Lesson 16 : Peter Freed from Prison, the Death of Herod & Transition to Paul (12:1-25)

1. Lesson 16:Peter Freed from Prison, the Death of Herod & Transition to Paul (12:1-25)

2. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • The church continued to spread, in spite of and as a result of persecution (11:19-21). • Barnabas & Saul worked together in Antioch for a year before their journeys (11:22-26). • The disciples of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch of Syria (11:26). • Agabus prophesied a great famine, during which the church helped each other (11:27-30).

3. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Herod Agrippa (The First) exercised terrible violence against the church (12:1-4). • This Herod = grandson of Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1-12) • Nephew of Herod Antipas (beheaded John the Baptist) • Father of Herod Antipas II ( “almost persuaded” by Paul) • Herod Agrippa beheaded the apostle James, the first apostle martyred for Christ (12:2). • Herod also seized Peter, with the intent to kill him for the Jews also (12:3-4). • Josephus: Herod was very ambitious to please the people (cf. 12:3) • Herod delayed the killing b/c it was the time of Passover (12:3-4) • Days of Unleavened Bread = 7 days following Passover (Ex. 23:15) • Herod delivered Peter to 16 soldiers (4 squads of 4) • The word at the end of verse 4 is “Passover,” not “Easter” (KJV).

4. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • The Lord freed Peter from prison, causing a stir in the church and with Herod (12:5-19). • Peter was constantly guarded & church constantly prayed (12:5) • Night before execution, Peter miraculously freed from heavily-guarded prison (12:6-11). • The church had gathered at Mary’s house to pray; that’s where Peter went (12:12-17). • The church seemed to lack faith in their prayers, not believing Peter was there (12:14-17). • Peter walked them thru how the Lord had delivered him (12:17) • James, Jesus’ half-bro, becoming a real leader (12:17; 15:13) • Herod put the guards to death for losing their prisoner (S.O.P. for Rome, cf. 16:27).

5. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Christians need to have prayer meetings and then trust in the power of prayer (12:5-17). • Christians in Acts 12 were gathered in the late night/early morning to pray together. • “Have confidence toward God,” for “whatever we ask we receive” (1 Jn. 3:21-22). • “The confidence we have in Him…if we ask anything acc. to His will…” (1 Jn. 5:14-15). • “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” (Jas. 1:6-8; Heb. 11:6; Mark 11:22-24).

6. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Herod’s arrogant pride led to his gruesome death (20-23) • Herod delighted himself in adulation from citizens and some were anxious to give it. • Receiving praise due unto deity, “The voice of a god,” he did not refuse it (12:22-23). • Scripture gives the reason Herod was killed, “He did not give glory to God” (12:23). • Josephus said that Herod got a pain in his stomach and suffered for 5 days (age 54). • In spite of Herod’s attempts, the cause of Jesus continued to grow (12:24). • Two imperfects (continued to grow & continued to multiply) show steady progress. • It seems that the more the disciples were persecuted, the faster the church grew.

7. Lesson 16 Handout:Life, Ministry & Epistles of Paul • A Brief Outline: • The Apostle Paul’s Early Life and Training • The Apostle Paul’s Religious Zeal • The Apostle Paul’s Conversion to Christ & Early Labors • The Apostle Paul’s Missionary Journeys • The Apostle Paul’s Arrest, Imprisonments & Trials • The Apostle Paul’s Final Years (according to tradition) • The Apostle Paul’s Epistles to Congregations and Individuals • Summary of Paul’s Life in His Own Words • Chart: Chronology of the Life of the Apostle Paul • Chart: Paul’s Missionary Journeys • Maps: Paul’s Missionary Journeys