Chapter 12

(Acts 12) Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. {2} And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. {3} And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) {4} And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. {5} Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 

It will become very clear that God answered that prayer, but the whole account runs counter to what we might expect. Those early Christians, we think, were paragons of faith. When they prayed, they believed and they received what they asked for. But in this instance, they seem completely surprised by the answer to prayer. 

{6} And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. {7} And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. {8} And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. {9} And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 

Peter didn't even believe it while it was happening. He thought it was a vision. The way some preachers talk about prayer today, you would think Peter would have asked the angel what took him so long.

{10} When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. {11} And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

And, we might add, contrary to Peter's own expectations. He figured he was in prison for the night and that God would be doing something with him the next day.

 {12} And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. {13} And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. {14} And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. {15} And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 

This is almost funny. Their prayers were answered. Peter was out of prison and standing at the door. Instead of rejoicing at the answer to prayer, they start looking for an alternate explanation. No one was ready to believe in the miracle when it had already happened, much less before.

{16} But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 

Of all the things they expected, the last thing they expected was for Peter to actually show up. This is heartening, because most of us are of two minds when we pray, and the bigger the miracle we are asking for, the more doubtful we are that it will happen. But we shouldn't allow our doubts to keep us from asking.

{17} But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. {18} Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. {19} And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. {20} And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. {21} And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. {22} And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. {23} And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. {24} But the word of God grew and multiplied. {25} And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

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