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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Acts Chapter 12 

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Luke
Date Penned: (63-70 AD)
Overview: Peter's Ministry (c 1-12)
Theme: The Expansion of the Church (c 8-12)
Message: An Angel Rescues Peter from Prison (v 1-30)

Acts 12 Commentary

(12:1-5) James is Killed and Peter is Imprisoned - The rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem (6:1) brought fierce opposition (8:1). Persecution often accompanies progress. Unable to stop the masses from embracing this new faith, the Jews launched a direct attack upon the Christian leaders. Beyond mere threats and warnings (see 4:18-21; 5:40), this time Herod had James executed and Peter arrested.

(12:6-19) Peter's Miraculous Escape from Prison - James was already dead. Peter was in prison. From a human perspective, the situation appeared terribly grim, but from a heavenly perspective, this was just another opportunity to display the infinite power of God.

(12:20-25) The Death of Herod Agrippa - Herod Agrippa’s fate should not surprise us. The Scriptures proclaim that pride goes before a fall. By foolishly setting himself against God and refusing to give him glory, Herod guaranteed his own disastrous demise.


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Prayer Works


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Acts Chapter 12. In our text today we see James was killed by Herod and Peter was arrested to be executed in the upcoming days. As Peter sat shackled in jail many gathered at Mary's house and prayed to have an Angel come and release Peter from Jail. In making application we see that prayer works as the hand of God moves as believers gather and pray. Today the hand of God still moves when believers gather and pray as they seek the Will of God. How about You? Do you see that Prayer Works? Let us learn from our text today and the Life of Peter to see that Prayer Works as we gather and Pray we will see the Hand of God move when we ask anything according to the Will of God.  

 

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Acts 12

Acts 12

 1Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

 3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

 4And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

 5Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

 6And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

 7And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

 8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

 9And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

 10When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

 11And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

 12And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

 13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

 14And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

 15And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

 16But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

 17But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

 18Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

 19And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

 20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

 21And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

 22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

 23And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

 24But the word of God grew and multiplied.

 25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.