Learning from Acts -- Part 7

This is Part 7 in the Learning from Acts Series, for Part 1, click here.

Peter's Imprisonment, the Power of Prayer and Herod's Death

• In chapter 12 of Acts, Herod imprisoned Peter after he had executed James, Jesus' disciple not brother. He saw how the people were happy that James was killed, so he intended to do the same to Peter.
• "He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also...After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each." --vs. 12:2-3,4
• The Church learned of Peter being in jail and prayed for him continously.
• "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." -- vs. 12:5
• "...where many people had gathered and were praying." -- vs. 12:12
• The night before his trial, an angel of the Lord came and rescued him.
• "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell...Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision...Then Peter came to himself and said, 'Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish poeple were anticipating.'" -- vs. 12:7,9.11
• The power of prayer is evident in this passage. Although God knew all along how Peter's story was going to unfold, He no doubt heard the earnest prayers of His Church. They had gathered together for Peter, most likely praying for his safety and his release.
• Peter told them of the release and then went on to another place.
• "Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. 'Tell James and the brothers about this,' he said, and then he left for another place." -- vs. 12:17
• Herod then saw that Peter was no longer in the prison and he sentenced the guards to death.
• "After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed." -- vs. 12:19
• While Herod was giving an address to the people, they said he was like a god, not a man, showing their loyalty and that they approved of him.
• "They shouted, 'This is the voice of a god, not of a man.'" -- vs. 12:22
• Herod was pleased, but he did not give praise to God and was immediately struck down.
• "Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died." -- vs. 12:23
• Where does our allegiance lie? Who do we give our praise to? Our heavenly Father who has blessed us with where we are, what we have, or what we have accomplised? Or with the worms, those who aren't God, the things or people that we fall victim to and look to for affirmation and worth?
• The Word of the Lord was still preached, it increased.
• "But the word of God continued to increase and spread." -- vs. 12:24

I pray, Heavenly Father, that our allegiance would be to You. That we would turn to You to find satisfaction and affirmation. That we wouldn't look to the things of the world, but instead toss them in the ocean. I pray that we would recognize the things that steal our thoughts from You and learn to ignore them. We know that You remain true through the ages, enduring forever and that the things of this world won't always be here.I pray that we cling to the Truth that You are and neve underestimate Your power.