ETB Acts 12:6-18

Cedric Chafee
ETB Summer 2024  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Session 13 - p.118 - Praying
God reigns sovereignly over all things in all places. God is also always loving. Sometimes, we think that we must choose between these two statements. We wonder how both can be true at the same time. Despite how our human logic plays out, though, the testimony of Scripture affirms that God controls all things and always acts in love toward those who have responded in faith to His call (Rom. 8:28). [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]
One of the ways God interacts with His people is through prayer. Although God is sovereign and has all things under His control we often fail to ask Him for the things we need.
Why some Christians are so hesitant to pray when they have a need?
Ask: How could deepening your understanding of God deepen your prayer life? (PSG, p. 118)
Transition: Prayer is a powerful tool for accessing a powerful God. Today’s study examines just how powerful prayer can be when we pray with faith and with the proper motivations.

Understand the Context

After his encounter with Cornelius, which we looked at briefly last week, Peter returned to Jerusalem and told the apostles and other Jewish believers what had happened. At first, they were concerned that Peter had fellowship with “uncircumcised men” (Acts 11:3). However, after he told them everything that had happened—from his vision of the sheet in Joppa to how the Holy Spirit had come upon Cornelius’s household in Caesarea—the Jewish believers in Jerusalem had no choice but to glorify God. They came to the same conclusion Peter had reached: The Lord had “granted repentance” and eternal life to the Gentiles (11:18).
Next, Luke recounted how God, in a wonderful example of His loving sovereignty, used Stephen’s death as a catalyst to advance the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. Luke specifically mentioned the city of Antioch as a place where both Jews and Gentiles heard, understood, and believed the gospel in unity. When the church in Jerusalem heard about Gentiles coming to Christ, they sent Barnabas to Antioch to investigate what was happening. After seeing that God was truly working among these new believers, Barnabas stayed true to His calling and to his name as the son of encouragement (11:23). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Barnabas left Antioch briefly to go find a new convert that was boldly speaking the gospel - Paul. He brought the new apostle back with him to Antioch where they ministered and taught for a year. This was also the time and place that the believers got a new name - Christian.
Next in Acts, Luke recounted two crises for the early church. First, a famine struck the region around Jerusalem, leading to physical suffering within the churches of Judea. Second, King Herod had begun an intense persecution of the church. He had executed James, the brother of John, before having Peter arrested.
Since the Jews were pleased with Herod’s attacks, the outlook for Peter was grim. Knowing that Peter was likely to face the same fate as James, the members of the Jerusalem church began praying for him intensely (12:5). As it turned out, God heard their prayers. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]

Explore the Text

Acts 12:6–10 ESV
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
Herod
This ruler was Herod Agrippa, and he was a member of a long line of leaders in Israel. His grandfather, Herod the Great, had tried to kill Jesus when He was an infant. Later, his father had beheaded John the Baptist and questioned Jesus on the night before His crucifixion.
For his part, this Herod had violently attacked the church (Acts 12:1-3). He had executed John’s brother, James; and, when that increased his popularity among the Jewish leaders and some of the people, he arrested Peter with the same intent.
History tells us that this Herod was corrupt, conniving, and calculating—just as his father and grandfather had been. All three of these men were false kings whose efforts to thwart the true King of the Jews always fell short. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
This story with Herod and Peter as the main characters is significant for us today. Herod had absolute political power, and some in our world claim or aspire to as well. Peter however did not trust or fear that because He was called by the one with True power. The fate of our government and our country is not determined by the votes on November 4th. The prayers we offer and the reliance in our Sovereign God is more trustworthy than whoever “claims” office.
Peter did not seem too concerned about Herod’s power either.
Peter was sleeping
Ask: Why do you think Peter was able to sleep so soundly?
John 21:18 “18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.””
I remember a story when Peter and the other 12 were thinking they were going to die from the boat sinking and woke Jesus us in their fear. It seems that Peter has now learned that level of peace and trust in Christ and God as he knows Herod intends to execute him just like James a few verses ago, but he is still able to go to sleep - and quite soundly.
sentries before the door
Luke lets us know that Peter is not just in prison but surrounded by guards. This seems to be more than normal because when Paul talked about being in prison in Rome he only mentioned the soldiers at his sides.
a light shone in the cell
These kinds of notes in biblical narratives always fascinate me and I try to understand the complex physics that these beings are able to manipulate. When the light shone on the Damascus Road, those with Saul/Paul saw it, here the guards did not. How do they bend light like that to prevent its perception? The Damascus Road companions heard the voice, although they did not understand it. In this prison, they did not even hear it at all. Do they manipulate the sound waves some how? Or are they able to prevent the ear drums of people from vibrating to prevent the perception of sound? One day, in the far distant future I am going to find these angels and ask them how they did these things.
He struck Peter
The Greek word for kick is not used, nor the word most used for striking with a hand, but this word is sometimes translated as “smite.”
All this lets me know that this was not a gentle touch but something a little more forceful, maybe enough to sting a bit. It also helps us infer just how soundly Peter was sleeping as He trusted God’s provision in the prison.
Get up quickly
In the past, Peter was the one that reacted “too quickly.” Now it seems that he is not moving fast enough for the angel. Having been told to stand up quickly, lets us also know that Peter was not sitting but laying down as he slept.
the chains fell off his hands
Just as soon as he did obey, the chains slid right off of his wrists to the ground. He must have just stood there without moving because the Angel kept telling him to do things.
Dress yourself
A couple of translations have “Gird yourself”, another one said, “put on your belt.”
Peter was probably not naked or disrobed but was not clothed in a way or prepared to travel and move quickly through the town.
Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.
Isn’t this how God usually directs us, small steps of obedience to greater freedoms.
The Angel did not kick Peter and say, “Get up, dress yourself, put on your sandals, wrap your clock around and follow me” all at once.
He gave a command, waited for Peter to obey, then gave the next step or two.
God know how much we can handle and once and always works within the the limitations that He placed within us. Some people are checkers people and only one or two steps can be remembered and followed. Other people like Cal, our cello player are Master Chess players and can think 10-12 steps ahead. God knows these and works with us to achieve maximum opportunity for growth through obedience.
Knowing this limitation has helped guide my prayers for me and Laura, as try to only ask for a the next few steps to be revealed, then ask to be faithful in them.
thought he was seeing a vision.
Peter was sleeping so well that even after he got up, he thought he was still sleeping.
This may help us understand a difference between dreams we have and visions from God. I can usually tell when I am dreaming, a vision must be more “realistic” since Peter, who has had at least two visions, was confused between actual events and a vision.
Have you ever mistaken a dream for real life?
It opened for them of its own accord
City gates are typically locked at night, so this would be even more astounding.
Exalting Jesus in Acts The Lord’s Peace Is Phenomenal

