When the Church Prays
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5 So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer was being made earnestly to God for him by the church.
6 On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him up and said, “Quick, get up!” Then the chains fell off his wrists. 8 “Get dressed,” the angel told him, “and put on your sandals.” And he did so. “Wrap your cloak around you,” he told him, “and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed, and he did not know that what took place through the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 After they passed the first and second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went outside and passed one street, and immediately the angel left him.
11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many had assembled and were praying. 13 He knocked at the door in the gateway, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer. 14 She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gateway.
15 “You’re crazy!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, “It’s his angel!” 16 Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.
17 Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he explained to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Report these things to James and the brothers,” he said. Then he departed and went to a different place.
18 At daylight, there was a great commotion among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter. 19 After Herod had searched and did not find him, he interrogated the guards and ordered their execution. Then Herod went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Acts 12:5
Sub: When The Church Prays
Sub: When The Church Prays
Intro:
Intro:
A man whose house lay in the path of oncoming water stood out on his front porch when National Guardsmen came by in a jeep. "Get in," they said, "the big water is headed this way." The man replied, "God will help me. I'm staying right here." As the water began to rise, he went up to the second story and looked out at a boat, again intent on rescue. He responded the same way: "God will help me. I'm staying right here." Finally, the rising floods drove him to the roof where a passing rescue helicopter spotted him and shouted over the loud speaker, "Your whole house will soon be covered. We'll drop a rope ladder, and you can climb up to safety." Again the man shouted up to his would-be deliverers, "God will help me. I'm staying right here." As the story goes, the man drowned and went to heaven where, after an appropriate wait, he was granted an audience with God. He complained in no uncertain terms that his faith had been real; he had expected God's miraculous deliverance in some way. Why had God let him down? Letting the man unload his whole story, God finally replied, "What do you mean I let you down? First, I sent you a jeep; then I sent you a boat; then I sent you a helicopter, and you turned them all down." God works through natural means as well as supernatural. Many places in the Bible, we see a situation changing without the distinct characterization of a miracle. Where the text clearly describes a miracle, we should not shy away from claiming a miracle happened. When an angel appears in light, chains fall off, and a large iron gate opens automatically, we can probably chalk it up to a miracle, not intervention of natural causes. The key lesson of this chapter certainly focuses on the sovereignty of God. He chose and designed the fascinating miracle which caused Peter's deliverance. At the same time he did not ignore James. For reasons known only to him, God determined that James' ministry on earth was finished. No matter how much the believers may have thought his presence necessary. No matter that James himself may have considered and expected a significantly longer term of service.
A man whose house lay in the path of oncoming water stood out on his front porch when National Guardsmen came by in a jeep. "Get in," they said, "the big water is headed this way." The man replied, "God will help me. I'm staying right here." As the water began to rise, he went up to the second story and looked out at a boat, again intent on rescue. He responded the same way: "God will help me. I'm staying right here." Finally, the rising floods drove him to the roof where a passing rescue helicopter spotted him and shouted over the loud speaker, "Your whole house will soon be covered. We'll drop a rope ladder, and you can climb up to safety." Again the man shouted up to his would-be deliverers, "God will help me. I'm staying right here." As the story goes, the man drowned and went to heaven where, after an appropriate wait, he was granted an audience with God. He complained in no uncertain terms that his faith had been real; he had expected God's miraculous deliverance in some way. Why had God let him down? Letting the man unload his whole story, God finally replied, "What do you mean I let you down? First, I sent you a jeep; then I sent you a boat; then I sent you a helicopter, and you turned them all down." God works through natural means as well as supernatural. Many places in the Bible, we see a situation changing without the distinct characterization of a miracle. Where the text clearly describes a miracle, we should not shy away from claiming a miracle happened. When an angel appears in light, chains fall off, and a large iron gate opens automatically, we can probably chalk it up to a miracle, not intervention of natural causes. The key lesson of this chapter certainly focuses on the sovereignty of God. He chose and designed the fascinating miracle which caused Peter's deliverance. At the same time he did not ignore James. For reasons known only to him, God determined that James' ministry on earth was finished. No matter how much the believers may have thought his presence necessary. No matter that James himself may have considered and expected a significantly longer term of service.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
Deliverance and Death. Often in applying this passage, we focus on God's deliverance of Peter in answer to fervent prayer (vv. 5-11) and ignore the Death of James, which resulted in martyrdom (v. 2). This is how I approached this passage for several years. But the fact that Luke has placed these two events side by side suggests that the two ways in which God's sovereignty is expressed—Deliverance and Death—should both be considered when thinking about God's help in times of trouble. What is common to these situations is that both Peter and James were faithful to Christ. Just as the disciples earnestly prayed for Peter's release (v. 5), we too have the freedom to pray earnestly for deliverance. But we must leave it to God to let his sovereignty over a situation be expressed in the way he regards best. What is most important is that, like James and Peter, we remain faithful and obedient to God regardless of the outcome of a crisis we face.
