B. Book of James (brother of Jesus) ~ cont.
3. Evils that cripple true faith - James 4:1-17; 5:1-20
C. Other event preceding missionary journeys
1. Peter imprisoned and delivered - Acts 12:3-19
2. Death of Herod - Acts 12:20-23
D. Paul's first missionary journey (with Barnabas)
1. Cyprus to Perga where Mark leaves - Acts 12:24-25; 13:1-13
Peter, in prison, again! If my count is correct, this would be his third trip - he's managed (by God's provision) to get out each time.
I sometimes marvel at the industriousness of those who oppose the gospel and against those who proclaim it. After being thwarted time and again, one would think that the enemy would disengage. Or is he truly being thwarted? Have we (or are we) as the Bride of Christ, really giving any true resistance? Or are we simply 'playing' at being the church? How much do we really care to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?
Who much different from the world does the Bride of Christ look? Can anyone tell a difference?
Herod imprisons Peter - And when he (Herod) had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:4)
apprehended - G4048 - Probably another form of G971; to squeeze, that is, seize (gently by the hand [press], or officially [arrest], or in hunting [capture]).
quaternions - G5069 - Neuter of a presumed derivative of τέτρας tetras (a tetrad; from G5064); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers.
Soooo (perplexedly computing) - a quaternion is 4 soldiers and 4 of this set = 16 soldiers. Quite a few fellows. Ahhh...Gill settled the question for me. :-) 16 men to guard one. Quite a lot for 1 fellow. I'd be slightly overwhelmed by 16 burly (I am assuming they didn't pick wimps) men.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)
I like that - prayer without ceasing - reminds me of the passage instructing the Bride to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonian 5:17)
prayer - G4335 - From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel).
without ceasing - G1618 - From G1614; intent: - without ceasing, fervent.
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. (Acts 12:6)
sleeping - G2837 - From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease.
keepers - G5441 - From G5442; a watcher or sentry.
kept - G5083 - From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried). [Note: This is the same word used in verse 5.]
I liked Gill's commentary on verse 6 - (I like Gill's commentaries in general :) ) - the same night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers; fearless of death, being in a good cause, and having nothing to ruffle and disturb his mind; and though he was in a prison, and in such company, God gave him, his beloved, sleep.
Regarding the chained issue - bound with two chains; one on one hand, and one on the other, each of which were fastened to the soldiers; that on his right hand was fastened to the left hand of the soldier, that was on that side; and that on his left hand to the right hand of the soldier, on the other side him; such security was made, that he might not get away from them; to which is added.
I am trying to figure out - 16 soldiers initially - were these the ones chained to him? Or were they the keepers of the door?
Herod determined he was NOT going to lose this prisoner! What an encouragement from our brother Peter - in prison, destined for apparent death, yet resting in the Lord, HIS provision and protection enough to sleep - and quite heartily it would appear.
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 of from his hands. (Acts 12:7)
Slumbering well enough NOT to notice a bright light in what was obviously a very dark place and had to be smitten to be awakened. O Lord, help us Your people to rest so fervently in You regardless of the trials, tribulations, tests and bondages which You allow. Help the Bride to pray for those who are bound for the sake of the gospel, to give diligence to intercede for Your chosen people.
Peter is out - seeking his spiritual family - I found it interesting that the damsel who answers the gate - her name is recorded. Rhoda = rose. Would we be worthy of having our name recorded if Scripture were still being written? Something so simple as answering a knock on a garden gate and Father deemed it noteworthy to acknowledge her name. Simply amazing. Thanks be to Him who has ensured that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!
I used to think the ending verse to this passage was unfair. Yet, Father is not unfair. He completely organizes events and circumstances to bring out HIS divine will and plan. Knowing when each man will pass from this temporal plane to the eternal state. Some to everlasting life, others to eternal torment. Do you know your final destination?
And when Herod had sought for him (Peter), and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. (Acts 12:19a)
Herod departs to Caesarea - and until recently I never made the connection of this verse:
"...and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." (Acts 12:23) - I had always wondered how Herod could be eaten of worms and then give up the ghost. Isn't that backwards?
Within the last year or so, I have studied and researched how people can have internal parasites - oh YUCK! internal worms - quite appalling! But that makes sense, Herod, could have had intestinal worms or some other type of internal worm infestation which caused him to expire. All obviously by the divine direction of God.
Gill, Henry and Poole all concur - he was eaten of worms prior to his demise. I will quote Poole on this one, "He was eaten of worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great, that he was eaten up of lice. No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom HE please."
Reminds me of the verse: Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
There are many within the visible church which give the appearance of being righteous, moral, reformed, upright, say the 'right' words, do the 'right' things, etc. etc., but it is all an outward show. Then there are the 'churches' which say they are churches, but are of the synagogue of satan, pretending to 'preach' the gospel, but in reality full of dead men's bones. Acquiescing to the culture and making 'church' fun, seeker friendly, not giving out the medicine of the Word. Lord, help us as the day of Your return draws ever nearer to be cleansed and made holy, meet for Your use, desiring to give a proper estimate of You in all that we say do and think. God preserve us from being full of worms, eaten from the inside out with the ways of the world. Give us a heart to hear, see, read, study and know You and Your Word with a growing intimacy which brings health and life.
