Friday, November 10, 2006
An Outline of Acts Chapter 12
Peter's Miraculous Escape From Prison (12:1-19a)
Luke's attention now shifts back to Jerusalem and the reign of terror there at the hands of King Herod. Under his command, the apostle James, the brother of John, becomes Christianity's second martyr. This act so pleased the Jews (12:3) that Herod arrested Peter and had him jailed. But, once again, the Lord intervened and Peter was miraculously released from prison. Although the Christian community was in prayer for Peter at the time of his deliverance, when he appeared at their door they would not believe it. (How like us, to pray for something and then be surprised when it happens!)
Herod's Death (12:19b-25)
Herod's reign ends when be becomes too full of himself. When some of his supporters begin to praise him as a god, Herod makes the mistake of accepting that praise. And he pays for it with his life.
In spite of the persecutions, however, "the word of God continued to increase and spread" (12:24).
Luke's attention now shifts back to Jerusalem and the reign of terror there at the hands of King Herod. Under his command, the apostle James, the brother of John, becomes Christianity's second martyr. This act so pleased the Jews (12:3) that Herod arrested Peter and had him jailed. But, once again, the Lord intervened and Peter was miraculously released from prison. Although the Christian community was in prayer for Peter at the time of his deliverance, when he appeared at their door they would not believe it. (How like us, to pray for something and then be surprised when it happens!)
Herod's Death (12:19b-25)
Herod's reign ends when be becomes too full of himself. When some of his supporters begin to praise him as a god, Herod makes the mistake of accepting that praise. And he pays for it with his life.
In spite of the persecutions, however, "the word of God continued to increase and spread" (12:24).
