ACTS 12

GOD RESCUES PETER FROM CAPTIVITY 

King Herod kills James, a disciple and brother of John, with a sword because he is angered by his claims of Jesus. Seeing how the Jewish people are pleased with him for persecuting a Christian, King Herod decides to also imprison Peter.

As Peter is imprisoned, the church prays extensively for him. Before Herod can summon Peter, God sends an angel to free Peter of his chains and unlock the gate, allowing him to escape past the guards. Peter first thinks he is hallucinating or experiencing a vision, but soon realizes that God sent the angel to set him free!

After being freed, Peter goes to the home of friends in Jerusalem. When the friends recognize his voice outside the door, they cannot believe what they hear. Peter motions to them to remain quiet, hoping to not be seen or caught. Before departing, Peter explains how God rescued him from the prison and the Roman soldiers.

When King Herod realizes that Peter is missing, he is enraged and has the guards killed.

Later on, Herod meets with the people of Tyre and Sidon, who rely on Judea for food. Wanting to flatter King Herod, the people of Tyre and Sidon praise him and inflate his ego. They compare the words of King Herod to that of a god, saying that he is not simply a man. Because Herod was given glory instead of God, he is immediately struck down and killed.

Meanwhile, the Word of God is spreading, and the church continues to grow. Barnabas, Saul, and a man named John Mark return to Jerusalem after completing their service in Antioch.