Acts 12 - Bible Story

 Bible Story --> Bible verse --> Spiritual truth.

Romans 8:28?? - But, you remember Joseph. Things didn't always go well, but God worked in all to accomplish His plan.

Psalm 91:1-16, Isa. 41:10, Psm. 138:7

Daniel in the lions' den - angel shut lion's mouth.
Shadrach, Meschach, Abendigo in fiery furnace.  4th. man appeared, and the three came out with not even the SMELL of smoke.

You are never to old to learn from a Bible story.  Sunday School teachers - you will never know what the outcome of your lessons may be.
Example:  Edward Kimball - leading D.L. Moody to Christ.

Today = one of those stories.  You've got a wicked ruler, an innocent inmate, angels, a prison escape, evil man gets what's coming to him.

Acts 12:1 - Herod Agrippa (grandson of Herod the Great who had all the babies 2 and under killed when Jesus was born.) began persecuting the disciples.    Now, HA has followed his grandfather's footsteps   Pro. 22:6 - Herod blazed the trail.  

Acts 12:2-4 - had the Apostle James killed.  Saw that it pleased the Jews  so had Peter imprisoned as well with the intent to execute.  HA loved man's praise.  However, couldn't execute during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, so had Peter imprisoned under heavy guard. 
What a hopeless situation - James and now Peter.

Acts 12:5   BUT the other disciples (believers) were in earnest, fervent prayer for him.  Fervently = fully stretched, no slack . 
Have you ever prayed like that?  for other people? 
James 5:16  Is prayer the first option or last resort?  We need to pray for other people!!

Note:  Most of our battles are spiritual. 
  Examples:  David - you come at me with sword, spear, and Javelin, but I come in the name of the Lord of Hosts, God of the armies of  Israel.
Eph. 6:12 - for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood

Do you act accordingly?

Acts 12:6  Peter's last night, and he was sleeping?  Peacefully although guarded by 4 x 4 soldiers keeping 3 hour watch under threat of death if he escaped.

Acts 12:7-10 - God - angel = supernatural rescue. 
Question:  What about James?  Why did Peter get rescued and not James?  Paul & Silas?
Answer:  God has different plans for different people.  He also has different plans for the same people at different times.

Isa. 55:8-9 - Why do they get this?  Why me?  Ever been there?  What do you want from me?  What are you teaching me?  How can I be faithful in this?

God loved James and Peter and Stephen and Paul, etc.  but lives Rom. 8:28
Sometimes God cares for his people by bringing them home.

Examples:  All the disciples were martyred with the exception of Jude (who killed himself) and John.  They were a testimony to the truth of the resurrection, the teaching of the scripture. 
God was glorified through the ages in these deaths.

To live is Christ, to die is gain.

Acts 12:11-17 - God answers prayer!!
Do you believe Him?  Do you give Him credit?  thanks?
Rhoda believed ... no one else did.  And, they were praying for Peter.  

Brings up and interesting question:  Does this teach that we have guardian angels?

Our Wed. night Bible Study - Jewish belief  and Matt. 18:10 = Maybe??

Multitude of angels ... many things they can do.

* fight in spiritual realm against evil.  Dan. 10:1, Jude 1;4, Rev. 12:7-9
* deliver messages (Dan. 8, Luke 1-2)
* Worship the Lord and offer praises to Him. ( Psm. 148:2, Luke 2:13, Heb. 1:6, Rev. 8:11-12)
* Can be sent to answer prayer  (Dan. 10 and here)
* Serve and protect God's people  (Psm. 34:7, Dan. 6:22, Heb. 1:14)
* rejoice when sinners repent  (Luke 15;10)
* I believe they care for believers at time of death ( Luke 16:22)
* serve God and obey His commands  (Psm. 103:20)
* bring judgment and death to the wicked

Acts 12:18-21  

According to Josephus, Herod Agrippa wore garments of silver when he delivered this oration at a time when the sun was just right to shine.  Trying to set himself up as God.

Acts 12:22-25 -  got his reward.  Josephus wrote that he suffered 5 days in agonizing pain before he died - judgment from God.
He wanted worship and praise of men.  Contrast with Peter and Cornelius.

Who are you trying to please?  living and dying?

Closing Scripture:  Psm. 23:1-6