Becoming Conscious of Freedom

Acts 12:1–25 ESV

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, 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. 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. 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. 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!” 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. Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there. Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

           As we make our way through the book of Acts, it’s good to be aware not just of where things were happening but when things were happening. Being aware of the timeline helps us to notice as the church growing and spreading, did that happen overnight or did it take some time? Was the church constantly under threat of persecution or was that something that came and went? 

The book of Acts began with Jesus’ ascension. That’s believed to have happened sometime around the years 30-33. Since that point, we haven’t had a whole lot of details to give us more dates, but the end of chapter 11 did give us something. We read in verses 25 and 26 that Barnabas went and got Saul from Tarsus, and they did ministry together for a year in Antioch. If you were here in September, you may remember that Acts 9 verse 30 told us Saul was sent to Tarsus sometime after his conversion because his life was in danger. I mentioned in that sermon how Luke, the author, was about to do some time jumping based on what Galatians 1 and 2 tell us.

Saul, also known as Paul, wrote how after his conversion he went to Arabia, then Damascus, then three years later he went to Jerusalem, and then 14 years later he returned there with Barnabas. This seems to point to one of 2 events—either the Council that explicitly took place in Jerusalem in Acts 15 after Paul’s first missionary journey, or it’s what was captured in Acts 11:28-30. We read there that a severe famine was going on, and because of that, “The disciples…decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea [that likely includes the city of Jerusalem]…Sending their gift…by Barnabas and Saul.” That doesn’t tell us how many years went by, but Luke also told us that there was this famine during the reign of Claudius. Claudius is believed to have reigned from the year 41 to 54. Historians believe there was a great famine that happened sometime around 45-47. Notice how Saul’s timing fits right in there.  

That’s Saul, we begin our focus on his ministry next week. But today is the last time that we come across Peter really as the main character. Based on the timing of who’s ruling, this was likely the early 40s. I’m stressing these dates not just to teach, but for us to keep in mind we’re now over a decade since Jesus was on earth. Even though he was gone, the church was thriving. But with that, governments, rulers, and civilizations had also seen Christians weren’t going away. 

v. 2—James—son of Zebedee, one of the original 12

v. 12—John Mark—likely the author of the Gospel of Mark

v. 17—James—brother of Jesus, likely author of the book of James

           Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is a significant difference in being mocked for one’s faith occasionally by a single person or a few people and being imprisoned for one’s faith. There is a difference between having certain practices in our lives made fun of and people literally wanting to get rid of you who are willing to take action. There is a major difference between being viewed as old-fashioned or irrelevant or not having things the way we’ve traditionally had them and being at risk of losing your life. The first part of each of those comparisons are things that Christians in our country and other countries where Christianity has historically been the dominant religion likely have a greater tendency to face. They make living as a believer a bit uncomfortable. Sometimes, though, we label these things as “persecution.” By definition, they fit. Persecution means “hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs.” A believer who has been belittled can claim they’ve been persecuted.   

           But in a country and a culture as free as ours, we must be careful about overclaiming the gravity of our persecution. There are believers who have things far worse than we do. People for whom freedom is replaced by fear, for whom the choice of living out faith publicly is not just about choices, but it involves anxiety about harassment and threats of force. I received an email this week inviting prayer for 2 Christian men in India who were recently “released from prison after more than 10 years of unjust incarceration…accused of murdering a Hindu leader. They’re worried about being able “to find jobs and support their families since many in the area are still angry at them.” One of them is “afraid to go into the forest because of the risk of being attacked.” 

That is real persecution, real struggle, a real testing of one’s Christian faith; it’s a very real thing. That kind of persecution resonates with what we’ve heard Luke share in just the first 10-15 years after Jesus’ ascension. You can see on the screen the instances that we’ve come across so far: arrests, imprisonments, trials which at times included false witnesses, attempts to silence floggings, being stoned, having threats against one’s life, being unsure if you were safe in your own home. By the grace of God, in the past and the present, Christ’s church has endured. It prevails in the experience of and against persecution. 