This part of the context is one of the most exciting and most humorous scenes in the whole book: exciting, because Peter was in jail and was prayed out by a faithful, fervent, praying church; humorous, because this praying church didn't really believe God had answered their prayer even when they had their answer in the flesh at the front door of their prayer meeting. This chapter teaches a great deal about prayers, answers, and the God who is behind them all.
Deliverance and Death. Often in applying this passage, we focus on God's deliverance of Peter in answer to fervent prayer (vv. 5-11) and ignore the Death of James, which resulted in martyrdom (v. 2). This is how I approached this passage for several years. But the fact that Luke has placed these two events side by side suggests that the two ways in which God's sovereignty is expressed—Deliverance and Death—should both be considered when thinking about God's help in times of trouble. What is common to these situations is that both Peter and James were faithful to Christ. Just as the disciples earnestly prayed for Peter's release (v. 5), we too have the freedom to pray earnestly for deliverance. But we must leave it to God to let his sovereignty over a situation be expressed in the way he regards best. What is most important is that, like James and Peter, we remain faithful and obedient to God regardless of the outcome of a crisis we face.
When the Church prays God want to show us three things:
When the Church prays God want to show us three things:
I. He Want to show us His Will
I. He Want to show us His Will
6. On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.
6. On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.
6 On the night before Herod was to bring him out for execution, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the sentries in front of the door guarded the prison.
A. His Will for Peter
A. His Will for Peter
"Herod would have brought him forth, the same night" (). Peter was rescued in the nick of time. That very night of the rescue was the night Herod was scheduled to do more evil to Peter (probably kill him inasmuch as killing James made the Jews happy).
John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts, (Clinton, Iowa: LBC Publications, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 127.
"Herod would have brought him forth, the same night" (). Peter was rescued in the nick of time. That very night of the rescue was the night Herod was scheduled to do more evil to Peter (probably kill him like he killed James to make the Jews happy).
God's providence saved Peter but not James. Why? Very simply, it was time for James to join his Lord and receive the fruit of his labor for work done here on earth. Peter's work was not yet done. We must always remember, the day when we are to go home Lord does come. God's will may be for the believer to suffer and bear martyrdom for His name's sake. God's plan may be to use the persecuted believer's faithfulness as a testimony to reach others.
"Herod would have brought him forth, the same night" (). Peter was rescued in the nick of time. That very night of the rescue was the night Herod was scheduled to do more evil to Peter (probably kill him like he killed James to make the Jews happy).
God's providence saved Peter but not James. Why? Very simply, it was time for James to join his Lord and receive the fruit of his labor for work done here on earth. Peter's work was not yet done. We must always remember, the day when we are to go home Lord does come. God's will may be for the believer to suffer and bear martyrdom for His name's sake. God's plan may be to use the persecuted believer's faithfulness as a testimony to reach others.
