Studies by Book
01 Acts 12 01-19 JAMES KILLED, PETER RELEASED 01 Acts 12 01-05 Wise as serpents, harmless as doves
📖 Acts 12:01-19
01 – Tue03Dec2024 – *Wise as serpents, harmless as doves* - _Acts 12:01-19_ – JAMES KILLED, PETER RELEASED – _Matthew 10:16-18_
_Acts 12:1-5 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. (2) Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (3) And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. (4) So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. (5) Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church._
We have completed the study of _Acts 11:19-30_ titled THE CHRISTIANS OF ANTIOCH. This study was of 33 lessons. We now move on to the next study. We will look at _Acts 12:01-19_, which we will title JAMES KILLED, PETER RELEASED.
The persecution that had taken place up till this time for the church in Jerusalem was from the Jews. Saul, initially, was the spearhead of this persecution. _Acts 8:1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. / _Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison._
The church's persecution continued, but the church continued to grow under persecution. The apostles remained in Jerusalem, but they along with the church in Jerusalem were bold to face persecution. This was their response to the persecution. _Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and *grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus*." (31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness._
This was the action of the authorities of the Jews against the church elders and this was the response of the church. _Acts 5:40-42 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (41) So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (42) And *daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ*._
There was no fear in the early church of persecution. They were willing to lay down their lives for the Gospel. Are we ready?
This readiness to face persecution is the outcome of a life of living and sharing the Gospel in each of our contexts, however challenging it may be. _Matthew 24:14 And *this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations*, and then the end will come._ This was what the church in Jerusalem was doing. The church was growing. _Acts 6:1a Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, …_
Persecution against the early church was reaching a crescendo. The Jews were braying for the blood of the church leaders.
The Herods were of Edomite origin (Esau’s descendants). They were always against the Hebrews, who are Jacob's descendants. Though the Edomites were assimilated into Jewish life and culture, there was always an underlying tension between the Jews and the Edomites.
The Herods were client kings appointed by the Romans to govern the Jewish territories. The Herodian dynasty played a significant role in the history of Judea, with their rule marked by both impressive architectural achievements (the present western wall of the temple in Jerusalem was built by Herod the Great) and also notorious acts of cruelty (Killing of the infants at the time of the birth of Jesus). Their legacy is a complex blend of political manoeuvring and cultural contributions.
This Herod, here in _Acts 12_, is King Agrippa I. (It was King Agrippa II, the son of King Agrippa I, who met with Paul along with Governor Festus in _Acts 25-26_)
Herod Agrippa I wanted to please the Jews and he harassed the church. Across history, we see that both the Jews and the church have been the targets of persecution. This is what our Lord said would happen to us.
_Matthew 10:16-18 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. *Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves*. (17) But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (18) *You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles*._ / _Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake._
Persecution is painful but it is a way by which the testimony of Jesus is brought to the attention of the rulers of our times. The Lord longs for all people to be saved. (fullness of life in Jesus).
```Let us commit ourselves to the Lord’s hands and let us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.```