NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING STRETCHED OUT _HIS_ HAND TO HARASS SOME FROM THE CHURCH. 1. Adam Clarke explains who this king is. " This was Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, and grandson of Herod the Great; he was nephew to Herod Antipas, who beheaded John they Baptist, and brother to Her... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. 1. James the brother of John - He was known as James the Greater, the son of Zebedee. 2. Adam Clarke explains: By killing with the sword we are to understand beheading. Among the Jews there were four kinds of deaths: 1. Stoning; 2. burning... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BECAUSE HE SAW THAT IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO SEIZE PETER ALSO. NOW IT WAS _DURING_ THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. 1. The Jews were happy. The "Christians" were being persecuted. They were being left alone. 2. So - He decided to arrest Peter. 3. This was the time of Passover... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN HE HAD ARRESTED HIM, HE PUT _HIM_ IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED _HIM_ TO FOUR SQUADS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM, INTENDING TO BRING HIM BEFORE THE PEOPLE AFTER PASSOVER. 1. Peter was put in prison and given over to four squads of four men each (total of 16 men) to guard him. 2. At all times - two... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER WAS THEREFORE KEPT IN PRISON, BUT CONSTANT PRAYER WAS OFFERED TO GOD FOR HIM BY THE CHURCH. 1. Meanwhile - the church was praying. 2. Constant Prayer - The situation with Peter was on the mind of every Christian. 3. The church, in addition to individuals, was in constant prayer for Peter.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN HEROD WAS ABOUT TO BRING HIM OUT, THAT NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING, BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS; AND THE GUARDS BEFORE THE DOOR WERE KEEPING THE PRISON. 1. It was almost time to bring Peter out and let the people decide what to do with him. 2. Peter was sleeping. What else cou... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW BEHOLD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STOOD BY _HIM,_ AND A LIGHT SHONE IN THE PRISON; AND HE STRUCK PETER ON THE SIDE AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, " ARISE QUICKLY! " AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF _HIS_ HANDS. 1. An angel of the Lord (was this Jesus, himself?) was at his side. 2. The dark dungeon was suddenly... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE ANGEL SAID TO HIM, " GIRD YOURSELF AND TIE ON YOUR SANDALS " ; AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAID TO HIM, " PUT ON YOUR GARMENT AND FOLLOW ME. " 1. Peter is told to get dressed, put on his shoes and outer garment. 2. Peter gets dressed and follows the angel.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE WENT OUT AND FOLLOWED HIM, AND DID NOT KNOW THAT WHAT WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL WAS REAL, BUT THOUGHT HE WAS SEEING A VISION. 1. What is happening? Is it a dream? Is it real? 2. Peter did not understand what was happening. He did not realize that this was really happening.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND THE SECOND GUARD POSTS, THEY CAME TO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADS TO THE CITY, WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF ITS OWN ACCORD; AND THEY WENT OUT AND WENT DOWN ONE STREET, AND IMMEDIATELY THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. 1. They just walked past the first guards (the ones to whom h... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN PETER HAD COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, " NOW I KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT THE LORD HAS SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HAS DELIVERED ME FROM THE HAND OF HEROD AND _FROM_ ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE. " 1. Peter now realizes - this is for real. It is not a dream or vision. 2. Peter finally figures... [ Continue Reading ]
