Confidence in Jesus’ Unstoppable Kingdom: 7 Days in ActsSýnishorn

Unstoppable despite a king’s hatred

Read Acts 12:1-24

When a Bible passage starts with a Herod, trouble is usually on the way. The Herod in Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa I, who was King of Judea in 41-44 AD. He was the nephew of Herod Antipas, who executed John the Baptist and was involved in Jesus’ trial. He was also the grandson of Herod the Great, who killed the boys under two in Judea in Matthew 2:16. In other words, he is bad news for Christians. In 12:1-3 we see him persecuting the church and killing James. When he sees that this is popular, he arrests Peter too. In 12:5, Peter is in prison under 24-hour guard (four groups of soldiers changing over at six-hour intervals). The situation looks hopeless—but the church is praying.

What happens next is one of the most remarkable rescues in Acts. Soldiers and chains are no match for Jesus. An angel appears, hits Peter on the side, and commands him to get up and get out (12:7). As they go, the gates open up and Peter is left on the street (12:9-10). Every detail shows us that this is God at work, not the escape of a brave apostle. Peter doesn’t know that what is happening is real (12:9). Even the praying church can’t believe it’s him when he turns up at Mary’s house! (12:15). 12:11 sums it up well: there is no doubt that this is a miracle from Jesus, the Lord, to rescue Peter from Herod.

But the story doesn’t end there. In 12:19, Herod is alive and well, and still hates Christians. So in 12:22-23, God puts an end to his pride. What a turnaround. We start with James being beheaded, Peter in prison, the church persecuted, and Herod in power. We end with Peter free, the church rejoicing, Herod dead and the Word spreading.

We don’t know why the Lord allowed Herod to execute James but saved Peter, but we can be in no doubt that He is the one in charge. Nothing—not even a powerful king who wants to persecute the church—will stop His Word spreading and His kingdom growing.