The Result of Earnest Prayer

INTRO

The book of Acts really shows the walking out, of all the disciples were taught in the Gospel of Luke. In Acts 12, the situation is one of life and death. Wiersbe describes Acts 12 as a wake-up call as Psalm 34:15–16 comes to life.¹The eyes of the Lord are watching (1 Peter 3:12).

TEACHING

Acts 12:1–5: The chapter begins with the report that Herod cruelly attacked some in the church and even killed James, the brother of John (vv. 1–2). James was the first of the apostles to be martyred. King Herod, also known as Herod Agrippa I, was the grandson of Herod the Great who put all the babies to death at the time of Jesus’ birth and ruled from AD 37–44. Herod was also a nephew of Herod Antipas who executed John the Baptist.²Herod had run up debts in Rome and then escaped to Palestine where he was appointed ruler over northern Palestine. In time, Herod cemented power with Rome by developing a relationship with the Jews.³

When Herod saw that his actions had pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter as well and put him under multiple guards (vv. 3–4). This was Peter’s third arrest (Acts 4:3; 5:18). The situation had become more intense for the apostles, and they would all have to determine if they were willing to die for the gospel. While Peter was in prison, the church earnestly prayed (with fire and tears) for his release (v. 5). Wiersbe points out that because “God sees our trials” and He “hears our prayers,” God was fully aware of what Herod was doing.⁴

Acts 12:6–10: The guards were around Peter at all times. Although Peter’s execution was scheduled for the next day, Peter was sleeping (v. 6). Peter had found peace in his prison (Philippians 4:6–7). Then an angel of the Lord appeared while a light shone. The angel hit Peter in the side to wake him up and told him to get up, get dressed, and follow him. The chains simply fell off Peter’s wrists (vv. 7–8). Thomas Watson said, “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.” Peter and the angel walked out of the prison, past the guards, and then stood by as the iron gate opened by itself. When they got to the street, the angel left (v. 10).

Acts 12:11–14: Peter understood God had rescued him from Herod through His angel (v. 11). Then Peter went to Mary’s house, where many of the believers had gathered to pray (v. 12). The progression of prayer went like this:

1. The people were praying.
2. They were praying earnestly.
3. They prayed night and day, perhaps for a week or more.
4. Their prayers were centered specifically on Peter’s deliverance.

Peter knocked at the door and a servant answered (v. 13). The servant was so shocked at Peter’s presence she forgot to open the gate and instead ran to tell the others Peter was there (v. 14).

Acts 12:15–17: Some of those praying told the servant she was crazy because it couldn’t have been Peter and must have been his angel (v. 15). MacArthur explains, “According to Jewish superstition, each person had his own guardian angel who could assume that person’s form.”⁵ They didn’t have enough faith to open the door. How many of us are often shocked when God answers our prayers? (“I do believe! Help my unbelief” Mark 9:24) Meanwhile, Peter continued to knock on the door until they answered it (v. 16). Peter told them what had happened in prison, asked his hearers to report to the other apostles, and then left (v. 17). Some suggest Peter left and traveled with his wife (1 Corinthians 9:5).

Acts 12:18–19: Peter’s disappearance was discovered at daybreak (v. 18). After a search, Herod had the guards executed and went to Caesarea (v. 19).

Acts 12:20–25: Herod had issues with Tyre and Sidon, two cities on the coast north of Caesarea. The leaders of Tyre and Sidon developed an alliance with Blastus, the king’s treasurer who was also in charge of the king’s bedchamber. At a set time, Herod delivered a speech before the people of Tyre and Sidon (vv. 20–21). Historian Josephus noted Herod’s robe was made of silver.⁶The listening people cried out that Herod was a god, not a man (v. 22). An angel of the Lord struck Herod down with an infection because he kept the glory for himself instead of giving the glory to God (v. 23) (Isaiah 42:8). And “God’s message flourished and multiplied” (v. 24) (1 Peter 3:12). Nelson’s Commentary emphasizes that Peter’s life was spared to go on and continue in ministry through “the sovereign will of God.”⁷

CLOSING

At the end of Acts 12, the story of Acts transitions from the preaching and evangelism of the apostles to the missionary journeys of Paul.