Did he address them as absolutely destitute of the vital principle of grace, or as possessing it, but needing exhortation to walk conformably thereto? But there was another reason too. (i) Herod Philip the First. And very ambitious surely he was to please the people who was willing thus to please them! grace of God to sinners of the Gentiles as certainly as to the Jews to those who, in the judgment of the Jews, were nothing but refuse, vile, and unclean. Philip is told by the angel of the Lord to arise and go towards the south towards "Gaza, which is desert." Without this, faith is good for nothing, nor is God Himself honoured in His own word. He was a thoroughly bad ruler and was deposed and banished. And, of course, he wrote his epistles. Settle it invariably that God is wiser than we. If he deflected the trade of Palestine from their ports their revenues would be seriously impaired. It is prayer that expects no answer. Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. Summary: Acts 12 has both answered and unanswered prayers within it. Herod accepted the praise as if he was God, and was punished for it (20-23). Web12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. It would be a mistake to suppose that God had not wrought on the heart of Gentiles. It is granted that man sees difficulty in this: there is what he cannot reconcile; but be assured that the great point is, first, to believe. It must be his spirit. Supplicate, worship. Such, I suppose, therefore, was the principle that lay at the bottom of the difference of the divine action on these two occasions. This Herod was Agrippa the greater, [elder,] the son of Aristobulus, whom his father slew. It was a public privilege he was warranted to confer on the Gentiles thus baptized of the Spirit. So that the attempts of tyrants notwithstanding, God maketh choice of sweet-smelling sacrifices to establish the faith of his gospel. Festus did not have any charges to send with Paul, and so he had asked Herod Agrippa II, the son of this Herod Agrippa I, to hear Paul's case in order that they might develop charges against him to send to Nero when he was sent there. Partner with StudyLight.org as God uses us to make a difference for those displaced by Russia's war on Ukraine. We will deal with Herod Agrippa II, his son, in a few weeks as we move on in the book of Acts. If the blood of his saints, much more the blood of apostles, is precious in his eyes, and therefore, we may be sure, is not shed but upon a valuable consideration. Neither one nor other ever entered into the thoughts or feelings of Simon. B. John Mark who is the author of the Gospel according to Mark. The Passover Feast was on 14th Nisan; for that day and the seven following no leaven must be used and the week was called the days of unleavened bread. It was their responsibility now as ever to accept the gracious offer of God. So he said, "Gird yourself up. To a reflecting believer it will be plain that the reasons for this do not hold at the present time. James the brother of John has been put to death by Herod. But they lived very close to the spiritual world, to the spirit world. 2. Thus it might seem incredible, if it were not the notorious fact, that the only two known manuscripts in favour of that which is here most certainly requisite are the Alexandrian and the Cambridge Graeco-Latin of Beza. Grace can credit grace easily, understands the ways of the Lord, and disarms suspicion. WebDIVINE PRESERVATION PRAYER POINTS. Herod the king - This was Herod Agrippa. His was the first spirit that departed to be with Christ after the Holy Ghost was given. So James is now following his Lord in martyrdom, the brother of John. So he comes to the place where the prayer meeting is being held. What a joy to be warranted to proclaim Him to others without stint, even to a soul as dark as the Ethiopian, who was then and there baptized! It gives teaching on how to face trials and temptations, on the character of true faith, and on many practical matters such as the control of the tongue, the use of wealth and the exercise of patience (James 1:3,James 1:12; James 2:14-17; James 3:2,James 3:13; James 4:1-2; James 5:8). The holy city had rejected the gospel. The profound moral work of God proceeded in that converted heart. And because he did not give God glory, he was smitten by an angel and there died.So the end of Herod Agrippa I. For bloody persecutors, when they perceive themselves applauded for that which every one ought to cry shame upon them for, are encouraged to go on, and have their hands strengthened and their hearts hardened, and the checks of their own consciences smothered; nay, it is as strong a temptation to them to do the like as it was here to Herod, because he saw it pleased the Jews. Looked at another way, this section confirms Israels rejection of her Messiah. Undoubtedly the cruelty of this mad man was restrained and bridled by the secret power of God. . Peter then, with this new-born conviction in his soul, reads the prophets with entirely fresh light and other eyes. They requested one day that they be granted to sit one at the right hand and the other at the left hand of Jesus when He was in His kingdom. The reading of the Sinai MS. ( ) is a mere blunder, not uncommon in that most ancient but not very accurate document, arising from confusion through a contiguous word; it would give the sense of "unto the preachers, preaching the Lord Jesus." We know that Paul thanked God that so it was with himself at Corinth; and we see that Peter here did not baptize, but simply "commanded them to be baptized." How startled this good man but excessively keen controversialist must have been, had he learnt that, beyond all just question, the only tenable text here is destructive of the notion of independent churches, and in reality gives the appellation to the entire body of the disciples throughout these regions, as standing on one common ground, and enjoying full intercommunion, though in these different districts. He was not entitled to take the peace of the gospel till God warranted Peter to bring it to him. "You gotta have faith brother! (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Yet it becomes more than a vivid account of an isolated miracle when we probe below the surface, for this story is an echo of other stories in Luke-Acts and in Jewish Scripture. This is the brother of our Lord. It is scarcely credible that he should lay hands on any of them himself in person; but it is very likely he encouraged his soldiers, or his servants, to abuse them, reproach them, strike and buffet them, as they met with them in the streets; or when at worship, might disturb them, and break them up. One of his wives, Miriam, had a son, Aristopollis that was murdered by Herod the Great, as was Miriam. Placed in a dungeon, Peter had 16 soldiers guarding him (4 squads of 4 each). God does not suggest a doubt of His own grace to them, or of the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice for them: unbelief does. But Luke distinguisheth them from those, whom he calleth afterward [this is precisely where he is mistaken; his reasoning is sound, but his knowledge defective]. 