Bible Reading
Acts 12:1–24 (ESV) —
> About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
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> Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
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> When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.
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> Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
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> Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
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> But the word of God increased and multiplied.
Observation Questions
- What was the church’s immediate response when James was killed and Peter was imprisoned? ([30:50])
- How did God answer the prayers of the church regarding Peter’s imprisonment? What was surprising about it? ([40:05])
- What happened to Herod after he tried to destroy the church, and how is this significant in the story? ([47:51])
- According to the passage, what was the result for the church and the word of God after these events? ([49:20])
Interpretation Questions
- Why do you think the early church chose to respond to crisis with prayer rather than protest or despair? What does this reveal about their understanding of God and their mission? ([30:50])
- The church was surprised by Peter’s release, even though they were praying. What does this say about their expectations of God, and how might this reflect our own expectations in prayer? ([40:05])
- Both James and Peter were faithful, but God allowed one to die and the other to be rescued. What does this teach us about God’s sovereignty and the nature of salvation? ([36:25])
- Herod’s downfall is described as God subduing his enemies. How does this part of the story encourage believers facing opposition or evil today? ([47:51])
Application Questions
- When you face spiritual chaos or tragedy, what is your first instinct—prayer, action, despair, or something else? How can you make prayer your first response, like the early church? ([30:50])
- The sermon mentioned that the church’s greatest weapon in crisis is “earnest, persistent prayer.” What would it look like for you to pray earnestly and persistently for a situation in your life or in the world right now? ([31:58])
- Have you ever been surprised by the way God answered a prayer—either by doing something unexpected or by not answering in the way you hoped? How did that affect your faith? ([40:05])
- The sermon said that God’s salvation does not always look like escape from suffering, but is always certain. Is there a situation where you are struggling to trust God’s wisdom or timing? How can you find hope in God’s promises even when you don’t understand His ways? ([36:25])
- The world offers many false solutions to chaos and evil. What are some “false solutions” you are tempted to turn to instead of trusting God? How can you recognize and reject these in favor of the truth of Christ? ([51:43])
- The church is called to be the “pillar and buttress of the truth.” What does it look like for you, personally, to uphold the truth in your daily life, workplace, or family? ([28:37])
- The sermon ended with a call to “keep your mind on the mission” and to trust that God is at work beyond our understanding. What is one practical step you can take this week to stay focused on the mission of proclaiming the gospel and trusting God’s sovereignty? ([51:03])
