Acts 1-2: AD30 Acts 12
(vv.1-2)
(James and John) …said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” – Mark 10:39-40 (NKJV)
Sword: machaira – a knife, i.e. dirk (Strong’s)
(v.4) This is Peter’s 3rd time in prison
This is the time Peter is in prison for a
_____ They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. – Acts 4:3-4 (NIV)
_____ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, “Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.” Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. – Acts 5:19-21 (NASB95)
4 squads of soldiers: total
Jewish people are celebrating the deliverance of their nation through God’s intervention (Passover), a herald of God’s intervention is taken into custody to please the Jewish people (NIV Life Application Commentary)
(vv.5-6)
How the two stories are alike: James was martyred, Peter will be rescued. Both will be to Christ, regardless of the
(v.6)
Peter can rest because of his in God’s
“Truly, truly, I say to you (Peter), when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
– John 21:18-19 (NASB95)
(vv.7-11)
God delivers miraculously, but doesn’t do for Peter what he can
God alone can do the , but His people must do the (BEC)
My Question: Lord, what do you want ?
(v.16)
It’s that we that God is God,
but it’s when we are that God is God
We notice the balance of and (v.17)
(vv.18-19)
Herod was by Peter’s escape (v.19)
…Herod having sought for him, and not having found, having examined the guards, did command [them] to be led away to punishment, and having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he was abiding [there]. – Acts 12:19 (YLT)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (ESV)