A Deliverance Story

Acts 12:1–11 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 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. 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.”

Ironic Circumstances

Acts 12:1 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

Acts 12:2 ESV

2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

Acts 12:3 ESV

3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.

This whole thing is ironic because its jews oppressing and persecuting a people group right after their celebration of being delivered from the Egyptians who oppressed and persecuted them!

The Acts of the Apostles 1. Persecution and Arrest (12:1–5)

Without explanation, one apostle is executed but another is rescued, teaching the church to live with the mystery of God’s providence and to rely afresh in each situation on the mercy and continuing care of God (cf. 4:24–31)

Sometimes terrible circumstances will make absolutely no sense!

We can’t loose faith when circumstances are terrible

Earnest Prayer

Acts 12:4 ESV

4 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.

Acts 12:5 ESV

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

Acts A. A Powerful King and a Praying Church (vv. 1–5)

The persecution had now become universal in Israel or at least in Jerusalem, but this group of believers apparently considered no marches, sit-ins, or protests to demand their rights as a minority group. They did the one thing earnest Christians have always done—they prayed.

Prayer is a mighty weapon in the hands of God’s children

We must discipline ourselves to pray when circumstances are terrible AND GOOD

Peaceful Slumber

Acts 12:6 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.

You can have peace in the midst of terrible circumstances

Lean into God in trust when you think there is no hope.

Abrupt Awakening

Acts 12:7 ESV

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.

God usually has to wake us up to see when He is working around us.

Sometimes our wake up call is abrupt and painful

Miraculous Deliverance

Acts 12:8 ESV

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.”

Acts 12:9 ESV

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.

Acts 12:10 ESV

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.

God majors in miraculous deliverance

Miraculous deliverance still requires simple obedience

Acts has several moments where a miraculous deliverance comes just before a big ministry moment. God loves to deliver when the deliverance leads to faithful obedience to His mission.

Due Credit

Acts 12:11 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.”