Acts 12

“… an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God increased and multiplied.” (12:23-24)

Ok, so I have questions about how exactly one gets eaten by worms and dies… But I’m going to guess that is not the main point of this passage, ha ha. The key verse in this passage – and maybe in the whole of the book of Acts – is that the gospel and the kingdom of God increases and multiplies (12:24).

I’ve decided just now that, whenever I am struggling with some drama or difficulty in ministry – this is the chapter I need to read aloud to myself.

King Herod beheading James the disciple must have been such a crushing, shocking moment for the early church. First Stephen and now this. Herod absorbs all the attention like an evil villain and sets about plotting his next big public execution (12:1-4). But Herod is so very full of himself, so driven to seek public attention, so high and mighty in his fancy purple royal robes, and so intoxicated with his own pursuit of fame and glory – that God just takes him out. Done. You have been removed from the scene. You are not God, and I am tired of you acting like you think you are so mighty (12:20-23). Boom. People entrusted with leadership positions take note – God is not amused with your pursuit of personal glory.

Herod’s story sits like bookends around the story of Peter’s detention and rescue from prison (12:4-17). Note first that the church gathered in earnest prayer for Peter (12:5), because he was about to die. The earnest prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective (James 5:16). They remained gathered together praying all night (12:13). Church, we need of this type of commitment to prayer. It matters.

Then Peter is miraculously delivered out of prison by an angel. Peter himself is not sure what is happening – but he does get kicked in the side by angel and told to get dressed. His chains fall off. He wraps himself in his cloak (is this like an elvish invisibility type cloak or what?) and walks out past all the guards. Then, check this out, the iron gate to the city opens of its own accord (12:10). God opens the city gate for Peter! Then ironically the servant girl Rhoda forgets to open the house gate for Peter and leaves him standing in the street knocking again for someone to let him in (12:13-15). No one believes its Peter at first, even though this is what they had been praying for. Peter instructs them to spread the good news (12:17). God is surprising everyone.

What doors do you need God to open for you? For the gospel and the kingdom? Are you praying for that? Have you thanked Him for the doors he has opened already? Where do you or people you know need deliverance? Are you praying for that?

Let us be praying earnestly – and waiting expectantly – for God to show up and the gospel to increase and multiply.

What stood out to you in Acts 12?