But the reality of persecution also shows us that having faith in Jesus is offensive in the eyes of God’s enemies. Being a Christian is not always a safe life choice. It ought not be viewed as the easy or popular or painless way. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…”   

Where we’re focusing our attention in this passage today is not just Christians enduring persecution, but the freedom that God provides. We begin with the events happening around Peter, and we see how God gave him freedom to continue doing that which might take his freedom. I want us to be sure to grasp the lockdown that Peter was under. He was in jail, again. He had unexplainably gotten out before, so Herod ramped up the security. When we read four squads of four soldier, it’s likely meaning there were always four with him, who rotated out regularly. No one squad was left to cover the overnight shift and risk falling asleep. We also see Peter didn’t have the freedom to move around; he was bound in not just one but two chains. The soldiers weren’t just standing around, no, two of them were by his sides.  The others guarded the exit. 

The only way he escapes without a bribe or a militia attacking his guards was a miracle from God. That’s what happened! Maybe he had wondered if he was going to get out, but I imagine he was content, he had accepted that this was his lot. Yet, in the middle of the night, he was woken up by an angel. His chains fell off—yes, with alert guards by his sides, he was unshackled and left. If this seems too good to be true, Peter apparently thought the same thing. They went past all the guards, out a gate that opened for them, and into the city. Maybe it was like what you sometimes see on TV or in movies, that everything is frozen, except for one person. Maybe Peter could have flicked the ear of the soldiers or drawn on their faces, and they wouldn’t have even noticed. But finally, he realized, he became conscious, his freedom was real. After telling his friends, he then took off “for another place.”   

This was weighty persecution. Peter wasn’t awaiting trial to be sentenced with a $100 fine or 50 hours community service or a slap on the wrist. No, Herod had already executed James and was praised for that. He likely had the same sentence planned for Peter. 

God had other plans, though. It was not his will for Peter to die quite yet. We’re not told where exactly Peter went, but it’s doubtful that he used his freedom to retire out of ministry and go enjoy island life. No, God was giving him the opportunity to continue doing that which he was called to do. Peter was still called to share the good news, to tell people about Jesus, to keep doing that which could very well take his freedom and put him back in jail or put his life in danger again. 

There’s a challenge for us and for all Christians here. We ought to live with a willingness to suffer, a willingness to endure hardship, ridicule, and even pain for our faith—even if this obedient suffering leads to the end of our lives. But we also know that God can remove suffering, even if it’s just for a time, so that we would continue serving him. God may take away pain or imprisonment, so that his gospel might continue to spread and reach who he intends it to reach through particular people. God may choose to welcome people to their eternal home, that their suffering would be finished in death, but he can also choose to send people to other places for the furthering of his church. He may do so in such a way that releases them from current sufferings or persecutions—and their leaving is not cowardly or sinful. God can provide freedom to further his cause according to his will and plan. 

The other major piece of freedom that we find in our passage today is God gave the church freedom to pray.  When we read through Acts and many books of the Bible, it’s easy to focus solely on the big names, the familiar leaders, but we need to remember the ordinary believers as well. Some of them were suffering persecution themselves, but also in the family of God, we can share the sufferings of other believers. Peter was the one in jail, the one to be put on trial, but he was loved and cared about. Verse 5 told us the believers had gathered to pray. They were “earnestly praying to God for [Peter].”

Assumedly they were praying for his release, for his safety, for God’s provision for him, for his witness, maybe even praying that if this was the end of his life and ministry, that God would be glorified. They had gathered for prayer though, not just because they cared about Peter, but because they trusted God cared for them, too. They had been formed as believers in prayer. 

Just as persecution regularly arose for the early church, prayer also comes up repeatedly in the book of Acts. Both among the leaders and the ordinary believers, they prayed to God, they praised him, they sought his direction, they prayed through difficulty, they prayed for forgiveness—even praying for those who were persecuting them. No matter how much hardship they endured, God has always given the church the ability to pray at all times.

We share in this freedom to pray. It’s been official that we receive some instruction to do it though. What are we to pray for? This is from the Heidelberg Catechism questions and answers 117 and 118. I invite you to join on the responses. What is the kind of prayer that pleases God and that he listens to? First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, revealed to us in his Word, asking for everything God has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must fully recognize our need and misery, so that we humble ourselves in God’s majestic presence. Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord.  This is what God has promised us in his Word. What did God command us to pray for? Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord himself taught us.

