Scripture Focus (Acts 12:1-17) – “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.” [12] 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. [13] And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. [14] 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. [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!” [16] But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. [17] 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.”
I. Warfare Was Intensifying (Acts 12:1-4)
A. An atmosphere of intimidation (Acts 12:1) – “…Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.”
B. A possibility of devastation (Acts 12:2) – “He killed James the brother of John with the sword.”
C. A climate of persecution (Acts 12:3-4) – “And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. …And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him…”
II. The Church Had Nothing but Prayer (Acts 12:5)
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
A. Peter’s imprisonment brought fear – who would be next?
B. Peter’s imprisonment brought confusion – how could this happen to the righteous?
C. Peter’s imprisonment called for continuous prayer – all of our dilemmas demand prayer
III. Peter Remained In Total Submission to God (Acts 12:6)
A. Time was running out – “…Now when Herod was about to bring him out…”
B. Escape was impossible – Peter was surrounded by two soldiers and chained with 2 chains, with extra guards posted outside the cell
C. Peter was at peace – “…Peter was sleeping…” Peter had surrendered his life to God. He chose not to worry.
IV. God Brought Supernatural Breakthrough (Acts 12:7-11)
A. God sent help (Acts 12:7a) – “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.”
B. God sent instruction (Acts 12:7b, 8) – “He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly…Dress yourself and put on your sandals…Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
C. God released freedom (Acts 12:7c-11) – “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…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…[11] When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me…”
V. The Believers Were Full of Wonder (Acts 12:12-17)
A. They had been asking God to intervene (Acts 12:12) – “…where many were gathered together and were praying…”
B. Their faith was not perfect (Acts 12:13-15) – “You are out of your mind…it is his angel!”
C. God was not limited by imperfect faith (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.