October 27

Acts 12:1-19

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. 2 He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. 3 After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. 6 The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." 9 Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." 12 As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 On recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel." 16 Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. 17 He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, "Tell this to James and to the believers." Then he left and went to another place. 18 When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.

The church in Jerusalem is now facing opposition from the religious authorities and now the civil authorities. Herod is known to Luke’s hearers as the one who had put John the Baptist to death. He conspired with Pilate in the death of Jesus. He is more of a political operative than great leader. The death of James is seen as being politically positive, so he acts by imprisoning Peter.

The fact that it comes during the Passover Festival, Feast of Unleavened Bread, is worth noting. This festival of God’s deliverance of Israel from bondage to slavery is now celebrated by Peter in bondage. God acts yet again to deliver the people of God. Even as the church is praying for Peter, he is freed.

Even Peter is at a loss to describe what happened. It seemed like it was a dream. He is escorted from prison and appears at the door of a house where the believers are gathered. The church now moves from a reality where public proclamation is possible to a place where things are said and done in secret. Jesus will be proclaimed, but not necessarily in public places.

Peter goes north to Caesarea. The guards are executed, for political types need scapegoats. The gospel will be proclaimed. The realities of the reception now change. The movement of the gospel has gone from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and now we move to the rest of the world.
Reflection questions:
1. How does adversity work to the church’s advantage?
2. The church is surprised when their prayers on Peter’s behalf are answered by his appearance. How are the answers to our prayers often surprises that we did not expect?
3. How does the political events of the world affect the church?