C. Other event preceding missionary journeys
1. Peter imprisoned and delivered - Acts 12:3-19
2. Death of Herod - Acts 12:20-23
D. Paul's first missionary journey (with Barnabas)
1. Cyprus to Perga where Mark leaves - Acts 12:24-25; 13:1-13
Peter, in prison, again! If my count is correct, this would be his third trip - he's managed (by God's provision) to get out each time.
I sometimes marvel at the industriousness of those who oppose the gospel and against those who proclaim it. After being thwarted time and again, one would think that the enemy would disengage. Or is he truly being thwarted? Have we (or are we) as the Bride of Christ, really giving any true resistance? Or are we simply 'playing' at being the church? How much do we really care to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel?
Who much different from the world does the Bride of Christ look? Can anyone tell a difference?
Herod imprisons Peter - And when he (Herod) had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:4)
apprehended - G4048 - Probably another form of G971; to squeeze, that is, seize (gently by the hand [press], or officially [arrest], or in hunting [capture]).
quaternions - G5069 - Neuter of a presumed derivative of τέτρας tetras (a tetrad; from G5064); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers.
Soooo (perplexedly computing) - a quaternion is 4 soldiers and 4 of this set = 16 soldiers. Quite a few fellows. Ahhh...Gill settled the question for me. :-) 16 men to guard one. Quite a lot for 1 fellow. I'd be slightly overwhelmed by 16 burly (I am assuming they didn't pick wimps) men.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)
I like that - prayer without ceasing - reminds me of the passage instructing the Bride to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonian 5:17)
prayer - G4335 - From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel).
without ceasing - G1618 - From G1614; intent: - without ceasing, fervent.
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. (Acts 12:6)
sleeping - G2837 - From G2749; to put to sleep, that is, (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively to decease.
keepers - G5441 - From G5442; a watcher or sentry.
kept - G5083 - From τηρός teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried). [Note: This is the same word used in verse 5.]
I liked Gill's commentary on verse 6 - (I like Gill's commentaries in general :) ) - the same night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers; fearless of death, being in a good cause, and having nothing to ruffle and disturb his mind; and though he was in a prison, and in such company, God gave him, his beloved, sleep.
Regarding the chained issue - bound with two chains; one on one hand, and one on the other, each of which were fastened to the soldiers; that on his right hand was fastened to the left hand of the soldier, that was on that side; and that on his left hand to the right hand of the soldier, on the other side him; such security was made, that he might not get away from them; to which is added.
I am trying to figure out - 16 soldiers initially - were these the ones chained to him? Or were they the keepers of the door?
Herod determined he was NOT going to lose this prisoner! What an encouragement from our brother Peter - in prison, destined for apparent death, yet resting in the Lord, HIS provision and protection enough to sleep - and quite heartily it would appear.
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 of from his hands. (Acts 12:7)
Slumbering well enough NOT to notice a bright light in what was obviously a very dark place and had to be smitten to be awakened. O Lord, help us Your people to rest so fervently in You regardless of the trials, tribulations, tests and bondages which You allow. Help the Bride to pray for those who are bound for the sake of the gospel, to give diligence to intercede for Your chosen people.
Peter is out - seeking his spiritual family - I found it interesting that the damsel who answers the gate - her name is recorded. Rhoda = rose. Would we be worthy of having our name recorded if Scripture were still being written? Something so simple as answering a knock on a garden gate and Father deemed it noteworthy to acknowledge her name. Simply amazing. Thanks be to Him who has ensured that our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!
I used to think the ending verse to this passage was unfair. Yet, Father is not unfair. He completely organizes events and circumstances to bring out HIS divine will and plan. Knowing when each man will pass from this temporal plane to the eternal state. Some to everlasting life, others to eternal torment. Do you know your final destination?
And when Herod had sought for him (Peter), and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. (Acts 12:19a)
Herod departs to Caesarea - and until recently I never made the connection of this verse:
"...and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost." (Acts 12:23) - I had always wondered how Herod could be eaten of worms and then give up the ghost. Isn't that backwards?
Within the last year or so, I have studied and researched how people can have internal parasites - oh YUCK! internal worms - quite appalling! But that makes sense, Herod, could have had intestinal worms or some other type of internal worm infestation which caused him to expire. All obviously by the divine direction of God.
Gill, Henry and Poole all concur - he was eaten of worms prior to his demise. I will quote Poole on this one, "He was eaten of worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great, that he was eaten up of lice. No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom HE please."
Reminds me of the verse: Luke 11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
There are many within the visible church which give the appearance of being righteous, moral, reformed, upright, say the 'right' words, do the 'right' things, etc. etc., but it is all an outward show. Then there are the 'churches' which say they are churches, but are of the synagogue of satan, pretending to 'preach' the gospel, but in reality full of dead men's bones. Acquiescing to the culture and making 'church' fun, seeker friendly, not giving out the medicine of the Word. Lord, help us as the day of Your return draws ever nearer to be cleansed and made holy, meet for Your use, desiring to give a proper estimate of You in all that we say do and think. God preserve us from being full of worms, eaten from the inside out with the ways of the world. Give us a heart to hear, see, read, study and know You and Your Word with a growing intimacy which brings health and life.
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