Sermon Tone Analysis

This historical narrative, this true story of the miraculous is more than a story.

It is rich with theology and doctrine.

It challenges our faith and our belief system.

It reveals how we should act when faced with an evil world, an impossible situation, a world that desperately wants God to go away.

Doctrines - depravity, angelology, Christology, sovereignty, prayer, worship.

Conclusion: a theology of hope - The Briefing, Sept 20/19

The feasts of the church, the holy days, passover, feast of unleavened bread, day of atonement, feast of tabernacles

James the brother of John who would die of natural causes.

Not James the brother of Jesus who would lead the church and write James.

James the brother of John who would die of natural causes

God’s sovereignty trumps our human failings

God’s sovereignty trumps our human failings

Barclay

THERE now broke out upon the Church, and especially upon its leaders, a new wave of persecution instigated by King Herod.

Let us see briefly the various branches of the family of the Herods in their New Testament connections.

The first of the New Testament Herods is Herod the Great, who reigned from about 41 BC to 1 BC.

He is the Herod of Matthew 2, who was in power when Jesus was born, who received the wise men from the east and who massacred the children.

Herod the Great was married ten times.

Those of his family who cross the pages of the New Testament are as follows.

(1) Herod Philip I.

He was the first husband of the Herodias who was responsible for the death of John the Baptist.

He is mentioned, under the name of Philip, in Matthew 14:3, Mark 6:17 and Luke 3:19.

He had no official office.

He was the father of Salome.

(2) Herod Antipas.

He was the ruler of Galilee and Peraea.

He was the second husband of Herodias and consented to the death of John the Baptist.

He was also the Herod to whom Pilate sent Jesus for trial (Luke 23:7ff.).

(3) Archelaus.

He was the ruler of Judaea, Samaria and Idumaea.

He was a thoroughly bad ruler and was deposed and banished.

He is mentioned in Matthew 2:22.

(4) Herod Philip II.

He was the ruler of Ituraea and Trachonitis.

He was the founder of Caesarea Philippi, which was named after him.

In the New Testament, he is called Philip and is mentioned in Luke 3:1.

(5) Herod the Great had another son called Aristobulus; his mother was Mariamne, a princess who was descended from the great Maccabaean heroes.

He was murdered by his own father, but he had a son called Herod Agrippa.

This is the Herod of our present passage in Acts 12.

(6) To complete the list, we may note that Herod Agrippa was the father of: (a) Agrippa II, before whom Paul was examined and before whom he made his famous speech (Acts 25–6); (b) Bernice, who appeared with him when Paul was under examination; and (c) Drusilla, who was the wife of Felix, the governor before whom Paul was tried (Acts 24:24).

From this family history, it may be seen that Herod Agrippa of this chapter was a direct descendant of the Maccabees through his mother Mariamne.

He had been educated at Rome, but he carefully cultivated the good graces of the Jewish people by meticulously keeping the law and all Jewish observances.

For these reasons, he was popular with the people; and it was no doubt in order to achieve further popularity with the orthodox Jews that he decided to attack the Christian Church and its leaders.

Even his conduct in the arrest of Peter shows his desire to pacify the Jews.

The Passover Feast was on 14th Nisan; for that day and the seven days following, no leaven must be used, and the week was called the days of unleavened bread.

During that time, no trial or execution could be carried out, and that is why Herod decided to defer Peter’s execution until the week was finished.

The great tragedy of this particular wave of persecution was that it was not due to anyone’s principles, however misguided; it was due simply to Herod’s bid to gain popular favour with the people.

Acts 12:1-5

1.

A theology of total depravity - evil exists, man is sinful.

While we can go to Romans and see that all have sinned and there is no one who seeks God, let’s stick with what Luke has to say: “when he saw that it pleased the Jews” - that is a statement of pure evil.

And it was done during the holy feast of Passover.

We’re religious but we’re really happy you’re killing people.

2. A theology of prayer - James killed, Peter in prison, four squads of four soldiers each, earnest prayer, for him, was made to God, by the church.

The necessity of earnest, petitionary prayer.

God wants us to pray.

He wants us to pray for others.

He wants us to pray for change.

He wants us to pray for the impossible.

3. A theology of sovereignty and providence - We live in an evil world.

We pray but we don’t know that it will change anything.

Is God in control?

Does God care?

Notice that James was killed.

Can we assume that the church was praying for James?

I say yes!

They prayed for Peter.

Why does God allow evil rulers?

Why does God allow religious leaders to be so wicked?

Why does God allow good people to suffer and go through persecution and hardship?

We don’t know.

But Luke wants us to know that God is in control, he is aware, he is able to act.

And that leads us to our next section

Acts 12:6-

4. A theology of angels - the doctrine of angelology.

What does Luke teach about angels?

They are real, they do what God wants them to do (they are subject to the sovereignty of God), they are powerful, they talk, they have no problem telling you what you should do and how to do it, they can instantly appear and disappear.

How do we know this is good theology?

We are getting it from the bible!

5.

A theology of laughter - verses 13-16.

This is funny.

God has created human emotions.

He wants us to laugh.

Beware a theology that says true faith has a frown.

6.

A theology of faith - your faith does not limit God.

While there may be other parts of scripture that ask for great faith, this part of the bible says don’t get too carried away.

Think - God is able to do MORE!

7. A theology of Christ.

Christology - vs 17 - the Lord is responsible (but I thought it was the angel?)

The risen Lord Jesus is aware and willing to work and very much involved in your life.

Acts 12:18-

8.

A theology of worship - a refusal to acknowledge God (vs 18-19), a desire to be worshiped as a god (20-22), a refusal to give God the glory (23)

9.

A theology of grace - God is able to act immediately but he is graciously patient.

God is able to crush and instantly deal with bad people.

But here we see a glimpse of his gracious, patient love.

Acts 12:

10.

A theology of hope - God cannot be stopped.

God does answer prayer.

God does deal with evil people.

God does care.

God does a have a plan.