Acts 12
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Acts 12 is a fascinating and funny chapter that places in bold contrast the power of the government verses the power of God. At the beginning of chapter 12, the church is suffering, and Herod is in control. This Herod is the grandson of Herod the Great called Herod Agrippa I. His uncle Antipas had known and tried Jesus. Herod Agrippa I wanted to court the Jew’s favor as we see in v. 3. The Jews had every reason not to like him: Roman upbringing and Edomite heritage. But Herod Agrippa won them over. So, this disliked minority, called the Way, was easily dismissed. When he killed James, King Herod realized the Jews liked that move so he would continue that policy. So, Peter is arrested. Remember, this James, the brother of John, was put to death. This is not the James who wrote the book of James in the New Testament. That James is the brother of our Lord Jesus. “Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History ii, 9) preserves the tradition from Clement of Alexandria’s seventh book of Hypotyposes, telling how the officer who guarded James was so impressed by his demeanor that he confessed himself a Christian and was beheaded along with him” (The Book of Acts NICNT by F. F. Bruce p. 248, footnote 7).
Now Peter is in prison, he is chained to two guards and two other guards are constantly guarding the door. They probably work in 6 hour shifts to cover the entire day. While Peter is in prison, heartfelt prayer is made for him. But, really what can a few praying Christians do for Peter who in is third imprisonment is most certainly on his way to an early demise? So, Peter, pacing the floor, is anticipating the prison door to be opened and he will die. Not exactly, Peter is sound asleep, bound with two chains, not worried about a thing. In fact, the angel has a hard time waking Peter up. If this part of the story sound like the verse of And Can it Be? there is a reason. Charles Wesley may have been reading Acts 12 when he wrote this song.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
The angel has to work at waking Peter, but the soldiers, fearing for their lives if their prisoner escapes, never stirred. The angel provides specific commands but as the prison gates are unlocked and they are walking down a street, the angel disappears. Peter thinks this is a dream until that moment. For some reason he was kept in a dreamlike state, but now Peter is wide awake . . . and a fugitive alone.
Peter decides to go where the disciples met, at the home of John Mark’s mother. They are praying that Peter would be released from prison and his life spared. Herod had just killed James so it seemed Peter would be next. All they could do is pray. It must have seemed hopeless. As the group is praying to God, Peter knocks on the door. Were the authorities coming for more Christians? John Mark’s mother motions for Rhoda to answer the door. Peter is knocking as well as speaking to Rhoda. Leaving the fugitive outside, Rhoda tells them Peter is standing at the gate. In other words, our prayers have been answered! These Christians who are praying for Peter’s release tell Rhoda she is out of her mind (v. 15). But Rhoda won’t take no for an answer. The believers conclude Peter is dead and this is his angel.
This entire time the knocking continues. “Oh, I will end this foolishness and open the door and we will find someone else wanting in” someone might have said, dismissing Rhoda. Seeing Peter one can imagine the joy, hugs, and kisses. Motioning for them to be quiet and describes all that had happened. After a quick reminder to tell James and the other, Peter leaves for a time to “another place” (v. 17).
These events are not what we expected in v. 1. Herod appears to be in complete control. But Herod is no match for a God who can remove a prison secured with chains, guarded by 4 men, and unlock locked doors. But maybe things will turn around for Herod. As we keep reading, we again face the theme of opposition to God. Herod is clearly opposing God. So, with Peter out of prison and on an undisclosed location, our attention is back on Herod. In v. 20, we are given background information on the tension between Tyre and Sidon and Herod. Both Luke and Herodotus write of this incident. Herod “did not give God the glory” when he was praised. The one who killed James, was hours away from killing Peter and seemed to be in complete control in verse 1 is now dead. What about the church? “The word of God increased and multiplied” (v. 24) but Herod’s word had failed. He spoke in the first few verses telling his official to kill James and imprison Peter. He spoke in v. 21 but should have spoken in verse 22 saying, “I am not a god. I am merely a human. Give the glory to God.” Herod is no match for the gospel.
The church is growing under impossible odds. Chains, Herod, prison vs. the power of prayer. Impossible odds. But Herod and the soldiers are dead, Peter is free, and the church is growing. Of course, a devout man named James is dead but as we leave chapter 12, we begin to trace the steps of Paul taking the gospel far away from Jerusalem. And that gospel continues to spread around the world to this day.
Lord, we thank you for the early days of the church and the spread of the gospel. It seems like no one could have stopped what You were doing. And no one can stop the spread of the gospel now. The gospel is often met with violent opposition, yet the church grows. Martyrs die, yet new life springs forth. Unbelief marks our age, yet new believers find the same grace now as they did in the first century. Come down with the power of Your Spirit and renew us, wake us up, and stir Your people to see Your eternal glory. In the eternally powerful name of Christ. Amen.