A Martyrdom and a Rescue Pt 1: The Politics

Focal Passage

The Politics

Herod The Great (Matthew 2)

Herod Antipas (Matthew 14, Luke 3), father of Bernice and Drusilla (Acts 24, 25)

Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12)

Herod Agrippa II (Acts 24, 25)

Herod Family Tree

Salome I Jamnia south of Joppa

Archelaus took Judea and Samaria

Antipas took Galilee and Perea

Philip Took over northeast provinces and Syra

Archelaus self-destructed and was sent to Gaul by Augustus and Roman prcurators and governors ruled Judea

Antipas’ banishment of first wife to marry his sister-in-law/niece Herodias and the death of Tiberius led to his banishment Gaul

Agrippa gained the land once ruled by his uncle Herod Antipas and Philip, but needed the property of Archelaus

His relationship with Claudius prior to being Caesar provided him with the final piece of the puzzle, and he is given Judea

Unlike Herod Antipas, Herod Agrippa had the authority to impose the death penalty

The Death of James is Likely a Political Move to Strengthen Relations with Populist Pharisees and Aristocratic Sadduccees

Acts 12:1–2 “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword,”

With a Good Response from the Death of James, Peter is Arrested

Acts 12:3–5 “and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”

A squad is four soldiers, so 16 soldiers rotating watch

He didn’t interrupt the observation of Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread

Bring him out to the people - to display him arrested

A Second Rescue

Acts 5

A Light, Chains Unlocked, and an Abrupt Wake-Up

Acts 12:6–10 “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. 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. 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.” 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. 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.”

Reality Kicks In

Acts 12:11–14 “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.” 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. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 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.”

The House of the mother of John Mark - Possibly where the last supper was held, Mark the author of the Gospel of Mark, put a pin in him

“You are out of your mind”

“Insane”

Acts 12:15 “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!””

3 Interpretations

Peter’s Ghost

A Guardian Angel

A Messenger

Time for Rest

Acts 12:16–17 “But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 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.”

James, the half-brother of Jesus

Went elsewhere

How can you help and encourage Christians who serve in difficult situations?

Spoke with Noah

Spoke with a pastor from Ukraine

Wednesday 8/12 Missions report from Albrights in Spain

For what missionary can you pray throughout this week?