ACTS LESSON 26

     We will begin this lesson in Acts 12:12 "And 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."

     In the last lesson, we saw Peter imprisoned for no reason at all,
except Herod wanting to please the Jews.  We saw, also, that the Lord
intervened on Peter's behalf and sent an angel to release him.  Peter,
at first thought he was dreaming, but quickly discovered that the Lord
had, indeed, released him.  Now we pick up when Peter goes to the home
where the Christians had been praying for him.  This prayer meeting
was at John Mark's mother Mary's house.

    Acts 12:13 "And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel
came to hearken, named Rhoda."

    We see that Rhoda had been assigned to watch and listen at the
door.  This was a very dangerous time for the Christians, and they
were very cautious.  This was in the middle of the night, and she was
afraid.

    Acts 12:14 "And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the
gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the
gate."

    She was so excited that she ran to tell the others, even before
she opened the gate.  She was really excited, and we do unusual things
many times when we get that excited.  Peter was well known by this
family, and Rhoda was probably a member of it.  He had stayed with
them many times before.  It would be a natural thing for her to
recognize Peter's voice.

    Acts 12:15 "And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she
constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his
angel."

    We see that even though they had been praying for his safe
release, they did not believe it.  This was probably because they knew
Herod to be an evil ruler.  They, also, remembered that he had James
killed with the sword.  Even though she kept telling them that Peter
was at the door, they believed the worst.  They thought Herod had him
killed and this was his angel at the door.  This is just like today.
We pray for a miracle and when it comes, we just can't believe it.
Possibly the prayers of these people have doubt and unbelief in them.

    Acts 12:16 "But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened
[the door], and saw him, they were astonished."

    Peter had been standing at the door knocking all this time.  They
were amazed when they saw him, because they were expecting him to die.
Even though they were praying for a miracle, they did not expect it to
happen.
    Acts 12:17 "But 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."

    Peter was trying to keep quiet, so that the authorities would not
find out where he had gone to hide.  He relates the story to them, how
the Lord had released his chains and opened the gate to let him out.
This James, here that Peter is speaking to, is the half brother of
Jesus. This James and Peter were leaders of the church at this time.
The reason it was so important to tell the brethren of this miracle
was to encourage them that God would be with them if the authorities
arrested them.  They were, perhaps, frightened by James the son of
Zebedee's being killed for the Word of God.

    Acts 12:18 "Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir
among the soldiers, what was become of Peter."

    You remember, that these soldiers who had been chained to Peter
were not even awakened when Peter's chains fell off.  They were in a
deep sleep and did not wake until the next morning.  They could not
explain what happened, because they slept through the whole thing.

    Acts 12:19 "And 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."

    We see, here, the intolerance of Herod.  He did not accept the
excuses of the soldiers.  He just had them killed.  Herod's fear is
showing in that he moved.  He felt these Christians had more power
than he had realized, so he moved to Caesarea by the sea.

    Acts 12:20 "And 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]."

    There was commerce going on between Tyre, Sidon, and Herod's
country in those days.  Herod's country sent food stuff to them in
exchange for other goods needed.  It seems that there was a limited
peace with them, similar to the cold war we have known in our
generation.  This Blastus was a personal servant to Herod.  He was
inside Herod's home, even taking care of Herod's clothing etc.  This
friendship Blastus had with these people, at the least, strained the
relationship he had with Herod.

    Acts 12:21 "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel,
sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them."

    Herod was dressed in the finest he had.  He was speaking to the
people.  His dress was so superior to the people around him, that they
thought of Herod as someone very special.

    Acts 12:22 "And the people gave a shout, [saying, It is] the voice
of a god, and not of a man."

    Many rulers, then and now, have been treated as if they were a
god, because of the control they have over the people and the
extravagant way they live.  The people have elevated Herod far above
what he should be.

    Acts 12:23 "And 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."

    Many ministers today need to take heed of this Scripture.  We must
all remember that the power that works in us is not our own, but His.
Kings are kings because God made them kings.  Great orators are good
speakers, because God gave them ability.  We see, here, the danger of
thinking that the great and wonderful things in our life are by our
own ability.  God will not tolerate this type of arrogance, whether it
be from one of His ministers or whether from a king.  Notice the
process of Herod's death.  He was eaten of worms and then he died.
All praise and honor goes to God.  We are only the container for His
power and glory.  It is not our power or glory, it is His.

    Acts 12:24 "But the word of God grew and multiplied."

We find that in the very worst of times, the gospel seems to grow the
most. Persecution seems to drive us on to bigger and better things.

    Acts 12:25 "And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when
they had fulfilled [their] ministry, and took with them John, whose
surname was Mark."

    We see, here, that Saul and Barnabas had returned, and were
probably here when they were praying for Peter to be released.  This
John Mark is not the same, probably, as John the beloved.  He was son
of this Mary whose home was used when they prayed for Peter's release.
I believe what happened to Herod, is just reward for him killing
James, the brother of John of Zebedee.  This John was probably a young
disciple and could learn from these seasoned ministers, so they took
him with them.

                                 Notes













                           Acts 26 Questions


1.  When Peter escaped from prison, where did he go?
2.  Who heard him knocking?
3.  What was her reaction?
4.  Why was it necessary to assign someone to watch the door?
5.  What time of day was this?
6.  Why does verse 14 say, "...she opened not the gate..."?
7.  What did she do instead?
8.  In verse 15, the disciples said what to her when she told them
    Peter was at the door?
9.  What explanation did they give that this was not actually Peter?
10. Did Peter go away? Explain.
11. When they did open the door, what did Peter caution them to do?
12. Who did Peter say had brought him out of prison?
13. Who did Peter tell them to go and tell?
14. Who were the two leaders of the church at this time?
15. When did the soldiers realize Peter was gone?
16. What did Herod do to the soldiers who guarded Peter?
17. Where did Herod move to?
18. What two was Herod highly displeased with?
19. What was the name of the king's chamberlain?
20. What was his duty toward Herod?
21. What did Herod do on a set day?
22. Who did the people say Herod was?
23. What did the angel of the Lord do to Herod?
24. Why did the angel of the Lord do this?
25. Was he eaten of worms before he died or after?
26. In spite of all this, what happened to the Word of God?
27. When Saul and Barnabas went out to minister, who did they take
    with them?

                                 Notes