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12. Peter’s Deliverance at the Hand of an Angel (Acts 12:7-17)
ACTS 12:7-17
7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands. 8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” 16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. 17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
The church at Antioch flourished and grew, while the Jerusalem church fell under persecution. James, one of the three disciples nearest to Jesus, had been killed, while Peter had been miraculously delivered. The ways of God may be hidden to us, yet we can be assured that our heavenly Father is love in Himself. Therefore, we may ask Him to grant us, during all stages of our lives, complete confidence in His kindness and mercy.
Peter was not terrified by this danger, even though it was very real and imminent. He could lay himself down and sleep peacefully by virtue of his peace of conscience and his confidence in the providence of his heavenly Father. He did not notice the chains that bound his hands or the two guards at his sides. Neither was he fearful of the heavenly glow that illuminated the night when the angel came to him. He slept so deeply that the angel had to shake him strongly to wake him. He saw how the chains fell from his hands without a sound. He put on his clothes while still in a tired daze. The angel cared for him as a mother cares for her children when she awakens them and helps them dress before they go to school. The heavy locked iron gates opened without creaking, and closed after them without a sound. Neither of the sleeping guards noticed any movement in this silent escape. The might of God overcame all material obstacles. He is able to deliver where no man can even think of the possibility of deliverance. The power of our Father is greater than we know.
The angel left Peter as soon as they reached one of the city streets. The cold wind of the night completely awakened Peter. He was not immediately conscious of the danger involved in his escape, or the possibility of his being caught and arrested anew. He rejoiced, however, to realize how his heavenly Father had cared for him. No one in the world could have delivered him from the numerous, watchful guards. It was the Lord himself who frustrated the plan of King Herod and delivered His church.
Peter joyfully hurried to the house of the mother of Mark, the evangelist. There believers were gathered day and night praying that God might somehow deliver the most courageous among the apostles from evil intent. When Peter knocked at the door, a servant girl came near to answer. As soon as she recognized his voice, she rushed back joyfully and excitedly and told them. But nobody believed her. They told her she might have seen a ghost, or heard some fanciful illusion. Some raised doubt about her sound mind, while others suggested Peter’s guardian angel might have appeared to her. They had prayed for his delivery, but were not sure that God would answer their prayers, especially since James, for whom they had also prayed, had been beheaded just a few days earlier. Thus they prayed between hope and doubt, not knowing the will of God at this hour. They continued knocking at the door of heaven, asking that the will of the heavenly Father be done.
He who stood at the door in the cold of night also continued knocking. Finally, those praying realized that there really was someone standing outside, wishing for the door to be opened. They were astonished at how God had answered their prayer and revealed His might over the malicious king. When they heard about the miracle of his delivery at the hand of the angel, their praise grew even greater, and their trust in the providence of their heavenly Father was strengthened.
Then Peter asked that James, the brother of Jesus, who had become the acting head of the Jerusalem church and who was known for fervent prayer, be informed about his being freed from prison. James had probably met with some acceptance from the High Council of the Jews, for although he was a Christian he, nevertheless, was faithful to the law, having considered that faith without good works is dead. His godliness and submission to Jesus, his half-brother who had ascended to glory, was manifested through many fervent prayers and practical services.
It is probable that this ruler was planning to kill all the Christian leaders. He was very afraid of Peter’s deliverance a second time. He felt a power greater than his was at work. Therefore, he left Jerusalem, slowly and hesitantly, for the people were still expecting the public trial of Peter, who had suddenly disappeared. All those who heard about this event trembled. Herod, for his part, went to Caesarea, seeking to forget about his authority, as well as his worries and faults, through intoxication.
PRAYER: O Lord, we thank You that You delivered Peter from out of the inner prison, and kept Your church at Jerusalem from continuous persecutions. You are the Triumphant One even today. Fill us with Your Spirit, and teach us faith, prayer, and perseverance. Thank You for answering our prayers.
QUESTION:
- Why were those gathered to pray amazed when they saw Peter standing at the door?