Chapter 12: 1-25 January 25& 28, 2012 Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr.

1. Chapter 12: 1-25 January 25& 28, 2012 Dr. Ronald C. Hill, Sr.

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

3. Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

4. A. Satan’s relentless attacks on the church continued. This time the persecution came from King Herod Agrippa I. He was the murderer of John the Baptist. He at this point suddenly and

5. viciously orders the murder of James the Apostle, and he puts Peter on death row.

6. B. James becomes the first apostle to die a martyr’s death. His death is the only recorded death of the twelve apostles with the exception of Judas who hung himself. It is believed by many that James’s brother, John, was the last of the twelve to die.

7. James and his brother John were two of the most prominent Disciples of Christ. They were with Christ when He was transfigured.

8. St. Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

9. St. Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

10. St. Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

11. St. Matthew 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

12. St. Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

13. St. Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

14. St. Matthew 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

15. St. Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

16. St. Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

17. C. James and John along with Peter were the only people Jesus allowed to go in with Him when He raised the ruler’s daughter from the dead.

18. St. Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

19. St. Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

20. St. Mark 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

21. St. Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

22. St. Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

23. St. Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

24. St. Mark 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

25. D. James and John also requested a special favor from the Lord.

26. St. Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

27. St. Mark 10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

28. St. Mark 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

29. St. Mark 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

30. St. Mark 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

31. St. Mark 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

32. E. This chapter affords an interesting study of God’s ways as He deals with His servants. God allowed James to die; yet He sent an angel to rescue Peter. Human reason would beg the question of

33. E. why not save James from death also? This is where our faith in God’s love and wisdom must rest assured that God always does what is best.

34. F. We note, James was killed by a sword. Death by the sword in that day; was regarded by the people to be particularly disgraceful, hence it was pleasing to the Jews.

35. G. In Verse two we find the last reference to the apostle John. 1. We also note that there was no apostle appointed to replace James after he was killed.

36. Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

37. Acts 12:4 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.

38. H. The Jews responded so enthusiastically to the execution of James, that Herod was encouraged to do the same with Peter.

39. 1. Peter’s execution was delayed because it was the Days of Unleavened Bread. They didn’t do executions on religious holidays. Also the Jews would be too busy with their ceremonies to

40. 1. appreciate the execution. So Herod ordered Peter to be put in jail. God has a way of using many things to have His will fulfilled.

41. I. To make sure Peter did not escape from jail Herod assigned sixteen (16) men to guard the one (1) man. Peter had little, to no chance to escape 16 men.

42. Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

43. Acts 12:6 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.

44. J. The church was praying continuously for Peter to be delivered. They knew Herod had killed James and they were praying for Peter to be spared.

45. K. No doubt Peter prayed for himself but his prayer is not mentioned. It is quite obvious, however that Peter had no fear of death witnessed by the fact that he was enjoying a good night of sleep.

46. L. Peter could have been standing (sleeping) on the promise of the word of God. Jesus told Peter that He would be an old man someday. Peter no doubt took the position that Herod could not kill him prematurely.

47. St. John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

48. St. John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

49. We too must be bold and confident to stand on the word of God and trust that no matter what we see, feel or what is going on around us; if God has given you a promise it is bound to come to pass.

50. Acts 12:7 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.