Acts 12: Two Deaths and a Rescue

Two Deaths and a Rescue

King Herod was committing violent acts against members of the church including killing James (brother of John) with a sword. He saw that the Jews were happy about this and then went and arrested Peter as well. Herod is obviously not a man that was seeking God's will. (Acts 12:1-5).

The night before Herod was to have Peter killed, Peter was rescued by an angel of the Lord. The angel tapped him on the side, told him to get up and the chains came off. Peter got dressed and was led out by the angel. The gates to the city opened and the angel disappeared. Peter knew at that point that he was rescued by an angel of the Lord. Peter appeared to others and told them to be quiet about his rescue so that he would not be found. Then he went off to another place. When Herod found out that Peter was no longer in prison, he had the sentries (guards) killed (Acts 12:6-19).

Herod was upset with the people of Tyre and Sidon and they sought for peace with Herod because they got their food from Herod's country. They needed him. The day that he gave an oration (speech) them, the people shouted "The voice of God and not of a man." Herod took pride in that. They were saying that Herod was like a god and was not like a man. Herod took all the credit and God struck him down. The word of God continued to spread and Barnabas and Saul came back from serving and brought back Mark (Acts 12:20-25). 

What I learned in this chapter is that a person seeking to do God's will (like Peter) can be rescued. Also, just because you are doing God's will does not mean evil people won't hate you and come after (like James). Lastly, I learned that evil men will be struck down by God as Herod was. 
 
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