From Strength to Strength Pattern of Suffering

From Strength to Strength: Pattern of Suffering

Pattern of Suffering (11:27– 12:4)

These “prophets” (v. 27) were Christians who ministered in the local assemblies and revealed the Word of God.

That they came to Antioch from Jerusalem indicates that there was close fellowship between these two churches.
“All the world” in v. 28 can mean either all the Roman world or possibly only the land (Judaea).
The Gentile believers immediately sent material aid to the believers in Judea as an expression of Christian love.

This famine is important, for if we read Acts 2:44–45 and 4:31–35, we see that a vital change has taken place in the Jerusalem church.

In Acts 2–7, the church at Jerusalem had no needs at all;

Period of Divine Protection

So much had to get established and started
As a church matures, we assume that things will just get easier and easier
The church matures and …. Famine

11:27–30 we read that these same people were in need of outside help.

Several times in the Word we read of special aid sent to the “poor saints at Jerusalem” (Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1ff.; 2 Cor. 8–9).

11:30 elders. This is the first mention of the men who were pastor-overseers of the churches (15:4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4; 21:18); i.e., a plurality of godly men responsible to lead the church.

They soon began to occupy the leading role in the churches, transitioning from the apostles and prophets, who were foundational (cf. Eph. 2:20; 4:11).[1]

What happened?

There are seasons: A time of prosperity, A time of turmoil

Not only did famine hit the area but

12:1

Cool Points to Ponder

The Herods were Edomites, descendants of Esau. In one sense, we see Esau persecuting Jacob again, for “James” is simply another form of the name Jacob! This persecution is a picture of the time of tribulation the Jews will endure in the last days.[2]

Pattern of Prayer

Passover - This ceremony would last eight days, after which Herod promised to kill Peter to please the Jews.

For safety’s sake, he assigned four relays of four guards each to watch Peter.

Two were at his side and two at the cell door.

“But constant prayer was offered to God” (v. 5). How thrilling those words are to the believer!

When Satan does his worst, Christians can turn to God in prayer and know that He will work.

Spirit used Peter to the example for use to be able to live within God’s will

(1) his own personal experience (vv. 5–11),
(2) the leading of the Spirit (v. 12), and
(3) the Word of God (v. 16).

How could Peter be so peaceful when he knew that he had only a short time to live?

The prayer of the church certainly helped him, but Christ’s promise in John 21:18–19 must have sustained him.

Peter knew that he would not die until he was older, and that his death would not be by the sword (as with James, v. 2), but by crucifixion.
Faith in the Word of God gave him peace.
If we will but trust Christ’s promises, we will have that same peace in the midst of tribulation.

The angel delivered Peter, but note that he did not do for the apostle what he could do for himself.

The angel released him from the chains and led him out of the prison, but he told Peter to put on his own shoes, dress, and follow.
When Peter was safely on the outside, the angel left him to make his own decision.
We can expect God to do the impossible if we obey and do the possible.

We should never underestimate the power of a praying church. They prayed fervently (v. 5), definitely, and courageously.

In spite of their unbelief when Peter did appear, God honored their prayers and drew glory to Himself.

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[1]MacArthur, John Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible. electronic ed., Ac 11:30. Nashville: Word Pub., 1997, c1997.

[2]Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament, Page 307. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997, c1992.