Acts of the Apostles

Lesson 11 w/AnswersActs 12

Following our study of the model church at Antioch, Luke takes us back to Jerusalem where a famine has begun and Herod is on a campaign to gain popularity with the Jews by persecuting the Church. Probably occurring in 44 AD, some fifteen years after Christ’s crucifixion, Herod picks up where the Sanhedrin left off with the stoning of Stephen. Recorded in Chapter 12 is the account of the martyrdom of the first Apostle to die for the Gospel and for Christ, James the brother of John. James was one of the "sons of Thunder" and one of three people—John and Peter being the other two—to accompany Jesus to the Mount of Transfiguration.

Jerusalem

Following the "success" of Stephen’ death, Herod captures and imprisons Peter, also intending to put him to death following Passover. What follows is a dramatic story about a praying Church, Peter’s faith, and the Lord’s continued protection.

For our study this week, read Acts Chapter 12 and answer the following:

  1. Why did Herod have "James the brother of John" killed? (Acts 12:1)
    1. ANSWER: Herod believed that his remaining in power depended on doing favorable things for the Jews, so persecuting the early church seemed like an easy way to win favor with them. Seeing the positive reaction from the Jews when he had John’s brother, James, killed by the sword; he determined to go after Peter next.
  2. How had Christ referred to James and John? (Mark 3:13-19)
    1. ANSWER: He referred to them as the "Sons of Thunder."
  3. Why would James’ death at the hands of Herod have pleased the Jews? (Matthew 24:9, and John 15:18)
    1. ANSWER: Since the Jews in power in Jerusalem in particular hated the followers of Jesus, they would do anything to put an end to this "movement" called "The Way." James, as one of the "Sons of Thunder," certainly made it publically known that not only was Jesus the Messiah; but that Jews had crucified him, and that on the third day Jesus arose from the grave. Anything Herod could do to put a stop to this would have been welcomed by the Jewish leadership.
  4. While walking with Christ as disciples, then Apostles, what controversy did James and John become involved in? (Mark 10:35-45)
    1. ANSWER: They wanted Jesus to pick them to sit at his right and left hand when Jesus came in his glory.
  5. What was the Feast of Unleavened Bread? (Leviticus 23:1-8 and Deuteronomy 16:16)
    1. ANSWER: This feast followed celebration of Passover by one day. For seven days, the Jews were to eat bread without yeast, and on the first day and the seventh day they were to do no work. They were also to bring an offering—a gift— proportional to the "way the LORD your God has blessed you."
  6. From reading Acts 12:4, what can we tell about Peter’s role and influence in spreading the Gospel, and what Herod thought of Peter?
    1. ANSWER: Clearly Herod believed that Peter was a key leader, and a danger to the Jews. He also must have seen him as a real escape threat, or perhaps he believed that the other Apostles would come and help him escape. We see that he had two guards chained to him at all times inside the cell, and two on guard at all times outside the cell. Herod believed that he had caught a real prize, and wanted to make sure that Peter was held safely until Herod could publicly execute him.
  7. Why do you suppose Herod would have taken such severe measures to make sure that Peter did not escape? (Acts 5:17-20)
    1. ANSWER: Clearly, Herod was aware that a similar arrest by the High Priest and the Sadducees had failed when the prisoners all escaped. He did not want that to happen to him after Peter’ arrest.
  8. How was Peter secured so that he could not possibly escape? (Acts 12:6)
    1. ANSWER: Reiterating, he was chained to two guards, one on each side; plus, two guards were stationed outside the cell; and all of this was in addition to the security of the prison itself.
  9. In Acts 12:8-11, the angels rescue Peter. What does Peter think is actually happening?
    1. ANSWER: Peter believes that he is having a vision, or a dream. He does not believe that it is actually happening.
  10. In Acts verses 12 through 16, Peter goes to the house of Mary. At the time of Peter’s arrival, his fellow apostles were there earnestly praying for his release. What is their initial reaction when Peter knocks on the door?
    1. a. ANSWER: None of them believe it. Mary is so excited that she runs to tell everyone instead of opening the door so that Peter can come in. When she tells everyone that he is at the door, they don’t believe her. All of them knew how securely that Herod must have Peter locked up in the jail, so there was no way that he escaped on his own.
  11. Peter relays the story of how God rescued him from prison then tells them to go and tell James. How can this be, since James was killed in verse 1? (Galatians 2:9)
    1. ANSWER: As we discussed in the first question, the James that Herod killed was John’s brother. This James, the one Peter wants to know that the Lord has freed him, is Jesus’ half brother James, the leader/pastor of the church at Jerusalem.
  12. What happens to the guards who were responsible for guarding Peter?
    1. ANSWER: Herod is incredulous that Peter has escaped and has all sixteen of them executed.
  13. How does Acts 12:19-20 compare to Acts 11:27-28?
    1. ANSWER: In Acts 11:27-28, the revelation that a famine will sweep through the entire Roman Empire is prophesied, and immediately the church agrees it will need to help those living in Judea. In Acts 12:19-20 the people of Tyre and Sidon make peace with Herod because they are dependent on his country for food. Here, there is no sense of commonality or purpose—only survival on the part of those from Tyre and Sidon; and Herod has no idea that a severe famine is coming to the land.
  14. What brought about Herod’s death?
    1. ANSWER: His acceptance of the crowd shouting, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." It certainly pleased him, and since he did not immediately give God the praise, the angel of the Lord killed him; he was eaten by words and died. And so was the end of Herod the Great’s grandson, Herod Agrippa I.

Again, we see that even with death and great persecution, the Church flourished and grew. The work of Christ continues, God’s will be done, and not even the gates of hell will prevail against it. Let’s take encouragement from this week’s lesson that our work in the kingdom is not in vain, God will grant us the victory, Christ will return and will reign in victory. Be certain of it, and as James wrote, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV)

Have a great week everyone!

In Christ,

Wes

[2016]