449, 450). How could he resist the heavenly vision? Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Apostles: Acts 12:12 Thinking about that he came to (Acts of the Apostles Ac). It was plain enough to see the Christian assembly in a city, even if it were as numerous as in Jerusalem, where it must have met in not a few different localities and chambers. And he said, Who art thou, Lord?" Why didn't God intervene and miraculously deliver James? That one name, through faith in it, what could it not accomplish? Stephen speaks of Him as Son of man. This is the Herod of our present passage in Acts 12:1-25. There is this difference, no doubt, between such cases now and that of Cornelius then, that, before the mission of Peter, it would have been presumptuous for a Gentile to have pretended to salvation; now it is the fruit of unbelief for a believer to question it. The end of the chapter shows us the progress of Peter. Veszprm a bulik vrosa.. Persze nem csak a partyk, hanem az eskvk is igen npszerek a vrosban. To the argument drawn from the use of similar terms under the Mosaic covenant in a merely national and external sense to prove that they mean the same, and nothing more, under the gospel., our author answers, "Here, in fact, is the real source of the error. But the word of God grew and multiplied. What in our Lord's discourses is a matter of anticipation or prophecy, here appears as a matter of fact. Apologetic: Writes a defense of persecuted Christianity (Acts 13:6-12). Had he not read or heard those words in the prophets? There are, of course, imperfect expressions, inasmuch as the truth itself is but partially apprehended; but one is glad to see views so decidedly in advance of ordinary evangelicalism, with equal decision against more churchism. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. Answering to the vision, messengers bring the apostle to the household of Cornelius, and Peter opens his mouth to the following effect: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Philip had not the discernment to see through him: evangelists are apt to be sanguine. For assuredly he would never have been content with one or two murders, and so have abstained from persecuting the rest, but he would rather have piled up martyrs upon heaps, unless God had set his hand against him, and defended his flock. Peter therefore was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. First, there are saints, or men in whom Christ is formed by an invisible operation of His Spirit, whose origin, however, is not unknown; then these saints proceed to execute their appointed mission" (p. 272). With their friend on the throne, the Jewish hierarchy decided to exterminate Christianity; and there was no reason why they could not have succeeded, except for the intervention of the Father in heaven. Kedvenc terleteim kz tartozik Gyr-Moson-Sopron megye is, nagyon gyakran kapok eskvi megbzst Sopron szvbl, de nagyon szvesen jrok fotzni Tapolcra is elvgre mgis csak ott szlettem. He wished to gain fresh influence, not to lose his old: why not, by this new method, if possible, turn things to his own account? Mi sem egyszerbb, meghvunk minden bartot s bulizunk egy jt. It is always thus in the ways of God. WebPrayer. He visits round about. "All that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord." (These were the days of unleavened bread). They served in three-hour shifts around the clock in guarding the prisoner. Victory Over Stubborn Pursuers 14. ], 4. Hoping to boost his approval ratings even further, Herod had Peter arrested also (v. 3). Observe that, although the next words are beyond a question scriptural, and so far the case differs from verse 37 referred to in the last chapter, the last clause of verse 5 and the first of verse 6 belong properly speaking to two other chapters (Acts 22:1-30, Acts 26:1-32) rather than to this. We are now arrived at a turning-point in the history, not merely of the church, but of the unfolding of the truth of God, and the manifestation of His ways. They were in the church already. There were four such squads because the day and the night were divided into four watches each of three hours duration; and each squad was on duty for three hours at a time. 4. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Oh, what a blessing it is to have and know such a Saviour! The persecutor died but the church continued to grow (24-25). Pray that all the world would be saved and come to a Alas! Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural. (p. There was among them a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, of whom we have had a happy report before, as we shall hear many (though not altogether unmingled) good tidings to the end. The change in James may well be another great example of the power of the Cross to change the lives of men. Faith never rests on any other ground than God's word. 