Set Me Free: A Pattern for Biblical Deliverance

Acts 12:5–17 “5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 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. 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. 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.”

Introduction

Deliverance is a powerful work. Just using the term automatically assumes that there is some sort of captivity or constricting circumstance or addiction.

US one of the most addiction-afflicted nations on the planet: #1 Alcohol, #2 Tobacco & Nicotine, #3 Illicit Drugs (Opioids, Stimulants, Cannabis, Inhalants, Hallucinogens), Prescription Drugs, Coffee (Caffeine), Sexual addictions & Pornography, Gambling , Internet & Social Media, Food, Shopping, Gaming, Work, and on goes the list… —https://valleyspringrecovery.com/addiction/common/

There are many places in Scripture where God delivers people from the affliction/slavery:

Lame man at the temple, addressed by Peter & John (Acts 3:1-10)

Lazarus or any of Jesus’ miracles in ministry, but even many of those

Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law (Mt. 8:14-15)

Yet, even in most cases there was some personal steps the recipient took

Israel followed the fiery cloud out of Egypt

Israelites bitten by the snake looked at the bronze serpent (Num 21:4-9)

Naaman dipped in the Jordan 7 times (2 Kings 5)

Elisha made the stew non-poisonous (2 Kings 6:18-20)

Blind man, after Jesus mudded his eyes, was told to wash in a certain place (Jn. 9)

While we want God to do the work, he usually requires us to participate in the miracle.

Miracles often require movement

This is what we see in Acts 12

Peter’s remarkable release involves three parties and the parts they play:

God’s part

The angel:

showed up

illuminated the cell

struck & woke Peter (Greek indicates not a gentle tap)

removed the chains

opened the door and gate

led him out

God is the deliverer. He is in the business of setting captives free.

2 Corinthians 3:17 “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

When God shows up, chains fall off

Peter’s part

Peter had to obey:

get up

get dressed

put his sandals on

wrap his cloak around him

follow the angel out

God could have transported Peter as he did Phillip in Acts 8 26-40, but he did not

The angel was not going to fly or carry Peter out of his prison, and he was not going to dress him.

Peter had to prepare himself and follow the angel out of captivity

Deliverance begins with obedience

Church’s part

Acts 12:5 “5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”

Acts 12:12 “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.”

The church was praying when Peter was taken away; they were praying when Peter knocked on the gate.

God responded to the prayers of His people and freed Peter

How often have we prayed yet not seen the hand of God working?

How often have we awaited his deliverance without seeking him in prayer?

Prayer moves the arm of Omnipotence. — Ellen Gould White

God does not need our prayers to work, but he invites us to partnership through prayer

God can do it without us, but He’d rather do it with us.

Conclusion

Salvation is a relationship, not a transaction

Discipleship is a journey, not an event

Deliverance is usually a process, not an event