Title: God is Almighty/Acts 12:1-17
Contents
Acts 12:1-17
Title: God is Almighty.
1. Meditation Outline
God gave the environment for man. However, because of greed, human beings not only failed to control the environment that God had given them, but instead came to be governed by the environment. Therefore, no one is not subject to the domination of the environment. Jesus, too, was sometimes subject to the domination of circumstances. Even if the soul has been regenerated and has experienced being born again, as long as it is wearing a body on this earth, it must be subjected to some form of interference from the environment.
But Jesus took care of the environment when necessary. So when the disciples were battling the waves in the middle of the night, he even walked on the water to help them. Although the apostles experienced regeneration and were filled with the Holy Spirit and devoted themselves to evangelism, they had no choice but to be helpless against the domination of their environment. Satan's forces killed James through a servant named Herod and imprisoned Peter. Their plan was to execute all the apostles, including Peter. It was the fate of the windmill.
All. The only thing the saints could do in this situation was to pray. It was not a prayer of power based on faith and absolute certainty. It was the only struggle they could make. But what happened? God heard their prayers. So Peter left the prison gate and walked to them.
In the past, Peter was imprisoned in the government's prison, but today's saints are imprisoned in a prison called their own environment. Its forms are innumerable and varied. Those who are imprisoned in a material prison cannot work for money. Those who are imprisoned in the prison of health must despair because of health. Some people despair because they have no education. There are people who are imprisoned in the prison of hate. Various types of prisons are binding us. Is there really no way to break this bondage? In the text, the answer is “prayer”.
What did the Saints pray for Peter in prison? Perhaps it was unquestionably a plea for “Peter’s release.” However, there are others who are of the opposite opinion. Their argument is plausible. “Peter was a man who in the past had been deceived three times because he did not know the Lord. It is possible that Peter may turn away again this time, so let us pray so that Peter can be martyred with confidence in his faith.” It seems to be the conclusion of contemplation that is quite imaginative. However, the downside is that it is a bit too much of a leap.
Introduction
1. It is unlikely that modern people will be persecuted for their faith.
2. However, in the case of the early church, persecution was serious.
I. The persecution for faith was severe (12:1-3).
A. At that time (v. 1).
1. The persecution was getting worse. The stronger the work of the Holy Spirit, the greater the persecution.
2. At that time, the Holy Spirit was working strongly in Antioch. And there was no special persecution in Antioch.
3. But at about the same time there was severe persecution in Jerusalem. So Peter was also arrested.
B. King Herod (1-2).
1. The name Herod was not a personal name, but a pronoun for the king of that country. Like "Caesar" in Rome.
2. At that time, Rome ruled Palestine. Caesar of Rome established a puppet government in Judea, which was ruled by Herod.
3. Herod at the time of Peter was Agrippa I. He was cruel and vain, he enjoyed murder, and he was very wicked.
4. The clever Agrippa executed many Christians to please both the Romans and the Jews.
C. The time is the Feast of Unleavened Bread (3).
1. The Passover lasted for eight days, with the first day being the Passover and the remaining seven days being the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
2. During this Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jews do not leave any leaven in their homes, nor do they judge or execute them.
3. However, during this ban period, Peter was arrested.
II. Fear and anxiety continued (4-6).
A. He was imprisoned (4).
1. It was the third prison sentence for Peter (see Acts 4:3, 5:18).
2. Agrippa I knew that Peter had miraculously escaped prison last time. So he must have been on special guard against Peter.
B. The boundaries were tight.
1. The soldiers guarded it from all sides. Four people guarded one side.
2. The four soldiers guarding Peter were strictly guarded.
3. There was no way to escape.
C. The church prayed.
1. In a desperate situation, I had no choice but to wait for a formal trial.
2. But two things happened.
1) Peter fell asleep. I slept knowing that death was imminent.
2) The church prayed earnestly to God for him.
III. God intervened (7-11).
A. The messenger of the Lord appeared (7).
1. God sometimes uses this method. “Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood beside him, and there was a dazzling light in the prison.”
2. The angel of the Lord woke Peter up and told him to get up. But “the chains fell out of their hands”
B. It was difficult to explain.
1. The angel gave Peter instructions.
1) Put on your clothes.
2) Follow me.
2. They passed by the watchman, but they did not see it. There was no one to catch him. And the angel took Peter out.
3. Peter thought that everything that had happened to him was a fantasy. But it wasn't a fantasy.
IV. People did not believe (12-17).
A. “You are crazy” (15).
1. Peter knocked on the door of the house, and a child named Rhoda came out.
2. But this child only recognized Peter's voice and went inside again and cried.
3. The people who heard it responded, “Crazy.”
B."It will be his angel" (15).
1. Rodde insisted that there was no doubt. But no one believed it.
2. They did not even know that their prayers were answered. I didn't want to believe it at all.
3. If Peter had come, he thought it would be his angel.
C. “I was amazed” (16).
1. Peter kept knocking on the door, so people went out and opened it. It was so amazing.
2. Peter talked about self-inflicted things. And he told everyone to know this.
3. Rumors spread throughout the city.
conclusion
God is always at work among us. God approaches situations we think are impossible. and let's be together We learned two things.
1. In our opinion, the impossible, hopeless, can be a good opportunity to experience miracles.
2. If something that could not be done is solved, God intervenes and solves it.
We are constantly faced with impossible situations. Because God is our master.