Acts, Chapter 12

1
Lesson 20

• Acts, Chapter 12

2
Time Frame (Acts 12)

• Chapter begins around the same time as the end of
  Chapter 11 (note verse 1, Now about that time
  
• We related in chapter 11 a famine in Judea, in
  A.D. 45, that correlates with the prophesied
  famine of verses 27-30.
• Herod Agrippa I died in A.D. 44 (reference Lesson
  3, A N.T. Chronology)
• Location of Chapter 12 is Jerusalem, and Caesarea
  (vs. 19).

3
Caesarea was at this time the usual residence of
the Roman governor of Judea, and consequently a
garrison of troops was regularly found
there. Herod Agrippa I died in A.D. 44 while
residing in Caesarea (Acts 1223)
Caesarea
Jerusalem
4
Herod Aggripas Violence Toward the Church (1-4) 1

• Information about Herod Agrippa I
• This text is the only time this Herod is referred
  to in the pages of the N.T.
• Grandson of Herod the Great (Father Aristobulus),
  and a brother of Herodias (who asked for John the
  Baptists head).
• While a child, Herod the Great murdered his
  father, and Agrippa was sent to Rome
• Was thrown into prison by Tiberius in Rome until
  37 A.D. Freed by Caligula was granted Kingship
  in Judea by Caligula.

5
Herod Aggripas Violence Toward the Church (1-4) 2

• Information about Herod Agrippa I (cont.)
• When Claudius became Roman emperor, Agrippa added
  all of Judea and Samaria, and was named a
  sovereign King, independent of any provincial
  Roman governor. (though subject still to Rome)
• As King, Agrippa I ingratiated himself to the
  Jews by presenting himself as devout
• Possible that his desire to please the Jews was
  what led him to begin persecuting Christians

6
Herod Aggripas Violence Toward the Church (1-4) 3

• Herod began persecuting Christians
• Time frame, around 41-44 A.D.,the last three
  years of Herods life, during his consolidated
  rule in Judea.
• Harassed some from the church. Same phrase as
  used in 43 (Peter and John) and 518 (the
  apostles), translated there laid hands on.
• The apostle James was killed by Herod (2)
• Note Execution by sword was considered the most
  humiliating forms of capital punishment.

7
Herod Aggripas Violence Toward the Church (1-4) 4

• Herod began persecuting Christians
• Little is known of James life. However, he
  begin dead, yet speaks
• Herods motives in the persecution were mainly
  political (3)
• Peter was arrested during the Passover
  celebration (3)
• Peter was imprisoned, with the purpose of
  presenting him to the people (presumably for
  trial and execution) following Passover (4)

8
Peter Freed from Prison (5-19) 1

• Peter kept in Prison (5)
• The church prayed on his behalf
• Note constant or fervent prayer offered by
  the church in Jerusalem
• Note the nature of Peters bonds (6)
• Bound with two chains between two soldiers
• Further guard upon the doors of the prison
• Yet, Peter with Gods help escaped from the
  Prison (7-10)

9
Peter Freed From Prison (5-19) 2

• Peters Escape (7-10)
• Visited by an angel (Light shone in the cell) (7)
• Angel woke Peter (struck Peter on the side) (7)
• Chains fell from his hands (miraculous) (7)
• Angel led him from the prison, past the guards
  (8-10)
• Peter was not aware if this were real, or a
  vision (9)
• Gate to the city opened miraculously (10)
• After entering the city, the angel left Peter (10)

10
Peter Freed From Prison (5-19) 3

• Peter at the House of Mary (11-17)
• It was not until the angel left that Peter
  realized the escape was real (12)
• Peter went to the house of Mary, where the
  Christians had gathered to pray (12)
• The young lady, Rhoda, informed the Christians of
  Peters presence (13-16). Their astonishment
  shows this was a notable accomplishment
• Peter told the gathering of his escape (17)

11
Peter Freed From Prison (5-19) 4

• The Aftermath of Peters Escape (18-19)
• Soldiers were astonished. Obvious that God had
  intervened (note verse 10, as Peter and the angel
  had passed by the posts undetected).
• Herod executed the guards for allowing Peter to
  escape (19).
• Herod traveled to Caesarea, and stayed there.
  (Note It was at Caesarea where Herod was struck
  with worms, and died).

12
Herods Violent Death (20-24) 1

• Josephus Account
• Agrippa went to Caesarea, and had games performed
  in honor of Claudius.
• Agrippa saw an owl perched over his head, which
  he interpreted as being a sign he would die
  within five days.
• He was smitten with violent pains, scolding his
  friends for flattering him, and accepted his
  imminent death.
• He experienced heart and abdominal pains, and
  died in five days.

13
Herods Violent Death (20-24) 2

• Tyre and Sidon sued for peace (20)
• We dont know the cause of the trouble.
• The cities were dependent upon the area of
  Galilee for food to live on (20)
• The people clamored at the Kings address, The
  voice of a god and not of a man! (22)
• The flattery was accepted by Herod, and he did
  not give glory to God (23). It was for this
  reason an angel of God struck him with worms, and
  he died. (23).

14
Herods Violent Death (20-24) 3

• The Word of God (24)
• A contrast here But
• Rather than the persecution of Herod slowing or
  stopping the growth of the Lords church, we are
  told the Word of God grew and multiplied.
• This a reference to continual conversions.

15
Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch (25) 1

• After delivering the gift from Antioch to the
  brethren in Judea (cf. 1127-30), Barnabas and
  Saul returned to Antioch.
• John Mark accompanied them back to Antioch.