What are you and I to pray to God for? Any need we have of any type. We’re to pray for God’s promises to be revealed, for his plans to be made clear, for us to understand what he desires in his world. We have to pray with humility and genuineness seeking God’s help. 

God has made sure and he continues today to make sure that nothing will interfere with the prayers of his people, with those who are seeking him. There’s no access code, no password that you need, so long as you believe in him. Human laws don’t take away our ability to pray. Think of Daniel—he was punished for praying to God, but he still prayed. Think of laws that try to limit where people pray as a group or as an official act—those laws don’t limit us from talking to God individually. Whether its each of us on our own or as a small group or as a corporate worshiping body, God listens to his peoples’ prayers.

When we hear the word “freedom,” maybe our minds jump right to the freedom that we have as American citizens. We place a high priority and value on that. That’s fine, but will we place an even higher priority and value on this freedom that God has given to us? Are we a praying people? Do we exercise that and exercise it in the freedom that trusts God will listen and intercede and act for us? Do we trust God’s ability to answer our requests, even to answer them in miraculous ways? Prayer is one of the greatest freedoms and privileges we have as the church. If God has listened to and provided for his people throughout all of history, will he not continue to listen and answer the prayers of all who call on him today? Let’s be a praying people

That brings us to our final point, our freedom comes in submission to God, not a freedom to try and be God. When we look at what Herod was trying to do, it’s clear that he wanted his power, his authority, to be viewed as greater than that of others. In his mind and in his rule, he was free to do whatever he wanted. If he wanted to get rid of Christians, not a problem. If he wanted to gain the support of certain groups, he was free to do whatever that took. In our human sinfulness, that kind of power and understanding of freedom corrupts so easily.

As we arrive at the final part of our passage, we witness Herod trying to freely take glory—to take an honor which does not belong to him or any other person. “[The people, his minions we might say] shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord stuck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” There’s an incredible contrast to the very next verse, “But the word of God continued to increase and spread.” Earthly power falls attempting to take freedom it does not have the right to, but God’s word succeeds in the freedom that God alone has.   

Brothers and sisters, we are a free people in the Lord. 1 Peter 2 verse 16 says, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” Paul writes in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers, were called to be free.” His intention there is to say free from the law—that’s not where your salvation is found, in your works. You’re free from sin—if the Spirit lives in you, you’re free to love, free to not live in fear, free from condemnation. “You…were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” He’s saying that freedom is not the same as licentiousness---doing whatever without regard for right and wrong, nor is it the same as promiscuity—living without discretion. No, our freedom is in service to one who has made us free, who has standards for us.   

What are we talking about? We have such great freedom because of what Christ has done for us. Dying on the cross, winning the victory over sin and death, he frees us from the chains of our sins. That’s a wonderful gift, but we must understand our freedom properly. 

Christ could have decided that he would us free from our sin, but then leave it all up to us to figure freedom out. The chains would rest by our sides, our dwelling would continue to be the prison cell, but we’d have to find the way out. But Scripture tells us Christ has not only released us from the chains of sin, but he has also helped us to become conscious, to be aware of and submit to the freedom he has given us.  His Holy Spirit helps us to know that we are free, and that Spirit lives in us prompting and teaching us the way to freedom. 

All of us have chains in our background. There is no way to get around that. There is no way to say that we never had those. For some of us, maybe those chains, those sins that held us down, those sins that ruled our lives are a little bit more recent than others. What needs to define us, though, what needs to shape our identity is that Jesus has freed us! He has come and either gently or violently struck us on the side, and he has made our chains falls off. 

So, as we close this morning, I want to ask you, are you free and are you living freely? Have you accepted Jesus into your life, have you asked for his forgiveness, and have you submitted to freedom under him? My prayer is that each of us can or will soon be able to say “yes.”  Let us leave our chains behind, knowing and enjoying Jesus’ salvation as our comfort, our plan, and our promise in this life and for the life to come. Amen.