Acts
Chapter 12
Herod persecutes the church, Peter is rescued, and the word of God continues to grow.
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Acts 12:1–5 — Herod Persecutes the Church
King Herod Agrippa I persecutes the church.
Herod kills James, the brother of John, with the sword.
James is the first of the Twelve recorded as killed in Acts.
Herod sees that this pleases the Jews.
Herod arrests Peter during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Peter is guarded by four squads of soldiers.
Herod plans to bring Peter before the people after Passover.
The church makes earnest prayer to God for Peter.
Acts 12:1–5
Acts 12:6–19 — An Angel Frees Peter from Prison
Peter sleeps between two soldiers, bound with two chains.
An angel appears and a light shines in the cell.
The angel wakes Peter; his chains fall off.
Peter dresses, puts on his sandals, and follows.
They pass the guards; the iron gate opens by itself.
Peter realizes the Lord has rescued him.
Peter goes to Mary’s house, the mother of John Mark.
Many believers are gathered there praying.
Rhoda recognizes Peter’s voice but forgets to open the gate.
The believers initially do not believe Rhoda.
Peter continues knocking; they open the gate and are amazed.
Peter tells them to inform James and the brothers.
Herod searches for Peter and orders the sentries put to death.
Acts 12:6–19
Acts 12:20–25 — Herod’s Death and the Growth of the Word
Herod is angry with Tyre and Sidon.
Their people seek peace because they depend on his country for food.
Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, helps them.
Herod puts on royal robes and delivers a public address.
The crowd shouts, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
An angel of the Lord strikes Herod because he does not give God glory.
Herod is eaten by worms and dies.
The word of God increases and multiplies.
Barnabas and Saul complete their service.
They take John Mark with them.
Acts 12:20–25