B. His Will for Peace
B. His Will for Peace
There is the pattern of confidence. Confidence in God's will and care delivered Peter (). Note that Peter was asleep, and it was the very night before his execution. Christ was meeting His dear servant's need, infusing him with His very special grace and peace. Peter sensed the very special trust and care of his Lord.
There is the pattern of confidence. Confidence in God's will and care delivered Peter (). Note that Peter was asleep, and it was the very night before his execution. Christ was meeting His dear servant's need, infusing him with His very special grace and peace. Peter sensed the very special trust and care of his Lord.
The Delay of Deliverance Peter had been in prison for some days, at any rate, and the praying had been going on all the while, and there was no answer. Day after day "of the unleavened bread" and of the festival was slipping away. The last night had come, "and the same night" the light shone and the angel appeared. Why did Jesus Christ not hear the cry of these poor suppliants sooner? For their sakes; for Peter's sake; for our sakes; for His own sake. For the eventual intervention at the very last moment, and yet at a sufficiently early moment, tested faith. And look how beautifully all bore the test. The man that was to be killed tomorrow is lying quietly sleeping in his cell. Not a very comfortable pillow he had to lay his head upon, with a chain on each arm and a legionary on each side of him. But he slept; while he was asleep Christ was awake, and the brethren and sisters were awake. Their faith was tested, and it stood the test, and thereby was strengthened. And Peter's patience and faith, being tested in like manner and in like manner standing the test, were deepened and confirmed.
The Delay of Deliverance Peter had been in prison for some days, at any rate, and the praying had been going on all the while, and there was no answer. Day after day "of the unleavened bread" and of the festival was slipping away. The last night had come, "and the same night" the light shone and the angel appeared. Why did Jesus Christ not hear the cry of these poor suppliants sooner? For their sakes; for Peter's sake; for our sakes; for His own sake. For the eventual intervention at the very last moment, and yet at a sufficiently early moment, tested faith. And look how beautifully all bore the test. The man that was to be killed tomorrow is lying quietly sleeping in his cell. Not a very comfortable pillow he had to lay his head upon, with a chain on each arm and a legionary on each side of him. But he slept; while he was asleep Christ was awake, and the brethren and sisters were awake. Their faith was tested, and it stood the test, and thereby was strengthened. And Peter's patience and faith, being tested in like manner and in like manner standing the test, were deepened and confirmed.
II. He want to show His Work
The Angel's Descent (12:7a)
II. He want to show His Work
The Angel's Descent (12:7a)
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison.
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison.
Luke uses an interesting word for prison. It is oikēma, a word that occurs only here in the New Testament. It literally means dwelling. The Lord's continuing presence in that prison had converted Peter's cell into a home. Peter had quietly made himself at home in those uncongenial surroundings. If it was the Lord's will for him to be committed to prison, he would be contented in prison. And that was how the Lord's angel found him—restful and relaxed as though he were at home in bed and the armed guard his honored guests.
Luke uses an interesting word for prison. It is oikēma, a word that occurs only here in the New Testament. It literally means dwelling. The Lord's continuing presence in that prison had converted Peter's cell into a home. Peter had quietly made himself at home in those uncongenial surroundings. If it was the Lord's will for him to be committed to prison, he would be contented in prison. And that was how the Lord's angel found him—restful and relaxed as though he were at home in bed and the armed guard his honored guests.
How the angel would tell that story when he arrived back in glory! It is generally inferred that the angel was Peter's guardian angel. Jacob had an angel who protected him from Laban (). Daniel had an angel who protected him from the lions (). Little children have their angels who report to God's throne any mistreatment they receive (). Paul had an angel who strengthened him when on board the sinking ship (). The Holy Spirit tells us that angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" ().
How the angel would tell that story when he arrived back in glory! It is generally inferred that the angel was Peter's guardian angel. Jacob had an angel who protected him from Laban (). Daniel had an angel who protected him from the lions (). Little children have their angels who report to God's throne any mistreatment they receive (). Paul had an angel who strengthened him when on board the sinking ship (). The Holy Spirit tells us that angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" ().
