Acts 12 Part 2

Background

We left off with James becoming the first apostle martyred for his faith and Peter is arrested and Herod Agrippa is planning to do the same thing to Peter that he did to James right after the Feast of First Fruits.

Points

Acts 12:5 NKJV

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

As Peter is in prison, constant prayer is offered for Peter. The church had seen what had happened to James and they realize if they don’t do something that same fate awaits Peter. So they do the only thing that they can do pray. Notice when it came to James it does not mention any prayer. It is very possible that the church would hold James a little while, reprimand him and sent him on the way. When the church saw the outcome they got serious about Peter.

Acts 12:6 NKJV

And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.

I love this because quite often we see Peter sleeping. Remember what Jesus said to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane Matthew 26:40-41 (NIV) 40  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Think about what Peter knows. He knows that James has been killed by the sword. He probably has heard that he faces the same fate tomorrow. If that was you and me would we be sleeping. He might have taken the position, I will be in heaven tomorrow.

Or, and this is the one I am tending to. Jesus told Peter how he was going to die and dying by the sword was not it. So, he knew something else was in store for him tomorrow but he was not dying tomorrow.

John 21:18-19 (NKJV) 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19  This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me."

Jesus told Peter he was going to be crucified- Stretch out your hands. And Peter died by Crucifixion but he requested to be hung upside down.

Jesus also told him that he would be an old man. Peter was born 1 AD and Agrippa reined from 37 AD to 41 AD. So the oldest Peter could have been was 40 and the youngest 36. In either case that was not an old man.

Acts 12:7–8 NKJV

Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”