Acts 12

http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+12/

King Herod devoted himself to taking down the church through some of its key members. There are people like this today, who criticize Rick Warred (Purpose Driven Life), Rob Bell (pastor in California and maker of Nooma video series), and John Eldredge (Wild at Heart). Herod executed John's brother James, and his execution pleased the Jews so much that Herod looked to execute Peter next. He arrested Peter during Passover and planned to put him on trial after the holy days. The church prayed for Peter constantly. The power of prayer is strong. God listens to prayer. God always answers, but it happens on His time and in His way. In this case, He waited until the day before Herod planned to try Peter. Then, He sent an angel to the prison. The angel filled Peter's cell with light, and told Peter to go with him. Instantly, Peter's chains fell off, and the cell opened to give them a way out. At first, Peter thought He must be dreaming. Even Peter forgets the power of the Lord. Nothing can hold back or block God. No jail can hold Him, not even the Temple can contain Him. Even when we try to block Him from our hearts, He works His way in. Once they safely left the city, the angel left Peter, and he realized what had happened. Peter knew that God intended to save him from the fate Herod planned for him. He ran to the home of Mary, mother of John Mark. A servant named Rhonda answered the door, and when she realized Peter stood outside, she ran back upstairs to tell the believers who were there praying for him. They did not believe her. They did not believe in the power of their prayers. They thought they could explain God and how He would answer them, but He does not do what people expect Him to do. That is why the world did not end when the Catholic church believed and will not when the Mayans predicted. God will not conform to the human way of things. Finally, the believers at Mary's house went downstairs to see Peter. When they saw that it was truly him, they were overjoyed. He tried to keep them silent because he knew Herod would come after him, but he told them to tell the other believers that he was still alive.

Herod went into the city of Caesarea to negotiate with some cities that had upset him. He began making a speech, and the people declared that he must be a god. So God struck him dead at that moment because he did not give the glory to God. Never take credit for yourself about what God has done. After this incident, the Word of God continued to spread.