• The Events in Acts 12
  • The murder of James the Apostle by Herod – Act 12:1-2
  • The imprisonment of Peter – Act 12:3-5
  • The deliverance of Peter – Act 12:6-11
  • The prayer meeting – Act 12:12
  • The death of Herod – Act 12:20-23
• The Murder of James
  • The murderer: Herod
    • He is known as Herod Agrippa
      • Not the one before whom Jesus appeared
      • The father of the Herod before whom Paul will later appear
    • He is opposed to Christ
    • He is a cunning politician
  • The victim: James – Act 12:2
    • He is the brother of John
    • He is the son of Zebedee
    • He was on the Mount of Transfiguration – Mat 17:1
    • He was the first Apostle to die
  • The execution
    • His head was chopped off with a sword – Act 12:2
    • It was commanded by Herod
    • It pleased the Jews
  • The timing
    • The year - 44 AD
    • The Passover season - Spring time
• The Imprisonment of Peter – Act 12:3-11
  • Herod commands the arrest of Peter
    • A matter of political gain
    • A strategic time – Easter / Passover
  • Peter is secured in prison
    • He is chained to two soldiers on guard
    • Special guards are assigned to around the clock duty – Act 5:19
  • Peter is sleeping in prison
    • He has been there before
    • He is not afraid
    • Yet he is surprised
• The Supernatural Deliverance of Peter – Act 12:7-11
  • The angel of the Lord appears
  • He is in charge
    • The guards are helpless
    • The chains are no problem
  • He directs Peter
    • Tells him everything to do
    • Helps him out of the prison
• The Very “Human” Church – Act 12:13-17
  • Peter at the door
  • Rhoda answers the knock
    • Rhoda’s problem
    • The cautious recognition
  • The answered prayer
• The Death of Herod – Act 12:21-23
  • The execution of guards
  • The pride of man - playing God
  • The weakness of man - worshiping Herod
  • The sovereignty of God
    • Herod dies a horrible death
    • The folly of those who defy God
    • The tragedy of those who give God no glory
    • The blinded, distorted, twisted, pride of men who attempt to live without a sense of dependence upon God
• The Marvelous Results – Act 12:24-25
  • The Word of God grew and multiplied
    • Despite all the opposition
    • Paul and Barnabas are being trained for their future ministry
  • The certainty of justice
  • The indestructibility of the church
• The Prayer Meeting – Act 12:5
  • James is murdered
  • Peter is delivered
  • The difference – Act 12:5
    • But prayer was made
      • The difference in weapons
        • Herod – sword
        • Church – 2Co 10:3-5
      • Prayer
        • To build dependence
        • To participate in the sovereignty of God
    • By the Church
      • Not by the government
      • Not by the world
      • The unique calling of the Church
    • Unto God
      • They called upon the Lord
      • They did not trust in anything or anyone else
    • Without ceasing
      • They were persistent
      • God delayed the answer
        • The people learned
        • Peter learned
    • For him Peter
      • The definite request
      • The direct answer
• The Purpose of Recording the Events of Act 12:7
  • To reveal God’s sovereign determinism
    • Over Rome
    • Over Herod
    • Over Jews
    • Over persecution of the Church
  • To reveal God’s inclusion of His people in carrying out His purposes
• God’s People Participate in His Sovereign Determinism
  • God’s predestined plan will be fulfilled
  • God’s plan includes the participation of His people
    • The prayer
    • The evangelism
    • The serving
  • Can Peter be released from prison if the church does not pray? Yes
    Will the Church pray? Yes, God wills it
  • God has willed to use the prayer of His people as the means to the end
  • Prayer – any participation by God’s people is our great privilege and opportunity and involvement with God
  • Since God determines everything, why pray?
    • Because He commands it
    • For our good
    • For our learning
    • For dependence

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