The “iron gate” opens the same way the stone was rolled away: by God’s mighty power. It opened “by itself” (automate¯ in Greek).

the angel left him
I think this may have been the final part to help Peter realized that it was not a vision. If the angel’s message was complete and the vision over, Peter would have “awoke” back in the cell. But now he finds himself dressed, outside the city gate, and alone - well almost.
Acts 12:11–14 ESV
11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate.
came to himself
“came to reach rational thought again.”
Once the escape was completed and he understood that was not dream or vision, he began to recognize the full situation. He immediately attributed it God’s work and His plan to thwart Herod’s and the Jewish leader’s plans.
v.12 Note that Peter’s first inclination was not to run away but to join friends who were praying for him. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
State: Sometimes, we talk a lot about prayer, but we don’t really get excited or express gratitude when we see a response.
rescued from Herod ... Jewish people were expecting
Herod had arrested Peter to please the Jews. There is a sad irony in Peter’s words here. The Jews should have been expecting the Messiah. They should have been expecting the message about the Messiah, the gospel. Instead, many of them wanted Herod to execute Peter just as he had executed James. Due to the sin of unbelief, the expectation of the people of Israel had been turned on its head.
Jesus said that His followers should expect to be persecuted and hated by the world (John 15:20). Later, Peter wrote that persecution is a normal part of the Christian life (1 Pet. 4:12-13).
We should not be surprised when persecution happens, and we should not expect the gospel to be welcomed by the world. However, we can rest in the knowledge that God is always seated on His throne and is still guiding history toward His appointed end. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
When he realized this (situation was real)
First, he was in a sleepy daze, then walking through the prison in mindless fog, snapping it out it finally once outside the gate. Now his mind is running through all the ramifications of what just occurred and the possible future consequences. As a good preacher and evangelist, he first thinks to go and tell someone about what God has done. This has the added benefit of getting him off the street if a search begins. This will also give him more time to think an pray about next steps.
Another aspect of what he was realizing was where outside the city he was and trying to determine the closest place to go share, praise, pray, and wait.
Rhoda - in her joy she did not open the gate
It is 2 or 3 am in the morning. Rhoda was probably the house servant or one of their children responsible for answering the door overnight. Typically, she would go find out who it was and the go to the appropriate head servant or the house leader to see if they wanted the person allowed in. Luke makes sure we understand that it was not duty, but “because of her joy” that she did not open the gate.
Acts 12:15–18 ESV
15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
You are out of your mind ... It is his angel!

This reflected the common Jewish belief in guardian angels. It also shows how serious the persecutions had become, for it was believed that your guardian angel would sometimes appear shortly after your death. Thus it seems the crowd of believers was better prepared to believe Peter had been executed than that he had been released.