The Angel's Demand (12:7b-9)
The Angel's Demand (12:7b-9)
And he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And 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. And 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.
Peter, naturally enough, thought he was still asleep and having a particularly delightful but impossible dream. We do not know why the angel demanded haste. He certainly could not have been afraid of the guards. Indeed, all his dealings with Peter seem to have been somewhat brusque. He gave him a blow on the side to wake him up, then curtly ordered him to quickly get up, put on his coat, and follow him.
Peter, naturally enough, thought he was still asleep and having a particularly delightful but impossible dream. We do not know why the angel demanded haste. He certainly could not have been afraid of the guards. Indeed, all his dealings with Peter seem to have been somewhat brusque. He gave him a blow on the side to wake him up, then curtly ordered him to quickly get up, put on his coat, and follow him.
III. He want to show a Witness
III. He want to show a Witness
five things happened: 1) The angel brought some light, or perhaps he simply glowed. 2) He struck Peter. Being sound asleep, Peter probably did not appreciate that! 3) The angel told him to “Quick, get up!” 4) Peter’s chains fell off. 5) Peter must have been groggy, because the angel had to tell him how to get dressed: “Put on your clothes and sandals.… Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
III. He want to show a Witness
It was God's sovereign will for Peter to be delivered. It was not His will for James to be delivered. The true believer rests in God's sovereign will, knowing that God's will results in the greatest blessings. Peter thought he was having a vision (), that he was in some semi-conscious state, dreaming of God delivering him. Peter was startled; it took a moment to collect his thoughts and grasp what had happened. When he did, he realized... • that God had delivered him by His sovereign will. • that God still had a purpose for him on earth. • that he still had a ministry to perform for the Lord. He quickly sized up the situation and fled the city, for he knew Herod would have the soldiers searching for him as soon as his escape was discovered. But before fleeing, Peter decided to quickly visit the house of Mary (the mother of John Mark), hoping some of the believers were gathered there. He needed to let them know God had delivered him and where he was fleeing.
III. He want to show a Witness
It was God's sovereign will for Peter to be delivered. It was not His will for James to be delivered. The true believer rests in God's sovereign will, knowing that God's will results in the greatest blessings. Peter thought he was having a vision (), that he was in some semi-conscious state, dreaming of God delivering him. Peter was startled; it took a moment to collect his thoughts and grasp what had happened. When he did, he realized... • that God had delivered him by His sovereign will. • that God still had a purpose for him on earth. • that he still had a ministry to perform for the Lord. He quickly sized up the situation and fled the city, for he knew Herod would have the soldiers searching for him as soon as his escape was discovered. But before fleeing, Peter decided to quickly visit the house of Mary (the mother of John Mark), hoping some of the believers were gathered there. He needed to let them know God had delivered him and where he was fleeing.
Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "".
Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "".
Ajith Fernando, NIV Application Commentary, The – Acts: From biblical text...to contemporary life, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 364.
Ajith Fernando, NIV Application Commentary, The – Acts: From biblical text...to contemporary life, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 364.
John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts, (Clinton, Iowa: LBC Publications, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 127.
John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts, (Clinton, Iowa: LBC Publications, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 127.
, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "B. The Jerusalem Church is Miraculously Protected: God's Pattern For Deliverance from Persecution, 12:1-25".
, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "B. The Jerusalem Church is Miraculously Protected: God's Pattern For Deliverance from Persecution, 12:1-25".
Alexander Maclaren, “Peter's Deliverance from Prison,” in Classic Sermon Series – Classic Sermons on the Apostle Peter, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1995), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 10. Peter's Deliverance From Prison".
Alexander Maclaren, “Peter's Deliverance from Prison,” in Classic Sermon Series – Classic Sermons on the Apostle Peter, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1995), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 10. Peter's Deliverance From Prison".
John Phillips, The John Phillips Commentary Series – Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1986), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 227.
John Phillips, The John Phillips Commentary Series – Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1986), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 227.