Times of public distress and danger should be especially praying times for the church. However God’s people are surrounded, there is always a way open heavenward, nor can the strongest bars intercept His power. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.
Key Word: Delivered, Act_12:11. PNT
The Death of John’ Brother James and the Arrest of Peter
Act 12:1 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them;
Act 12:2 and James, John's brother, he beheaded.
Act 12:3 Finding that this gratified the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also; these being the days of Unleavened Bread.
King Herod :Herod the king; not Herod the great that slew the infants at Bethlehem, nor Herod Antipas that beheaded John, but Herod Agrippa; and so the Syriac version adds here, "who is surnamed Agrippa"; he was a grandson of Herod the great, and the son of Aristobulus:
It was a time of Famine and also just the Passover at the feast of Unleavened bread which lasted 7 days. Herod had Peter arrested.
Act 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison; but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf.
but long and fervent prayer was offered to God by the Church on his behalf.
“ The church was informed of his imprisonment and danger, and had no resource but to apply to God by prayer. In scenes of danger there is no other refuge; and the result shows that even in most discouraging circumstances God can hear prayer. Nothing scarcely could appear more hopeless than the idea of rescuing Peter out of the hands of Herod, and out of the prison, and out of the custody of sixteen men, by prayer. But the prayer of faith Was prevalent with God.
Without ceasing - Intense, steady, ardent prayer. The word used here ἐκτενής ektenēs is found in only one other place in the New Testament, 1Pe_4:8, “Have fervent charity among yourselves.” The word has rather the idea that their prayer was earnest and fervent than that it was constant.”
The Angelic Visitation to the Jail where Peter was held. The rescue.
Act 12:6 Now when Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison, that very night Peter was asleep between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards were on duty outside the door.
Act 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell; and, striking Peter on the side, he woke him and said, "Rise quickly." Instantly the chains dropped off his wrists.
Act 12:8 "Fasten your girdle," said the angel, "and tie on your sandals." He did so. Then the angel said, "Throw your cloak around you, and follow me."
Act 12:9 So Peter went out, following him, yet could not believe that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he saw a vision.
Act 12:10 And passing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. This opened to them of itself; and, going out, they passed on through one of the streets, and then suddenly the angel left him.
Act 12:11 Peter coming to himself said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating."
'For when he was awakened out of sleep, what with the uncommon light, which shone around him, and with the appearance of the angel, and the chains dropping from his hands, and his surprising escape through the several wards, together with the iron gate opening of itself, he was so filled with amazement, that he was not himself; he could scarcely tell whether he was in the body or not, and whether he was in a dream or a trance, or whether he saw a vision or not; but upon the angel's leaving him he came to himself, the amazement wore off, and he found himself thoroughly awake, and perfectly in his senses, and that the deliverance was real: and then,
he said, now know I of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel; this was a thanksgiving to God, and an acknowledgment, that the deliverance, though it was by the ministry an angel, yet was owing to the goodness and power of God; it was God that sent his angel, and the salvation was of the Lord's doing, and it was marvellous in the eyes of Peter, and gratefully owned by him: J.Gill
Applications.
1. Are you in a dangerous situation God can rescue you as he did to Peter.
2. Prayer has a vital part to play and it should be earnest and sustained.
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