I do not agree with the book’s conclusion about the angel statement. Herod would have already executed Peter if that was his only intent. He was a tyrant though and kept Peter overnight to draw a bigger crowd and create more of a spectacle to appease more people and attempt to squash this rising belief system. The Enemy still uses this same tactic today. The ministry to the Gentiles had been going on for more than a year now and the text does not say that all those gathered were former Jews.
First the people tell Rhoda that she is crazy, then as she insists that someone “is” there, they say she has misunderstood or misspoken.
The word for “angel” is the same one used in Revelation to describe the “messengers” to the seven cities. I think it is less likely that these believers thought Peter had already died, but that he had sent someone to them, and they thought the girl in her excitement or half-asleep state, may have misspoken meaning to say “from Peter” instead of “is Peter.”
Another question for heaven to ask what really happened. Thankfully, Peter kept knocking and that made sure someone else came to the door to validate the girl’s story.
They were amazed.
When supernatural events happen, we sometimes explain away God’s answer to prayer. However, God is certainly capable of answering our prayers, and we should pray with a sense of expectancy that He will act for His glory and for the good of His people. As we observe God answering our prayers, believers should celebrate His response. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
The trap that I fall into is that I only seem to praise God when He answers the prayers the “way I prayed” and not as often “as He answered.” God’s working for His believers is always for their good and His glory, even when it does not line up with “our plans.” His acting for His people should always be acknowledged and accepted with gratitude.
motioning to them with his hand to be silent
It is 2-3 in the morning. DO NOT make noise to arouse the Roman patrols, especially since Peter had just escaped from them. Once he can be heard, the apostle immediately recounts God’s incredible provision of freedom.
Tell these things to James and to the brothers
As you have heard it from me, go tell others. Just like Jesus had told him. God’s work of salvation, whether physical, political, or spiritual is good news and needs to be shared. Any work of God that you can praise Him for is worth telling another about. You may think it is just a little thing, but if the God of the Universe worked in it, that alone makes it a big deal. Share truth, Share praise, Share often.
Ask: How did you respond the last time the Lord granted your petition in prayer? Is there answered prayer you need to celebrate? (PSG, p. 125)
he departed and went to another place
The MacArthur Bible Commentary F. The Persecution by Herod (12:1–25)

Except for a brief appearance in chapter 15, Peter fades from the scene as the rest of Acts revolves around Paul and his ministry.

Luke the proficient storyteller leaves out the motives for this departure to allow his reader to wonders and think on God’s work.
What are some reasons that the escaped apostle may have left?
Transitional statement for the narrative as it shifts to Paul.
Noisy crowd is hard to hide or pray in.
As an apostle they may expect him to teach, and he needed time alone with God to learn his next steps.
If this was the first place he thought of coming, the Romans may think of it too and he would not want to add to their danger.
no little disturbance
From the tools I have, that is the literal translation of the words. Instead of exaggerating in the positive, Luke exaggerates in the negative. “no little disturbance” is the same as “big trouble.” The soldiers were “in a tizzy” partly because Peter was gone, and partly because they knew the consequences for “losing” or “loosing” a prisoner.

According to the Roman code of Justinian, soldiers who allowed a captive to escape would suffer the same penalty their charge was to suffer. Thus we see Peter was to be executed.

The next verse tells us that Herod’s wrath that was going to go onto Peter, unfortunately finds its mark on the guards. Luke probably adds this to emphasize what God had saved Peter from and to draw attention to the harshness of Herod which leads to his death.

This story encourages me a whole bunch because it shows that the Lord responds to prayer even when it’s not accompanied by a great deal of faith. These believers were praying fervently and intensely, but you cannot say they were praying the prayer of faith, since they didn’t even have enough faith to believe Peter was free when he was knocking at their gate! I like this story because I find myself praying a whole lot like them. I pray fervently, even intensely—but a lot of times I’m not sure anything’s going to happen. This story tells me that’s okay. God can still work through a tiny smattering of faith. Jesus said faith the size of a mustard seed—just a tiny bit of faith—can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). If you have faith enough just to pray, things can happen. Doors can open. Ask Peter!

You who feel imprisoned, boxed in, and as though nothing’s happening, in your job, in your family, in your ministry—take heart and take hope and pray anyway. Sometimes it takes only enough faith to pray for a miracle to happen.

Peter would later write these words:

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous—that’s why Peter had peace. The ears of the Lord are open to prayer—that’s why the church could pray. But the face of the Lord is against evil—that’s why Herod was about to perish

Apply the Text

Ask: How does your testimony include recognition of God’s answers to your prayers? With whom could you share this testimony? How have you celebrated God’s work in your life so others might glorify Him? (PSG, p. 126)
Share: Invite the group to share answered prayers that they still celebrate, whether those answers were recent or in the past. Lead the group to amen, applaud, or find other ways to celebrate each story shared.
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