SO, WHEN HE HAD CONSIDERED _THIS,_ HE CAME TO THE HOUSE OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF JOHN WHOSE SURNAME WAS MARK, WHERE MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER PRAYING. 1. Peter now develops a plan. He will go where he believes some Christians will be gathered together. 2. He goes to the house of Mary. She is the m... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS PETER KNOCKED AT THE DOOR OF THE GATE, A GIRL NAMED RHODA CAME TO ANSWER. 1. Peter knocks at the gate to the house. 2. Think about a house with an enclosed front porch. There is a door to enter the porch - then another door to enter the house. Peter is at the outer door, knocking. 3. Rhoda... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN SHE RECOGNIZED PETER ' S VOICE, BECAUSE OF _HER_ GLADNESS SHE DID NOT OPEN THE GATE, BUT RAN IN AND ANNOUNCED THAT PETER STOOD BEFORE THE GATE. 1. She recognized Peter's voice. This is the middle of the night, so it is quite dark and voice would be the best way to know who is at the door. 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY SAID TO HER, " YOU ARE BESIDE YOURSELF! " YET SHE KEPT INSISTING THAT IT WAS SO. SO THEY SAID, " IT IS HIS ANGEL. " 1. Here are many Christians, members of the church, gathered together for prayer. They were there praying about Peter. They were concerned that Peter would die as James had d... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW PETER CONTINUED KNOCKING; AND WHEN THEY OPENED _THE DOOR_ AND SAW HIM, THEY WERE ASTONISHED. 1. All Peter could do was keep knocking. While Peter is outside in the cold and is the very answer to their prayers, they are inside having a discussion with Rhoda about her sanity. 2. Finally, they op... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT MOTIONING TO THEM WITH HIS HAND TO KEEP SILENT, HE DECLARED TO THEM HOW THE LORD HAD BROUGHT HIM OUT OF THE PRISON. AND HE SAID, " GO, TELL THESE THINGS TO JAMES AND TO THE BRETHREN. " AND HE DEPARTED AND WENT TO ANOTHER PLACE. 1. Peter now has to calm and quiet them so he can speak. 2. Peter... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN, AS SOON AS IT WAS DAY, THERE WAS NO SMALL STIR AMONG THE SOLDIERS ABOUT WHAT HAD BECOME OF PETER. 1. As it became daylight - just at dawn - the news of the "breakout" was the buzz around the palace of the king. 2. The phrase - "no small stir" - also occurs in Acts 19:23. It is an understatem... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN HEROD HAD SEARCHED FOR HIM AND NOT FOUND HIM, HE EXAMINED THE GUARDS AND COMMANDED THAT _THEY_ SHOULD BE PUT TO DEATH. AND HE WENT DOWN FROM JUDEA TO CAESAREA, AND STAYED _THERE._ 1. Herod, and his soldiers, begin a search. 2. He also inquired of the guards what happened and decided that... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW HEROD HAD BEEN VERY ANGRY WITH THE PEOPLE OF TYRE AND SIDON; BUT THEY CAME TO HIM WITH ONE ACCORD, AND HAVING MADE BLASTUS THE KING ' S PERSONAL AIDE THEIR FRIEND, THEY ASKED FOR PEACE, BECAUSE THEIR COUNTRY WAS SUPPLIED WITH FOOD BY THE KING ' S _COUNTRY._ 1. Herod was angry - highly displease... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ON A SET DAY HEROD, ARRAYED IN ROYAL APPAREL, SAT ON HIS THRONE AND GAVE AN ORATION TO THEM. 1. Herod was dressed to impress. He was arrayed in garments that showed his power, wealth, and high position. 2. He was not just wearing this apparel. He was arrayed with silver that sparkled and shined... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PEOPLE KEPT SHOUTING, " THE VOICE OF A GOD AND NOT OF A MAN! " 1. Herod is at his height. 1. He is arrayed in silver, glittering in the sun. 2. He is being sought for peace by ambassadors. 3. The people are shouting that he is a god. 4. He thinks he is somebody!... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN IMMEDIATELY AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM, BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE GLORY TO GOD. AND HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED. 1. An angel of the Lord stuck him. 2. He did not glorify God. He was "high minded" - proud - arrogant - haughty. 3. He was suddenly struck by worms - and died.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE WORD OF GOD GREW AND MULTIPLIED. 1. Sometimes we must wait for the Lord to avenge wrongs. 2. Sometimes we must wait until judgment day. 3. Here - the justice of God was swift. 4. Herod died because: 1. He was haughty and proud. 2. He thought he was some great powerful on. 3. He was no... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BARNABAS AND SAUL RETURNED FROM JERUSALEM WHEN THEY HAD FULFILLED _THEIR_ MINISTRY, AND THEY ALSO TOOK WITH THEM JOHN WHOSE SURNAME WAS MARK. 1. Verse 25 is a transition statement. With the end of this chapter - we close out the "Peter" part of church history. While he is mentioned, he is no lo... [ Continue Reading ]