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. There was the freest action of the Holy Ghost, sovereignly free, and it is impossible to maintain this too stringently; and there was the utmost care that all should be left open for the Holy Ghost to act according to His own will, not only within the church, but also by evangelizing outside. On this occasion they of the circumcision see that the Gentiles receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; for they hear them speak with tongues and magnify God, and they were astonished. He was made king by the Emperor Caligula, and was put in possession of all the territories formerly held by his uncle Philip and by Lysanias; viz. And now Paul and Barnabas are returning back to Antioch, and John Mark, who is a nephew to Barnabas, is returning with them. . Ha szeretntek, ott vagyok, de ha nem, akkor szrevehetetlenl teszem a dolgom. Where they really didn't know if it was reality or just some spiritual revelation. Observe, The Jews made themselves guilty of the blood of James by showing themselves well pleased with it afterwards, though they had not excited Herod to it. He would direct attention to the fact, that the ordinary greeting of St. Paul, at the beginning of each epistle, is to the 'saints and faithful brethren' constituting the Church of such a place, fellow-heirs with himself of eternal life; and that throughout these compositions, the members of the Church are presumed to be in living union with Christ, reasonings and exhortations being addressed to them, the force of which cannot be supposed to be admitted, except by those who are led by the Spirit of God; in short, that the members of the Corinthian or the Ephesian Church are addressed as Christians; and a Christian is one who is in saving union with Christ.". This particular Herod was Herod Agrippa I. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him ( Acts 12:4 ); Now a quaternion was actually four soldiers. However, in answer to the prayers of the Jerusalem church, Peter miraculously escaped (6-11). It was not without the deepest searching of heart, though smitten down at once; for how could there be a question as to the divine power? Saul in his zeal had desired letters giving him authority to punish the Christian Jews, and was found on his way journeying near the Gentile city that he sought. To Philip was left Iturea and Trachonitis. "Were the question put to a person of plain understanding, unacquainted with the controversies which have arisen on the subject, What, according to the Apostolic Epistles, is a Christian Church, or, how is it to be defined? The Jews in general were becoming restless concerning the free mixing between Jewish and Gentile Christians, and were angry at the apostles for encouraging it. When the earthly fortunes of the Christians seemed the most precarious, however, providential events took place with sudden finality, lifting the threat completely. Warning: array_slice() expects parameter 1 to be array, null given in /var/www/html/familytimes/includes/rss/esvLookup.php on line 15, View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) , Acts 9:32-43Peter Used by God in Joppa to Heal Beloved Dorcas, Acts 10:1-8Cornelius on a Mission for God, Acts 10:9-22Gods Message to Peter through a Vision, Acts 10:34-48Peter Preaches to Cornelius Household, Acts 11:1-18Peters Defense to the Legalists, Acts 11:19-26Barnabas Seeks Saul to Help with Discipleship, Acts 11:27-2Antioch Believers Send Encouragement to Jerusalem, Acts 12:3-11Continual Prayer Brings Results, Acts 12:18-25Gods Judgment on King Herod, Acts 13:1-12Paul Confronts a Sorcerer at Cyprus, Acts 13:4-12Saul (Paul) Confronts a Sorcerer at Cyprus, Acts 13:13-25Paul and Barnabas Say Farewell to John Mark, Acts 13:26-41Paul Preaches the Gospel of the Resurrection, Acts 13:42-52Gentiles are Receptive to Pauls Message, Acts 14:13-20From God to Stoning Paul Still Committed to Preach, Acts 15:6-11Jerusalem CouncilDiscussion Re: Moses Law, Acts 15:12-21A Decision based on Gods Word, Acts 15:30-41A Disagreement about John Mark, Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our personsbut they are helpless against our prayers. (. He is the Herod of Matthew 2:1-23, who was in power when Jesus was born, who received the Wise Men from the East and who massacred the children. How continually too where we least think they do! And these people depended upon Palestine for their food supplies, and so they were pretty much a vassal to Palestine at this time. From this family history it may be seen that Herod Agrippa of this chapter was a direct descendant of the Maccabees through his mother Mariamne. When redemption was accomplished, it was the seal of the faith and the life which they already had. It is not only in cases of our judgment (for there is nothing that so often judges a man as his own judgment of another); but also where the desire goes out after that which we have not got. Of course, they were seeking to flatter him in order that they might gain his favor and his help. 4. 2. But Peter just kept knocking: and so when they opened the door, they saw him, and they were astonished. They probably believed that God would reestablish The Twelve in the resurrestion. Clearly they were not Christians; but God has all hearts in His keeping. For whereas some make him a third cousin of Christs, who was only some one of the disciples, I do not like of that, because I am by strong reasons persuaded to think that there were no more. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. And he did not know that what was happening through the angel was real but thought that he was seeing a vision, They went through the first and the second guard and they came to the iron door that led into the city and it opened to them of its own accord. But for some reason, God did not see fit to deliver James, but allowed James to fall prey to Herod's sword. The Spread of the Gospel in Judaea and Samaria (Acts 8-12), C. The Spread of the Gospel to the Uttermost Part of the earth (Acts 13-28), How did the Gospel? Matthew 18:19,20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven, Many were gathered together praying.--The facts of the case show that the meeting was held at night, possibly to avoid persecution, or, it may be, as the sequel of the evening gathering to "break bread.". He apparently became a believer only after Jesus resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7; cf. James the half brother of Jesus did not believe the claims of Jesus during His lifetime. Some of our other records tells us that he went to Rome and was there crucified upside down.
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