Acts Of The Apostles (17 Of 39)

Illus: It is obvious, from much of Paul’s writings, that he thought of the Christian life as a warfare.

He spoke of Christians as soldiers, in training, discipline, and even in having weapons.

In the Book of Acts, we can see so clearly that Christians are soldiers.

In one chapter we read that Satan empowers his soldiers to make an attack, and in the next chapter we read where God empowers his soldiers to attack Satan.

In chapter eleven, God’s people had tremendous success in waging war against Satan. Because of this success there was a reaction from Satan’ s crowd.

Acts 12:1 says, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.”

Some today might think they can find a church where there are no problems, but that cannot be done. As long as Satan is loose, he is going to fight Christ’s work.

Only those who have flown the white flag of surrender to him find relief from his attacks.

This was not true of the early church. They meant to fight Satan to the end. Let’s look at-

I. THE SITUATION

The early New Testament Christians paid a tremendous fight in this spiritual war. Look at-

A. A MARTYR

Look at verse 2, “And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”

James was one of that famous trio, “Peter, James, and John.”

But regardless of who you are, if you take a stand for the Lord, the Bible tells us, “All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

• Acts 7 tells of the first Christian martyr of the New Testament church, Stephen.

• Acts 12 tells of the first martyr from among the twelve disciples.

In Rev. 2:10, God promises a special crown for Christian martyrs. One day they will receive the special crown for their faithfulness unto death.

WHY WOULD HEROD DO SUCH AN EVIL THING? Let’s look at-

B. A MOTIVE

Look at verse 3, “And because he saw it pleased the Jews. He proceeded further to take Peter also.”

The reason that Herod did this very evil act is because he knew it PLEASED THE PEOPLE.

Herod knew the Jews despised Christianity. In his effort to please them, he decided to use their hate for Peter.

WHY DID THOSE PEOPLE HATE PETER?

• Peter was the one who stood up against them when he had been forbidden to preach in the name of Christ.

• Peter was the one who went against their social values by socializing with the gentiles.

• However, Peter’s greatest sin, as far as they were concerned, was that he was the first to propagate the fact that the gospel was for the gentiles as well as for the Jews…

Herod did not care who he used in his climb to political power. He was constantly on the lookout for ways to please the people. He saw that everyone was excited and pleased that he had killed James.

But his evil plans fell through.

Look at verses 4-11, we read, “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews..”

Notice, the Lord delivered Peter from that prison in such a way, that even though he was there, he thought he was just seeing a vision, that it was not really happening to him.