By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
PRAYING
Acts 12:6–18
Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great, was the ruler of Judea and Samaria. He was on shaky ground with the Romans, and he would do whatever it took to maintain the loyalty of his Jewish subjects.
One way to win favor with the Jewish authorities was to persecute the hated sect of Christianity, especially the apostles. Herod had James arrested and executed. That worked so well that he arrested Peter and planned to execute him too. The faith of the early church was being tested by the winds of persecution.
Led to Freedom (6–10)
As the church fervently prayed to God on behalf of Peter, God dispatched an angel to lead him to freedom. The word “fervent” means “to stretch or strain.” The word was used to describe a muscle stretched to its limits.
The early church was serious about prayer. They weren’t playing church; they were a praying church.
Most of the people of that day would have been wondering who could resist or defy the authority of King Herod. James had been martyred. And with Passover ending, no one could stop the king from executing Peter as well.
No one indeed but God, reigning on His throne in heaven, can do all that he pleases. And God was pleased to release Peter from Herod’s custody.
This was not Peter’s escape so much as it was his deliverance. This was not his plan. He was asleep. The angel woke him up and led him out of the prison and into the city.
Knocking at the Door (11–14)
It was such a surreal moment, but finally Peter realized this was not a vision but an actual deliverance in accordance with God’s plan. After comprehending that he had been led to freedom, he went to Mary’s home where many believers had gathered to pray.
Mary, the mother of John Mark, was willing to risk retribution from Herod by hosting the prayer meeting in her home. A home large enough to accommodate this large of a gathering would have a courtyard surrounded by a wall. The outer gate led to the courtyard and then to the house.
As Peter knocked on the door of the outer gate, one of Mary’s servants, Rhoda, came to see who it was. She recognized Peter’s voice as he asked to be let in, but she was so overwhelmed with excitement that she ran back to the house to announce that Peter was at the gate knocking on the door.
Telling His Story (15–18)
These verses strengthen our belief in the inspiration of Scripture. If the Bible had been written by man, the writers would not have included the verses that reveal their faults. The people in the prayer meeting thought Rhoda was out of her mind.
It couldn’t be Peter; he was in prison. It was ironic that the people who were praying for Peter had difficulty believing the Lord had answered their prayers. God is so good to us even when we wobble in our faith.
Rhoda kept insisting that it was Peter at the gate. Finally, Peter’s persistence was rewarded and they opened the door for him. Although they had been praying for a miracle, they were amazed when they saw him freed from prison. Peter told them all that the Lord had done for him and instructed them to tell others to encourage their faith.
Share with others: