The Book of Acts

Lesson Number 54

TRANSLATION LEGEND: ALT = Analytical-Literal Translation (2005), AMPLIFIED = Amplified Bible (1965), ASV = American Standard Version (1901), BBE=Bible in Basic English (1949), DRA = Douay-Rheims (1899), ERV = English Revised Version (1885), ESV = English Stand Version (2001), GNB = Good News (1966), GWN = God’S Word (1995), IE = International English, ISV = International Standard Version (1967), JPS = Jewish Publication Society (1917), KJV = King James Version (1611), L.ITV = Literal Translation of the Bible ((1976), LIVING = Living Bible (1971), MKJV = Modern KJV (1962), MONTGOMERY = Montgomery’s New Testament (2001), MRD = Peshitta-James Murdock Translation (1852), NAB = New American Bible (2002), NASB = New American Standard Bible (1977), NAU = New American Standard Bible (1995), NIB = New International Bible, NIV = New International Version (1984), NJB = New Jerusalem Bible (1985), NKJV = New King James Version (1979), NLT =New Living Translation (1996), NRSV = New Revised Standard Version (1989), PHILLIPS = J B Phillips New Testament (1962), PNT = BISHOP’S New Testament (1595), RSV = Revised Standard Version (1952), TNK = JPS Tanakj (1985), Webster = The Webster Bible (1833),WEYMOUTH = Weymouth’s New Testament (1903), WILLIAMS = William’s New Testament (1937), TYNDALE = Tyndale’s Bible (1526), WYCLIFFE = Wycliffe New Testament (1382), YLT =Young’s Literal Translation (1862).

---------- Lexicon and Bible Translation Codes with Identification -----------

LEXICON LEGEND: FRIEBERG = Friberg Lexicon, UBS = UBS Lexicon, LOUW-NIDA = Louw-Nida Lexicon, LIDDELL SCOTT = Liddell Scott Lexicon, THAYER = Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, LEH = LEH Lexicon, GINGRICH = Gingrich Lexicon

DISCLAIMER: The quoting of other translations is not to be taken as a condoning of them. My purpose is rather to show the remarkable diversity, and sometimes outright contradictions that exist among these various versions of Scripture. Our understanding of the Word of God ultimately depends upon our comprehension of the Lord Himself and His eternal purpose. Where this understanding is not present, we are shut up to scholasticism and conjecture, both of which are of the world, not of God.

THE DELIVERANCE OF PETER

“^12:6 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. ⁷ 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 off from his hands. ⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. ⁹ And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. ¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. ¹² And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. ¹³ And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. ¹⁴ And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. ¹⁵ And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.” (Acts 12:6-17)

   INTRODUCTION

            In a continuing confirmation of the fact that those in Christ are not of the world, Herod proceeds to carry out his initiative against “certain of the church.” He does this because, to him, it appears as though it is within his power. Whatever privileges believers have are not apparent to him. Although great signs and wonders have been done throughout a period of at least fourteen years, and although the number of believers has swelled, and they have continued to hold on their way, Herod sees them as helpless vassals over whom he exercises political power. So far as Herod is concerned, his undertaking is just beginning, and his popularity with the Jews is increasing. He sees himself as being over the situation, fully able to carry out his own will.

SOMETHING TO BE NOTED

            Now, there is something important that must be noted at this point. Remember, in this book we are confronted with the “newness of life” being lived out in the world. The impact of that life upon both believers and unbelievers is being revealed.

➪     A sterling example has been given us of how those who are alive to God view each other (2:44,46; 4:32; 5:12).

➪     The unity of the believers is apparent: they were “together” (2:44; 4:31).

➪     There has been a witness of the intrusive nature of hypocrisy and the quest for personal advantage (5:1-10; 8:18-24).

➪     We have been introduced to the manner in which those in the grip of a stereotyped religion react to this newness of life (4:1-3; 5:17-18; 7:57-60; 8:1; 9:1-2).

➪     We have seen how those who are inquiring into the truth of Scripture respond to it (4:4; 8:23-39; 10:44-48; 11:17).

➪     The manner in which those who have received the grace of God respond to sound doctrine has been displayed (11:23-29).

➪     An example of the spiritual stamina and aggressiveness of believers who are being persecuted has been displayed (4:20,23-31; 5:29; 8:4; 11:19).

➪     The proneness of the disciples to rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord has been confirmed (5:10-11; 8:14; 9:38; 11:1,22).

➪     Now we are being exposed to the manner in which earthly government views those who believer (12:14).

            In my judgment, the presence of the book of Acts, together with the apostles doctrine, makes it wrong to philosophize about spiritual life. Opportunists who present themselves as experts in life are intruders. While they appear to be within the body of Christ, identifying themselves as Christians, they are actually outside of the circumference of life. Satan is working through them to lure unstable souls into the arena of worldly wisdom, where they can be exploited. Oh, this is not the manner in which these intruders think. They have been deceived, and do not realize they are suggesting that men are really not complete in Christ, and that the grace of God does not address the difficulties with which they grapple.

            It must be observed that men with recovery plans, steps to a better life, and the development of character-forming habits are not present in the church reported in the book of Acts. There is no mass recovery plan presented to the body of Christ. Those who are in Christ are never reminded that “we are all human,” or “we all struggle with this or that,” or “all of us are weak and need help.” No person is ever depicted as proclaiming a purpose that was not revealed by God, through Jesus, and by words of the apostles of Christ. It seems to me that is would be helpful to honestly consider if these observations are true, and if they are, why is it so?

BELIEVERS ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD

            If those in Christ were actually of this world, and life in Him was primarily intended to enhance their lives on earth, what we are reading in this text could not possibly have taken place. If the purpose of redemption is primarily to bring a good life to us in this world, exactly how do you account for the chief priests, the elders, the Jewish council, Saul of Tarsus when he persecuted the church, and Herod the king? How is it that any of them could realize any measure of success in their attack of believers if this world is really the main one, and life in it is the primary life. Is it that they overturned the purpose of King Jesus? Did they thwart what He had designed for His people? And, why could there even be such a thing as a “great dearth” that brought tremendous inconvenience to the saints of God, if Jesus really has a preeminent desire for their welfare in this world. Why did the churches in surrounding areas have to send relief to the brethren in Judea if prosperity is really what God intends for His people?

            The choosing and extrication of people from the world are in order to the obtainment of an eternal inheritance that is reserved for them in heaven. That is why grace teaches us to reject sinful impulses and live in a holy manner while we look for Jesus to return from heaven (Tit 2:11-12). This is why they run the race set before therm “with patience,” or perseverance, “looking unto Jesus” (Heb 12:1-2). By its very nature, faith confirms that those who possess it do not belong to the order of “this present evil world” (Gal; 1:4). Unless it is “strong delusion” that is sent to those who refuse to receive the “love of the truth” (2 Thess 2:10), whatever tends to attach them more firmly to this world cannot possibly be from God. This is particularly heinous when it is presented in the name of Jesus.

A FUNCTION OF THE LIFE OF FAITH

            As believers await their inheritance, living by faith is designed to enhance their appetite for it. In the crucible of conflict, their desires and preferences are enhanced as they learn by experience that the world is just as “evil” as God has said. Primarily, however, they also come to know experientially that Jesus and the benefits He brings are superior to anything and everything this world has to offer. The statement, “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Col 2:10), is more than a mere platitude or religious slogan. It is “of His fulness” that we “receive” (John 1:16). Resources cannot possibly come from any other place.

            I acknowledge that it appears as though I am spending an inordinate amount of time on this subject. However, the fact of the matter is that this is the very thing that is being hidden from our generation. It is not a circumstance unique to our times, but one that is characterized by greater degrees of obscurity. This has been largely caused by the crafty entrance of professionalism into the church. By professionalism I mean a career-centered activity that borrows it strength and imagined expertise from the world.

            The entrance of this mode of thinking has moved men to approach perceived deficiencies in the professing Christians as though the people WERE victims of something they could not control. Therefore a new vocabulary has been hawked and adopted that allows for this kind of thinking. Sin is viewed as addiction, genetic makeup, hereditary tendencies, and sometimes even a disease. In order to address these conditions a system of law is employed. This, like all law, is based on the control of human conduct by outward means. Like all law, it is also a system that does not require faith (Gal 3:12). It also entertains the presupposition that those in Christ remain firmly connected to this present evil world – in character, as well as in outward presence. It is further surmised that one’s character can be altered by means of regimen.

            The circumstances of our text make no sense in such a context. Conditions are introduced that could not possibly be altered by a routine, or a series of steps, or any other codified approach. There is no form of human wisdom that could have accomplished what is reported in this text, which includes peaceful rest, deliverance, and holy assessment.

            We also are exposed to the will of man versus the will of God. As will be confirmed, such a confrontation never falls to the side of the human will. It is God’s will that prevails, for He alone has the right and the power to do what He wants. As it is written, “But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Psa 115:3). In considering this fact, it is important to remember that the will of God does not revolve around humanity. There are higher purposes being served that the personal interests of men and their welfare. Those purposes include, but are not confined to, the following.

➪     The ultimate glory of God (Isa 61:3).

➪     That He might be justified in all of His sayings (Rom 3:4).

➪     That principalities and powers in heavenly places may learn of His manifold wisdom through the church (Eph 3:10).

➪     To prepare a habitation for Himself (Eph 2:22)

➪     That men might know that He is the Lord (Ezek 20:12,26).

➪     That God might be “just” in the justification of men (Rom 3:26).

➪     That men would praise Him for His goodness (Psa 107:8,15,21,31).

➪     He has raised up men to show His power in them, like Pharaoh (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:17).

            It is sign of significant spiritual growth when the works of the Lord are seen as the execution of His will rather than ours. When we come to see that we are not the center of God’s universe, we have come to see something very significant, and with great impact.

   HEROD PREPARES TO IMPLEMENT HIS PURPOSE

            “ ^12:6a And when Herod would have brought him forth . . .” Other versions read, “was about to bring him forth,” ^NKJV “was about to bring him to trial,” ^NIV “was about to bring him out,” ^NRSV “was to bring him out for execution,” ^CSB “Herod was on the point of taking him out of prison,” ^WEYMOUTH and “Herod was planning to bring him out.” ^PHILLIPS

            The word translated “would have” has the following lexical meaning. “to be about to do anything . . . to intend, have in mind, think to” ^THAYER “intend,” ^UBS and “to think of doing, intend to do, to be about to do.” ^{LIDDELL-SCOTT}

            This is the language of purpose, determination, and objective. This is something Herod had determined to do, and he had no thought of his will not being carried out. He was going to bring Peter before the people in the morning, and no doubt condemn and execute him. This was a “king” that had made this decision – one of “the kings of the earth” (Psa 2:2), who are solemnly exhorted by the Psalmist to “praise the Lord from the earth” (Psa 148:7,11). This is one of the kings that had been “set up” by God Almighty, and was therefore responsible to Him (Dan 2:21; 4:17). Just as with Pilate, the power and authority that he had were given to him by God (John 19:11; Rom 13:1). Yet, just as the Herod of Jesus’ time, he was now coming against the Lord (Acts 4:26). This man occupies a throne, has civil authority, and has already executed the apostle James. Now, he fully intends to do to Peter what he had done to James. Will he be able to carry out his will? Judging according to appearance, it seems as though he will. However, that is not a valid way of judging (John 7:24).

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

            There is a manner of preaching and teaching that manages to hide the fact that God is Sovereign: “above all” (4:6). This subtle form of teaching, although not always intentional, leads the individual to think in a non-theocentric manner: i.e. “God is not in all his thoughts” (Psa 10:4). Such a person , robbed of a proper perspective of God, vacillates between “the fear of man” which brings s snare (Prov 29:25), and putting “confidence in man,” which is antithetical to faith (Psa 118:8).

            Entangled in this web of erroneous thought, men blurt out flawed statements like, “God will never violate the free will of man,” or “God will not force a person to do something against their will.” There is a sense in which this is true – such as the appropriation of His great salvation. In that case, willingness is essential. What is more, God is able work in such a way as to cause the people to be “willing in the day of His power” (Psa 110:3).

THE EXAMPLE OF JONAH

            For example, if Jonah is not willing to go and preach to Nineveh as the Lord has commanded, there are options available to God that are not available to men. In that case God took measures that moved Jonah into a state of willingness, then taught him more perfectly in Divine manners.

➪     While Jonah was fleeing from the presence of the Him,“the Lord sent out a great wind” that jeopardized the boat in which he was found (Jonah 1:4).

➪     When Jonah, at his own request, was about to be thrown overboard into the raging sea, the Lord “prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).

➪     There, in the belly of the fish, with the water surrounding him, and the seaweeds wrapped around his head, Jonah found the circumstance to be conducive to prayer. He “prayed out of the fish’s belly,” concluding his prayer with the promise that he would do what he had vowed, and the confession “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:1-9).

➪     Upon that confession, “the Lord spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land” (Jonah 3:10).

➪     The word of the Lord then came to Jonah “the second time saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee” (Jonah 3:1-2). This time, Jonah was willing – he was willing in the day of the Lord’s power!

➪     After declaring to the in habitants of Nineveh that the city was going to be destroyed in forty days, “the people believed God,” proclaimed a fast, and “God repented of the evil that He had said He would do.”

➪     Their response greatly displeased Jonah, and he “prayed unto the Lord,” saying that he knew God was gracious, merciful, kind, and repented of the evil. After asking God to take his life, he went out of the city, made a booth, and sat under it to see what would happen to the city (Jonah 4:1-5).

➪     When the blazing sun rose in the sky, “the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head” (Jonah 4:6).

➪     In order to teach Jonah more of Himself, “God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.” The heat was so severe that Jonah “fainted, and wished himself to die” (Jonah 4:7).

➪     It was at this point that the Lord told Jonah he had pity on a gourd for which he had not labored, and which he had not made to grow. God, however, confirmed the reasonableness of sparing a “great city” in which “120,000 persons not [yet old enough to] know their right hand from their left, and also many cattle [not accountable for sin]” ^AMPLIFIED

            Now, whose will was accomplished in this incident? Whose will prevailed? And, do you not see the way in which God did His will, maintaining absolute control of both nature and man, doing so in a remarkably wise and effective manner? In this account we find the wind, the sea, the fish, the gourd, and the worm serving the Lord. We see Jonah’s mind changed by a circumstance over which he had no power. We also see the mind of the people changed by a message.

            Our text has to do with the same God – a God who is in control and is fully able to implement His will! He is also able to frustrate and bring to nought the counsels of men who seek to thwart or impede His purpose – whether they do it ignorantly or not.

DIVINE NEGATION

            The Word of God declares that God negates the counsels of His enemies. He overturns their purpose, and thwarts their designs.

➪     “He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed” (Job 34:24-25).

➪     “Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemed . . . That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish” (Isa 44:25).

➪     “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect” (Psa 33:10).

➪     “Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it” (Isa 47:13-14).

➪     “Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counselors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt” (Isa 19:11-12).

➪     “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid” (Isa 29:14).

➪     “And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts” (Jer 51:57).

➪     “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him” (Ezek 21:25-27).

➪     “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor 1:20).

➪     “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Cor 3:19).

            When the enemies of Nehemiah took counsel against him, God “brought their counsel to nought” (Neh 4:15). Israel could say to their enemies, “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us” (Isa 8:10). It is not possible to oppose the Lord, His Son, His will, or His Gospel and ultimately succeed! Thus it is written, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD” (Prov 21:30). Again it is written, “There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand” (Prov 19:21).

            When enemies conspired against Judah, determining to trouble them and place their own king in the midst, the word of the Lord came to Isaiah. Here is what he said. “Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass” (Isa 7:5-7).

            Oh, that this were seen more clearly by those who wear the name of Jesus, and that it was proclaimed with power by every professing servant of God! There is no cause to fear men, or to adjust your speech and manners to please olr pacify them. It is far better to determine to please Him who possesses all power.

   THE HOPELESS CIRCUMSTANCE

            “ ^6b . . . the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. . .”

            Fearful and unbelieving hearts are prone to consider the circumstances as though they were set in stone. Without God at the center of our thinking, it is difficult, if not altogether impossible, to think of circumstance as being changeable and transitory. There is also a tendency to resort to men for help – like Israel who went “down to Egypt for help,” trusting in horses and chariots (Isa 31:1).

            Those who resort to men instead of to the Lord will eventually confront a situation where hope withers and dies, and the circumstances become impossible, at least from a human point of view. That is the kind of situation that is chronicled in our text. Not only does it appear hopeless, Herod has already killed James, which suggests to the simple and naive that God has given him leave to operate at will. Or, perhaps, for some it suggests that God is not governing the nations at all, but that they are free to function however they desire.

            We must keep in mind that the Scriptures contain the record of the implementation of the will of God, and not a mere history of occurrences related to that purpose. While they contain human responses to the execution of that purpose, they are really incidental to the purpose itself. If we fail to recognize this reality, we will fall into all manner of intellection snares and traps.

PETER WAS SLEEPING

            “ . . . the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers . . .”

            Having a restful night, and enjoying a peaceful sleep is not always the lot of men. What person is not familiar with restless nights, and concern about circumstances. Yet, here is Peter; James, his close companion for at least 17-18 years having been executed, himself apprehended, and now in prison. So far as appearances were concerned, the apparent expectation was to be martyred. Jesus had told Peter years earlier, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not” (John 21:18). Speaking through the Spirit, who brought the words of Jesus to his remembrance, John said of this saying, “This spake He, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, He saith unto him, Follow me” (John 21:19). Peter had heeded the word of Jesus, following Him from that time until the time of our text when he was behind prison doors.

There Is a Peace that Attends Following the Lord Jesus

            There are benefits to be realized only when one is in the process of following Jesus – that is, of being with Jesus where He is, and doing what He is doing. When Jesus was upon earth, following Jesus involved being with Him when He was in the Temple, on a mountain, in the desert, or in a village. It required the person to be present when Jesus was speaking, and to be a witness to what He was doing. If He was feeding the multitudes, the ones who WERE following Him WERE there, and would be employed in the distribution of the food. If He was en route to raise Lazarus from the dead, His followers WERE with Him. Following Jesus involves being with Him by choice, and it requires that one remain or abide with Him as well.

            There are a significant number of professing Christians who seem to think they can possess what Jesus gives without following Him, as He requires. However, His blessings are simply not dispensed under those conditions, and it is essential that men understand this.

            Now Peter, who was, in fact, following Jesus as He was told, enjoys the benefits that result from that stance. In him, we see a fulfillment of Psalm 127:2: “for so He giveth His beloved sleep.” Again, Peter could say with David, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psa 4:8). I am sure he could say with confidence, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me” (Psa 3:5). And again, he had the kind of assurance and confidence that could say with Jeremiah, “Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me” (Jer 31:26).

            The “peace of God” is like a sentinel that guards the heart and the mind, bringing quietness and stability to the soul. As it is written, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). This is a peace that is like a king, ruling in the heart and thrusting away invasive thoughts and imaginations that would trouble the soul and awaken fear. Thus we read, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col 3:15).

            Therefore, Peter, on what appeared to be the evening before his martyrdom, “was sleeping between two soldiers.” What a testimony it must have been to those men! Perhaps they had also been present when James was beheaded.

PETER BOUND AND THE DOOR OF ENTRANCE GUARDED

             “ . . . bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. . .” Other versions read, “and the guards before the door were keeping the prison,” ^NKJV “guards in front of the door were watching the prison ,” ^NASB “sentries stood guard at the entrance,” ^NIV“guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison,” ^RSV and “guards maintained a strict watch in the doorway of the prison.” ^PHILLIPS

            The circumstances in which Peter finds himself appear hopeless – at least so far as men are concerned.

➪     He has been arrested by a king.

➪     He is incarcerated behind closed doors.

➪     He is bound with two chains

➪     He is positioned between two guards

➪     Guards were at the door of the prison, prohibiting any unapproved entrance, and certainly forbidding any escape.

            Peter, however, is sleeping peacefully, unagitated by the situation in which he found himself. Among other things, this is the result of assuming the posture of a stranger and pilgrim in the world. It is the outcome of being in the world, but not of the world. That stance, however, is meaningful and profitable only to the degree that men are in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the “Captain of their salvation” (Heb 2:10).This is something that cannot be delivered by theological systems, human methodologies, or the philosophies of men. It is rather the solitary prerogative of faith to bring the realization of these things. Peter is not a super-man, but a redeemed one. As he himself acknowledges, the faith that the children of God have “obtained” is “of the same kind” as that of the apostles themselves (2 Pet 1:1).

            While the faith of Peter was designed to accomplish a different work (such as that of an apostle), it is of the same order or kind as ours, and is equally effective in the lives of all who possess it. It brings justification, peace with God, and gives access to the grace wherein we stand. It also brings certain enablements.

   A MINISTER FROM HEAVEN ARRIVES ON THE SCENE

            “ ^7a . . . 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 is every reason to believe that Peter anticipated his martyrdom. After all, his close companion and co-laborer, James, had recently been beheaded. Jesus had even told the twelve that some of them would be killed (Matt 24:9). Although it is said that the church “made” prayer for him (5:5), there is no indication that they were praying for his release. Further, the events of this text will strongly suggest that the deliverance of Peter from death was not the focus of their prayers.

            There are some who are presently teaching that heaven does not, and cannot, move in favor toward men unless prayer is made for the Lord to work. I am not sure of the objective of such a teaching, or precisely what mind-set compels men to say such things. Apostolic doctrine informs us that there are occasions when the knowledge of the saved ones is insufficient to identify their need. In such a case, the Holy Spirit is their Intercessory, and God hears what He says (Rom 8:26-27). Additionally, Jesus is also interceding for the redeemed, and I do not know that His intercession is always driven by human petition, although I do not question that this is the often the case (Heb 7:25).

            I prefer to view this text as an example of the government of Jesus, and of the extent to which He will go to fulfill the will and purpose of God the Father.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM

            And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him . . . ” Other versions read, “Stood by him,” ^NKJV “suddenly appeared,” ^NASB “appeared,” ^NIV “came to Peter,” ^BBE “came there,” ^DARBY “stood next to him,” ^ESV “stood over him,” ^MRD “stood there before Peter,” ^NLT and “was there present.” ^PNT

            Angels are not normally visible to men, for they are “ministering spirits” (Heb 1:14). In Christ, we have come unto “an innumerable company of angels” (Heb 12:22). Though unseen, there is a sense in which they are all around the people of God. As it is written, “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psa 34:7). This is what the angels are sent to do, and they are disposed to do it with zeal. However, it is the word of the Lord that sets them in motion, for they do not operate according to their own will. It is well said of them that they “do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of the Lord” (Psa 103:20). In this text we have a sterling example of an angel responding to the commandment of the Lord, and hearkening to His voice.

            The idea here is not that the angel appeared, or was made visible, for Peter was asleep. Rather, the point being made is that the angel came on the scene to do something. Thus the KJV reads, “came upon him” (Peter). The Greek word used here is evpe,sth, which means, “to stand by, be present . . . stand over one, place oneself above.” ^THAYER The idea is that the angel of the Lord identified himself with Peter, and will now take up his cause. Just as Daniel as told that Michael the great angel would “stand up” for the people of Israel (Dan 12:1), so an angel now stands up, as it were, for Peter. He focuses his attention upon Peter as the angel of the Lord did to Paul when he stood by him (Acts 27:23).

            Angels do not come to visit or to merely spectate, but to work, for they are “sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Heb 1:14). You may be sure that there is no human opposition that is effective against even one angel. They are absolutely superior to humanity in its most impressive form. That is precisely why they are said to “excel in strength” (Psa 103:20).

A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON

            . . . and a light shined in the prison . . .” Other versions read, “shone in the cell,” ^NASB “a great light was shining in the room,” ^BBE “shined in the house,” ^GENEVA “his cell was filled with light,” ^GWN “light shone in all the building,” ^MRD “light shined in the habitation,” ^PNT “shined in the lodge,” ^TNT “shone in the buildings,” ^YLT and “a light shone in the place where he was.” ^AMPLIFIED

            Sometimes I marvel at the ambiguity that is promoted by some of the translators. It appears that at times their scholastic mind overshadows their spiritual aptitude: “cell,” “room,” “house,” “all the building,” “the lodge,” and “the buildings.” Well, where did the light shine? Was it in the whole complex of buildings, the prison house in general, or the place in which Peter as located? The stress of this text is that the angel came to Peter, and will deliver Peter alone. The light is, as the Amplified Bible well says, “where [Peter] he was.”

            This was a discreet deliverance, designed only for Peter. Some time later, when Paul and Silas were in prison, there was a mighty earthquake, “all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” In that case, rather than leaving the prison, Paul and Silas remained, and all of the prisoners with them (Acts 16:26-27). During that occasion the jailor was made privy to what had occurred, and was “saved” with all of his house before the evening was over (Acts 16:30-34). But that is not what happened here. Only Peter will be delivered, and the prison keepers will not know what happened, nor will they be saved.

            Angels are often associated with light, glory, or brilliance. When an angel announced the birth of Jesus to certain shepherds, “the glory of the Lord shone round about them” (Lk 2:9). John saw angel who had great power, “and the earth was lightened with his glory” (Rev 18:1). In this text, the light that filled the place where Peter was being held no doubt emanated from the angel himself.

A Type Seen

            There is a beautiful spiritual type seen here. Deliverance occurs in the environment of light, or illumination. When Israel went out of Egypt at midnight, they were accompanied by a cloud that gave them light (Ex 13:21). David spoke of the Word of God accompanying his progress: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa 119:105). Solomon declared much the same when he said, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov 4:18).

            In Christ Jesus, enlightenment is a principle factor in deliverance from the power of darkness. Conversion itself involves being “enlightened” (Heb 6:4), or “illuminated” (Heb 10:32). Paul accounts for the new birth in this way: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:6). Spiritual growth is depicted as walking “in the light” (1 John 1:7), and the “eyes of our understanding” being “enlighten ed” (Eph 1:17).

            I find myself having an increasing disdain for spiritual ignorance within the Christian community. Preaching and teaching that promote such ignorance are an abomination, and there is no way to dignify the matter. There are also messages that represent themselves as being filled with wisdom and understanding, and yet they leave people in the dark concerning matters pertaining to life and godliness. These have not come from God. Instead, they are the words of Satan himself, who “is transformed into an angel of light.” He also enables his ministers to be “transformed into the ministers of righteousness,” promulgating methods and techniques that claim to liberate and assist ailing humanity (2 Cor 11:14). Yet, after men have embraced their words, they remain fundamentally ignorant of God, with affections that are firmly nailed to the earth.

            Just as surely as Peter’s deliverance was accompanied by light, so those who are delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son are accompanied by spiritual illumination. Within the framework of that enlightenment, they see themselves, the world, God, and Christ is the freshness of a new dawn.

HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP

             “ . . . and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up . . .” Other versions read, “struck,” ^NKJV “tapped,” ^RSV “touching him,” ^BBE “striking,” ^CSB “having smitten,” ^DARBY “nudged,” ^GWN “pricked,” ^MRD “slapped,” ^LIVING and “gently smote.” ^AMPLIFIED

            The word from which “smote” is translated is pata,xaj. As used here, it means “to strike gently” ^THAYER and “as giving a light or gentle blow touch, strike.” ^FRIBERG It is also used other places in the sense of “to strike, smite: absolutely,” ^THAYER and “inflicting a heavy or fatal blow strike (down)” – as when Peter “struck a servant of the high priest,” cutting off his ear (Matt 26:51).

            For an angel, the blow was a very light one. However, it was sufficient to awaken Peter from a peaceful and sound sleep. In this way the angel “raised him up,” “roused him up,” ^NASB or “woke him up.” ^NIV The word translated “raised” means “to arouse from sleep, to awake.” ^THAYER

            This also is a type of being awakened spiritually, when a person comes to himself like the prodigal did among the swine (Lk 15:17). This speaks of the time when the individual sees things more clearly, and leaving the world and fleeing to Christ make perfect sense. Any progress in spiritual life must be preceded by waking up, so to speak, and being aroused from slumber. Therefore it is written, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom 13:11). Again, it is written, “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame” (1 Cor 15:34). And again, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Eph 5:14). A slumbering church is in prison, just like Peter, except he knew it, and they do not.

ARISE UP QUICKLY

            “ . . . saying, Arise up quickly. . .” Other versions read, “Get up quickly,” ^NASB Quick, get up!” ^NIV “Hurry! Get up!” ^CSB “Arise, instantly,” ^MRD and “Rise in haste.” ^YLT

            Peter must not tarry, but respond instantly to the word of the delivering angel. There is a sense in which his deliverance depends upon his response, just the deliverance of Lot. The angels who delivered Lot said to him, “Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither” (Gen 19:22). In Peter’s case, the angel will lead him, make the way clear for him, and bring him out of confinement. However, he must respond immediately, making no delay. Even though roused from a deep sleep, he must get up immediately.

            This too is the manner of the kingdom. Many a professing believer has been overcome by sin because they did not respond to the summons to get up quickly. They knew they should get up, preparing to leave the place in which they have been found – but they did not do so. They may have heard the voice of the Spirit saying, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor 6:17). But they did not respond, imagining that God would give them more time to make up their mind. And what of the countless souls who remain in the confines of spiritual Babylon, noted for its whoredom and unfaithfulness to God. The word has gone forth, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev 18:4). Refusing to heed the word, they sleep on in the cursed domain which God has destined for destruction (Rev 14:8; 16:19; 18:2,10,18-21). There is no way to justify delaying to obey the word of the Lord! Deliverance depends upon a response to His word!

   HIS CHAINS FELL OFF

            “ ^7b . . . And his chains fell off from his hands.” Other versions read, “fell off Peter’s wrists,” ^NASB “came off his hands,” ^BBE “dropped from his wrists,” ^WEYMOUTH ‘At once the chains fell off his hands,” ^WILLIAMS and “fell away from his hands.” ^PHILLIPS

            It appears from the text that as soon as Peter commenced to get up, the means by which he was bound to the soldiers no longer held him. As Peter was getting up, the chains that confined him fell off! In this manner, the soldiers between whom he was positioned were not aroused. Additionally, all of the soldiers were probably in a state of stupefaction due to the presence of the angel – like the angels were at the tomb of Jesus (Matt 28:4).

            There are several instances in which miracles were wrought while the people were responding to Jesus’ command. That is, Divine power was dispensed at the point when the individual responded in faith to the word of the Lord.

➪     THE MAN LOWERED THROUGH THE ROOF. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house” (Matt 9:6-7).

➪     THE IMPOTENT MAN AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA. “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath” (John 5:8-9).

➪     THE MAN WITH HE WITHERED HAND. “Then saith He to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other” (Matt 12:13).

➪     THE TEN LEPERS. “And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14).

            This is the nature of Divine working. It is at the point of the response of faith that freedom is experienced. At that point, whatever bound the person has no more power. It is precisely then that the individual experiences the reality spoken by Jesus: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). Ponder what a reproach it would be to Jesus if a man whom He had healed from blindness was found groping about the city a few days later. Or, what of the man with the withered hand finding that only a few days later his hand became useless. What if the impotent man who took up his bed and walked soon had to return to that same bed because his legs could no longer support him? Would this have brought glory to the Lord Jesus?

            Even so in this text, as Peter made his exit from the prison, his chains were no longer on him, for they had no power to retain him. He was not dragging them as he commenced following the angel.

A DEPICTION OF LIBERTY IN CHRIST

            Keep in mind that this is a depiction of what occurs in Jesus Christ. There is a very real spiritual liberty that corresponds to the liberation of Peter. Those who are freed from sin have this word fulfilled in them: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom 6:14). Further, Jesus frees us to continue in a state of freedom. There is nothing about salvation that allows for the continuation of the domination from which we were freed. Therefore it is written, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal 5:1). The Amplified Bible reads, “IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].”

            It is at the point that sins are forgiven that we are freed from their power! To say it another way, freedom commences at the time of deliverance. Although the capacity to sin remains in us, it is confined to “the old man,” who is vastly inferior to “the new man.” The power of sin cannot exceed the degree to which sin is desired – and regeneration addresses that situation. As it is written, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts,” or “ with its passions and desires” ^NKJV (Gal 5:24). In addition to this, when the “lusts” of desire surface through that “old man,” salvation fully provides for them to be denied, or rejected – i.e. for the person to absolutely refuse to yield to them. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

            In view of this revealed circumstance, what has really happened when a person who has been forgiven and is in Christ, does, in fact, sin? Here are some of the things that have taken place. They assist in providing a very needful perspective.

➪     They did not walk in the Spirit, for if they had, they would not have fulfilled the lusts of the flesh (Gal. 5:116).

➪     They did not receive the teaching of the very grace that brought salvation, or they would have rejected sinful desires (Tit 2:11).

➪     They provided a place in their lives in which Satan could work. That is why he gained the dominance over them (Eph 4:27).

➪     They did not resist the devil, and that is why he did not “flee” from them (James 4:7).

➪     They WERE not “steadfast in the faith,” and WERE therefore unable to resist the devil (1 Pet 5:7-8).

➪     They ignored the way of escape that came with the temptation (1 Cor 10:13).

            None of these facts suggest that no believer can “sin” (1 John 2:1), or be “overtaken in a fault” (Gal 6:1). However, they do confirm that such things do not occur because the saved are helpless, or cannot manage their lives. Salvation – real salvation – introduces a condition defined as “reigning in life” (Rom 5:17), and being “more than conquerors” (Rom8:37). Jesus described the condition as having life “more abundantly” – that is, it supercedes all of the things that are against it (John 10:10).

            Precisely what kind of salvation is it that frees the person, yet leaves the chains on their hands? What kind of Divine work is it that forgives sin, yet leaves the person under its power? Who would dare preach a Gospel like that? Who is the imposter who would suggest that Jesus did, in fact, forgive us of “all trespasses,” yet leave us under the power of the sins of our ancestors, or helpless victims of personal proclivities and desires?

            Does all of this seem foolish? Such a Gospel is being perpetrated by all who suggest that those in Christ have unmanageable lives, or are under the power of personal inclinations that must be dealt with by a procedure created by men. The word of God informs us that those who are living in the snare of the devil, being taken captive at his will, can “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil” by simply repenting and acknowledging the truth (2 Tim 2:25-26). John says it this way, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” or “[everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]” ^AMPLIFIED (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness deals with the propensity to sin as well as the act of sin itself.

            When believers in Christ are taught to say their lives are not manageable, and that they are helpless, they have been taught a lie. There is no way to dignify such a heresy. How is it remotely possible for anyone who is joined to the Lord to be “helpless?” How can one who is joined to the Lord be said to have a life that is out of control? And, if such a condition can exist, then precisely what advantage is there to being “in Christ,” being a “believer in Christ,” or being one of His followers?

            Those who embrace such nonsense might as well look for the chains to still be on Peter’s hands as he came out of the prison. Or, perhaps he might be pictured as still chained to the guards who walked along with him as he followed the angel. If such a thought sounds foolish, it is because it is!

   THE ANGEL SAYS, “FOLLOW ME”

            “ ⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.”

            Having been freed from the shackles that held him, Peter is now ready for deliverance from the domain in which he had been held – the prison house itself. He was not made free to remain in the prison, but to leave it. Being made free did not allow for him to remain in the domain in which he was confined, but prepared him to make a “clean escape” from it.

GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDALS

            “And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did . . .” Other versions read, “put on your clothes and sandals,” ^NIV “Dress yourselves and put on your sandals,” ^NRSV “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals,” ^RSV “Put on your shows and get ready to go,” ^BBE “Fasten your girdle . . . and tie on your sandals,” ^WEYMOUTH Tuck in your shirt and put on your sandals,” ^ISV and “Tighten your belt and put on your shows. ^WILLIAMS

            This was Peter’s preparation for escape. To “gird” himself was to prepare for travel – tucking his garments and tightening the belt that held his garments in place. His feet needed protection during the escape, and therefore he put on his shoes.

CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE

            “And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee . . .” Other versions read, “Put on your garment,” ^NKJV “Wrap your cloak around you,” ^NASB “Cast thine upper garment about thee,” ^DARBY and “Put your coat on.” ^GWN

            Having attired himself with his regular clothing and shoes, the angel now tells Peter to put on his outer garment – his cloak, or coat. This would provide warmth during the night air and make his escape without unnecessary discomfort.

            In effect, Peter was taking what belonged to him, and would assist him in his journey, not leaving it in the prison. He also left behind what no longer belonged to him – his shackles, or chains.

In this respect, he was much like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they left the fiery furnace, they were in their clothes, and their bonds were removed and left in the furnace (Dan 3:25-27). They even left the smell of the furnace behind them.

FOLLOW ME

            “ . . . and follow me.” Other versions read, “come with me,” ^BBE and “come after me.” ^MRD

            This part of the escape was imperative. It would have done Peter no good to gird himself, put on his sandals, and wrap his coat around him, if he did not follow the angel out of the prison house. There would have been no purpose to the chains falling off his hands if he did not “follow” the one who was freeing him. Peter was not freed from his chains in order to move about in the prison house with greater liberty. There really would be no deliverance at all if this word was not obeyed, and done do instantly, for the angel was on the move.

SALVATION PREFIGURED

            In this account we have a marvelous picture of the liberty that is realized in Christ Jesus. It is revealed in remarkable detail, and is worthy of our consideration. This is not forcing something into the text, for all of God’s workings are with His eternal purpose mind. Thus we read of “Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” ^NIV (Eph 1:11).

            Foregleams of salvation can be seen in the purposeful working of the Lord. Examples include the following:

➪     Creating man for the purpose of dominion. Man was placed in the garden, told what he could do and not do, and given dominion over the works of God’s hand.

➪     Having Noah build an ark for the purpose of saving his house. The Lord provided plans for the building, told him of the duration and the project, and kept him safe during the trial of the flood.

➪     Delivering Israel out of Egypt, in order to bring them into the promised land. He brought them our with power, sustained them in a wilderness, and enabled them to overcome their foes.

➪     The miracles of Jesus – a depiction of the what is involved in being delivered from sin: i.e. opening blinded eyes, opening deaf ears, causing one to walk, dispelling the powers of darkness, etc.

            Now, a picture of the salvation is seen in the deliverance of Peter.

Awareness

            Before any actual deliverance was realized, Peter was made aware of its nearness. He was awakened from his sleep, and became alert. This parallels the awakening that comes when a person is convicted by the Holy Spirit. That conviction involves an awareness of the sin of unbelief, which parallels being held in prison. It involves the conviction of righteousness – that only Jesus is righteous, and we must be brought into the condition that exists only in Him. The needed conviction also brings a persuasion that Satan had already been judged, and it is not possible to be aligned with Him without losing everything. Jesus said, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:9-11).

            No one is spiritually awake who is not keenly aware of these realities. Such are asleep in the prison house of sin, bound with the fetters of iniquity, and held fast by the wicked one.

Response

            In order for an escape to be facilitated, the awakened soul must respond to the conviction that has been brought through the Holy Spirit. Just as Peter got up, so they must get up from the bed of unbelief, and raise up from the posture of slumber. Even though their situation may appear hopeless, they must get themselves in a condition that will allow movement toward the Lord. This involves repentance and the heightening of the desire to be free. It also includes being baptized into Christ and acknowledging that He is the Son of God.

Freedom

            When Peter got up, his chains fell off. So it is with those who repent and call upon the Lord – those who act upon the word of the King and set their face to dwell forever with the Lord. No person comes out of the waters of baptism with shackles – no one! There has never been a person who “obeyed the form of the doctrine” (Rom 6:17), yet remained a slave to sin. At the point a person comes into Christ, they are “made free from sin” (Rom 6:18,22). This involves not only being freed from the guilt of sin, but from its power as well. Those in Christ are no longer debtors to, or obligated to live after, “the flesh” (Rom 8:12).

Preparation

            In order to enjoy freedom in Christ, people must prepare for it. This is done by:

➪     Girding the “loins of your mind” (1 Pet 1:13), and putting on proper frames of mind (Col 3:12).

➪     Putting on “the new man” (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10).

➪     Putting on “the armor of light” (Rom 13:12), and “the whole armor of God” (Eph 6:11; 1 Thess 5:8).

            It also involves bringing forth “fruits meet for repentance,” or “in keeping with repentance” (Matt 3:8). Paul taught people that in coming to Christ they were to “repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Acts 26:20). As Peter also confirmed, coming to Christ is to be preceded by a change in conduct that results from a change of mind. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Note that the phrase “Repent and be converted” preceded the blotting out of sins, being a requisite to the reception of that blessing. This required change of conduct is much like a man with a withered hand stretching out his hand, or an impotent men picking up his bed and walking – it must be done! When the person exerts his will and effort to do it, power will be given for its accomplishment.

Journey

            Once his shackles fell off, he was girded, his sandals on, and his coat wrapped around him, Peter was ready to make the journey. He was not freed to choose his own way of escape, but to follow the one who was delivering him.

            Even when Jesus was on earth, He made clear what men were to do: “Follow me” (Matt 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; Matt 16:24; 19:21; Lk 9:23; John 1:43; 10:27; 12:26; 21;19). Our freedom initially and in its maintenance requires that we follow Jesus. That is, that we be where He is, remaining close to Him and abiding in Him.

            There is one other thing that is important to note. The journey was not the escape itself, but the trip to the appointed destination. The point was where he was going!

            So it was when Israel was delivered from Egypt. Technically, the deliverance was not realized in a journey. All of Israel made an exit from Egypt in a single night. It was the trip to the promised land that constituted the journey – and that journey could only be made when they were free from the encumbrances of Egypt.

            It is a fundamental error when men depict escape from sin as a process requiring an extensive period of time and a regimented series of steps. The process is associated with transformation – something that is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, and through which we become more and more like Jesus. This is expressly stated in Second Corinthians 3:18, which describes our ongoing change. Of course, that is a process upon which men cannot capitalize. The truth of the matter is that men are delivered by Jesus in order for the Spirit to change them. That transformation is required to be forever with the Lord.

   PETER FOLLOWS WITHOUT COGNITION

            “ ⁹ And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.”

            There is something to be seen here that is most precious. Even though Peter is not fully aware of what is happening, it is his nature to respond to the directive of the angel. The laws of God had been written upon his heart and put into his mind (Heb 8:10). His basic propensity was toward the Lord (Phil 3:7-15). He was fundamentally inclined to do the will of the Lord. He was living in the Spirit (Gal 5:25) and by faith (Gal 3:11). His nature was not to rebel, for he had been made a partaker of Christ (Heb 3:14; Isa 50:5). It was not to draw back (Heb 10:38), or even be tardy in his responses (Psa 119:60). He was forward to do the will of the Lord – even when he thought he was seeing a vision.

            In our time, there are professed preachers and teachers who are constantly reminding the church of their recalcitrant nature. They speak of a natural disposition that recoils at Divine directives, is slow and obtuse, and basically unwilling to obey the Lord. They have said these things so often, and with such persuasiveness, that the very mind-set of the modern church is inclined in this direction. A host of specialized ministries have also been created to deal with the circumstance of rebellion against God. Oh, they do not call it rebellion. They choose to refer to the wayward condition as one in which the people are victimized by addiction, dysfunction, flawed habits, and a flawed family tree. You must know that salvation deals with waywardness.

            In this text, however, we are being exposed to a real “Christian,” not one that is nothing more than the result of defective teaching. This is the account of a person who has been born again (1 Pet 1:23), created in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10), and cleansed by the washing of regeneration (Tit 3:5). This is a man who is walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7) and in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). His instant and thorough response is not a miracle, but is rather the result of being dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God (Rom 6:11).

AND HE WENT

            “And he went out, and followed him; . . .” Other versions read, “went out and continued to follow,” ^NASB “followed him out of the prison,” ^NIV “went out after him,” ^BBE “going forth he followed him,” ^DARBY “came out and followed him,” ^GENEVA “left the cell, following the angel,” ^NLT “having gone forth, he was following him,” ^YLT “the angel went out and Peter followed,” ^IE “went out and began to follow him,” ^ISV and “kept following him out.” ^WILLIAMS

            Peter’s deliverance was miraculous, and there is no question about it. However, he himself was involved in the deliverance. He “went out,” first preparing to do so by readying himself, and then participating in the deliverance by following the angel out of the prison.

            Here again we are exposed to the nature of salvation. The Lord works, and men participate!

            This is how Noah was saved from the flood. He responded to the Divine warning, built an ark, gathered food to be eaten, and gathered a host of animals – clean animals in groups of seven, and unclean in pairs (Gen 6:13-7:3).

            This is how Israel was delivered from Egypt. They prepared themselves to leave by observing the Passover, placing blood upon the entrance to their homes, packing their goods, gathering their flocks, obtaining goods from the Egyptians, and even preparing and baking bread for their preliminary journey (Ex 12:18-41).

            This is how Israel was commanded to obtain the promised land. They had to conquer Jericho, enter the land, drive out its inhabitants, and faithfully keep the ordinances of the Lord (Josh 6; Num 33:54- 55; Deut 28:9).

            Our text, together with these accounts and a host of others, clarify what it meant by the apostolic injunction, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12).

HE WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE

             “ . . . and wist not that it was true . . .” Other versions read, “did not know . . . was real,” ^NKJV “had no idea . . . was really happening,” ^NIV and “was not certain . . . was a fact.” ^BBE

            Although Peter was on his way out of the prison, he did not know if it was a real experience or not. At this point, his understanding was deficient, but his obedience was not.

DONE BY THE ANGEL

            “ . . .which was done by the angel . . .” Other versions read, “being done by the angel,” ^NASB “what the angel was doing,” ^NIV “with the angel’s help,” ^RSV “through the angel,” ^CSB “by means of the angel,” ^DARBY “what the angel was doing,” ^GWN and “done through the messenger.” ^YLT

            All of the circumstances that attended this deliverance were “being done by the angel.” ^NASB This includes the peaceful awakening of Peter, his chains falling from his hands, directions concerning proper preparations and total unawareness of all of the soldiers, both within and without the cell in which Peter was kept.

            Behold how earthly circumstances whether personal or impersonal, yield to the angel of the Lord. What was a hopeless situation from the earthly point of view, was no challenge at all to a holy angel. This would be nothing more than an interesting fact if we were not given some additional information concerning angels that is pertinent to our circumstance. “ , , , the angels . . . Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb 1:13-14). This gives us good reason to refuse to be cast down because of difficult circumstances!

HE THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION

            “ . . . but thought he saw a vision.” Virtually all versions read “vision.” Departures from this representation are found in The Living Bible (“a dream or vision”), Williams New Testament (“he thought he was dreaming it”), and Contemporary English Version (“only a dream”).

            In the Scriptures, there is one word for “vision,” and another for “dream.” These words are used in Acts 2:17, where Joel is quoted as prophesying that young men would “see visions,” and old men would “dream dreams.” The general distinction between the two words is that a “dream” occurs while one is asleep, while a “vision” is seen while one is awake. Both are given by God, and are revelatory in nature.

            Peter knew that he was awake, and even moving about. Yet, he thought he was experiencing a vision – something like he did when on “the housetop” of the house of Simon the tanner (Acts 10:10-17). He was not yet aware of what was really taking place.

            It ought to be noted that there are things that really do happen to us, even though there may be a period of time when we are not fully aware of them. Nevertheless, they are very real, and yield very real effects. An example of this is the new birth in which we become dead to sin and alive to God. Initially, such an experience may appear to be nothing more than an ideal view, or something toward which we are to progress. But this is not the case. Just as Peter’s deliverance was very real, so what takes place when we are bapized into Christ is very real. This is precisely why Paul reasoned with believers as he did concerning overcoming sin. “Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life. For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin. For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men]. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus” ^AMPLIFIED (Rom 6:3-11).

            Just as surely as Peter had to be brought to see that his deliverance was real, so we must see that our deliverance is also very real! Reigning in life will commence at point this is seen.

   AS PETER FOLLOWS, CIRCUMSTANCE YIELDS TO HIM

            “ ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”

            The details of the deliverance are provided, for the details are the means by which the deliverance is more fully discerned. Both Peter’s deliverance from the prison and our deliverance from sin is presented in summary form. It is this summation that establishes the cause of the deliverance. The details are provided to confirm its effectiveness. However, the details have no impact upon the human spirit until the cause for the deliverance is established. This is a nugget of truth that brings great comfort to the believer.

THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD

            “When they were past the first and the second ward . . .” Other versions read, “the first and second guard posts,” ^NKJV “the first and second guards,” ^NASB “the first and second watchmen,” ^BBE “the first guard, then the second,” ^NAB “the first and second watch,” ^TNT and “first and second cell blocks.” ^LIVING

            The word “ward” can refer to the post where the guard was stationed, or the guard himself. ^STRONG’S Either meaning is acceptable here, for the point is that they passed the places where a guard or guards were found, stationed at their various posts to secure the prisoner. However, even though Herod had made provision to keep Peter in prison, the angel led him past those who were in charge of him, and they did not even know it.

            Behold the comparative ease with which Peter’s deliverance was accomplished – even though the circumstances appeared to shout out that such a thing was altogether impossible. As the angel and Peter proceeded, they did not crouch down and attempt to hide themselves. They “past by” those who were charged with making sure their prisoner did not escape. Peter’s enemies were completely oblivious to what was going on. They could see neither the angel nor Peter, and their ears were closed to any sounds emitting from them.

            When faith brings an understanding of this kind of deliverance, it becomes all the more reasonable to cast our care upon the Lord, as we are enjoined to do (1 Pet 5:7).

            It seems to me that Scripture is written to bring great comfort to those who are living by faith, while, to others, it appears to be nothing more than a record of history and an outline for human conduct. The doctrine of Scripture declares the realities that are grasped by faith. The historic incidents of Scripture are a kind of exposition of the implications of the doctrine.

THEY CAME TO THE IRON GATE

            “ . . . they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city . . .” I have forty-four versions of Scripture that all say precisely the same thing: “iron gate.” This was a formidable gate that separated the prison from the city. Iron is a processed metal, refined in a furnace, and noted for its great strength. When God spoke of heaven being impenetrable because of the wickedness of the people, He said, “I will make your heaven as iron” (Lev 26:19; Deut 28:23). In such a case, prayers could not go up, and rain could not come down. Referring to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, Moses said the Lord had taken them out of “the iron furnace” (Deut 4:20). When the people were judged, and put into the hands of their enemies, they were said to have a “yoke of iron” upon them (Deut 26:48). Formidable opponents were said to have

“chariots of iron” (Judges 1:19; 4:3,13). The head of Goliath’s spear was made of “iron,” and weighed fifteen pounds (1 Sam 17:7). Daniel was given a vision of a kingdom – the fourth kingdom – that was characterized by unusual strength. It is said to have been “strong as iron” (Dan 2:40).

            When, therefore, we read of an “iron gate,” we are being introduced to something noted for stability. As men consider things, it was fully capable of keeping prisoners in, and intruders out. However, that is the view of mortals. In this text, an angel from heaven has appeared on the scene, and what is unconquerable to men, is not even a faint consideration to the angel.

IT OPENED ITS OWN ACCORD

            “ . . . which opened to them of his own accord . . .” Other versions read, “by itself,” ^NASB “it opened for them,” ^ESV and “Of its own accord [the gate] swung open.” ^AMPLIFIED

            The angel did not speak to the gate: it opened of its own accord. Peter did not push the Gate: it opened of its own accord. No special word from heaven was given that was to be spoken to the gate: it opened of its own accord. In other words, the gate yielded to a power greater than its own. That is true of all power, whether natural or spiritual. Winds, noted for their ferocity and power, yielded to Jesus (Mk 4:39a). A stormy sea, noted for its destructive power, yielded to the Lord (Mk 4:39b). Demons, capable of captivating and dominating mortals who are not in communion with God, yielded to Jesus Christ (Mk 1:25; 9:25). A fever that was controlling Peter’s mother-in-law, yielded to the rebuke of Jesus (Lk 4:39). Death, having held Lazarus in the tomb for four days, yielded to the word of Jesus (John 11:43). Even the devil himself, when confronting the Lord Jesus, could not resist the command of Christ, who said to him: “Get thee hence!” It is written that at that point, “the devil leaveth him” (Matt 4:11).

            Thus, the restraining gate refused to stay closed as the angel of the Lord and the one being escorted by him approached: it opened “of its own accord.” It ought to be noted that those who refuse to yield to the Lord have less sense than an iron gate.

THEY WENT OUT, PASSED THROUGH ONE STREET, AND THE ANGEL DEPARTED

            “and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”

            Notice the progress that has taken place to this point. It is, in a sense, the depiction of the progress of faith.

➪     Peter awoke.

➪     Peter got up.

➪     Peter girded himself.

➪     Peter put on his sandals.

➪     Peter put in his cloak.

➪     Peter followed the angel out of the cell.

➪     Peter followed the angel past the first ward.

➪     Peter followed the angel past the second ward.

➪     Peter followed the angel through the iron gate.

➪     Peter passed on through one street.

            Behold the progress! See how Peter moved steadily toward his destination. Perceive how he got further and further from the place of bondage. That is a vivid depiction of the life of faith. It is a life of progress, growth, increased fellowship, ongoing change, and incremental conformity to the image of Christ. Stagnation, retrogression, reversion, backsliding, lapse, and static conditions have no part in the life that is in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, there is no humanly-conceived program that can arrest a stance that is diminishing in nature. That is a condition that can only be addressed to Deity. Real spiritual life is noted for its progression, and is therefore paralleled with walking – not in circles, as Israel did in the wilderness, but toward a destination.

➪     Walking “in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” (Rom 4:12).

➪     Walking “in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

➪     Walking “in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16,25).

➪     Walking in “good works,” that God has before ordained (Eph 2:10).

➪     Walking “in love” (Eph 5:2).

➪     Walking “in wisdom” (Col 4:5).

➪     Walking “in the light” (1 John 1:7).

➪     Walking “in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

            How reasonable would it have been for Peter to have remained in prison after the angel had appeared to him? What if he had settled for a new set of clothes, and a course in acceptable prison behavior? What if he has reconciled himself to being chained to the guards, and simply decided to make the best of the situation – doing so AFTER the angel had appeared to him and instructed him. Is there a person in all of the world who would have applauded Peter for such a response? It would have been wrong to teach Peter how to survive in prison!

            Yet we are living in a time referred as “the day of salvation” and “the acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2). A word has been sent from heaven that announces “deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind,” and the proclamation of liberty to “them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). Yet myriad professing Christians sit in prison as though nothing had really happened – just as though Jesus had really not accomplished anything. All kinds of programs are being marketed to the churches that teach them how to be acclimated to prison life, remaining the way they always were, yet developing some new habits that will help them think differently about themselves.

            After all is said and done, it is good to know that there are still deliverances initiated from heaven that are just as effective, and even more so, than the one of which we are reading. People can leave the place of moral and spiritual confinement, walk right past the very things that kept them there, and experience the yielding of the inferior power of the wicked one to the Captain of our salvation. Praise God for that!

   PETER COMES TO HIMSELF

            “ ¹¹ And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.”

            We will see now that a person will take the proper action only when they have properly assessed the situation. Flawed living is always the result of flawed thinking, an incorrect analysis, and improper assessments. This is why godly men prayed for understanding, not desiring to proceed with a faulty understanding.

PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF

            “And when Peter was come to himself . . .” Other versions read, “came to his senses,” ^BBE “recognized [where he was],” ^MRD “recovered his senses,” ^NAB and “finally realized what had happened.” ^LIVING

            It is interesting to ponder the very concept of a person coming to himself, or coming to one’s senses. This is the same kind of language Jesus employed in his parable of younger son who asked for “the portion of goods” that had been allotted to him. His father distributed the goods to both of his sons, and the younger one straightway squandered it all in “riotous living,” “loose living,” ^NASB or “prodigal living” ^NKJV (Lk 15:11-13). The English word “prodigal,” means “characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure.” ^{MERRIAM-WEBSTER} After the younger son had “spent all” – and only after he has spent all – “there arose a mighty famine in the land.” Jesus said the young man “joined himself to a citizen of that country,” and was sent “into the fields to feed the swine.” He became so hungry that he gladly would have eaten what he was giving to th e swine. It was at that point that Jesus said he “came to himself,” and begin thinking properly, in concert with reality (Lk 15:14-17).

            In the case of the prodigal, he was, in a manner, insane when he was wasting his substance on dissolute, degenerate, or profligate living. When he came to himself, he saw things as they really were. He had wasted his substance, was no longer worthy to be called his father’s son, and was worse off that his father’s servants.

            In Peter’s case, coming to himself was not recovery from moral insanity. He was still thinking in a theo-centric, or God-centered manner. However, he thought he was having a vision – perhaps one that would require some interpretation, like the one he had on the housetop some years earlier.

            But now Peter sees the ciurcumstance as it really it. With his mind he is able to properly assess what has happened, and to draw some valid conclusions. His proper reasoning will also enable him to know what to do.

I KNOW OF A SURETY

            “he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel . . . ” Other versions read, “I know for certain,” ^NKJV “I know for sure,” ^NASB “I know without a doubt,” ^NIV “I am sure,” NRSV “I know of a truth,” ^ASV “I am certain,” ^BBE “I know in very deed,” ^DOUAY “I know in reality,” ^MRD “It’s really true,” ^LIVING and “I know that the Lord really did send his angel to me.” ^IE

            This is the expression of “the full assurance of faith” (Heb 10:22), and “the full assurance of understanding” (Col 2:2). This is an example of “confidence” (1 John 2:28), and of“certainty” (Lk 1:4). This is the kind of knowledge that brings boldness and certitude.

            Peter now knew for certain that God Himself had determined his deliverance, and sent his angel to accomplish it. Also, like Jonathan, he knew that with the Lord “there is no restraint” (1 Sam 14:6).

            It is a sign of marked progress when the person who has been delivered can trace that deliverance back to God Himself.

FROM HEROD AND FROM THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS

            “ . . . and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” Other versions read, “rescued,” ^NASB “taken me out,” ^BBE “save me,” ^NJB and “released me.” ^MONTGOMERY

            With men, circumstance can seem like everything. In heaven, it is nothing more than an opportunity through which God can receive glory. The angel had no difficulty with the circumstance. It was no challenge to him, and therefore deliverance was instant, thorough, and to the praise of God.

            Now, being in his right mind, Peter gives the proper assessment of what he had just experienced. More was involved than simply getting out of prison.

Delivered Out of the Hand of Herod

            Herod had made a determination, and he was confident he could carry it out with no difficulty at all. After all, he was the king of the territory. Beside that, he had dispensed with James the apostle, and no doubt imagined that this was owing to his great power.

            Now, however, his council is reversed, and his judgment nullified. His intentions are dashed to the ground, and he is not able to do what he had determined. And the deliverance was thoroughly accomplished without a war or conflict of any kind – even without a word being spoken. No court convened on earth, and no lawyer mounted th rostrum to speak in the behalf of Peter. The prison was not stormed by a troop, and no trumpet of warning was sounded. Instead, light filled the prison, the soldiers were rendered helpless, and Peter walked out, a free man!

Delivered from the

Expectation of the Jews

            But Peter was also delivered from the expectation of the Jews – which was of the same order as that of Herod. They appeared to be looking forward to ridding themselves of Peter, who had been a thorn in their sides for around fifteen years. How expectantly they must have awaited the morning, when Peter would be brought before them, and they could publically condemn him like they did Jesus. However, their expectation was thrown down without any kind of initiative against it. A Solomon well said, “the expectation of the wicked shall perish” (Prov 10:26).

            Thus Peter sees the scope of his deliverance. He was not merely rescued from inconvenience and hardship, but from the determination of Herod to take his life. His deliverance was not only from restriction and isolation, but from the cruel intentions of the Jews. He saw this, and saw it clearly.

   PETER CONSIDERS WHAT HAS HAPPENED

            “ ^12a And when he had considered the thing. . .” Other versions read, “when he realized this,” ^NASB “When this dawned upon him,” ^NIV “when he became clear about this,” ^BBE “having become clearly conscious in himself,” ^DARBY “after a little thought,” ^LIVING “after thinking things over,” ^WEYMOUTH “ When he became conscious of his situation,” ^WILLIAMS and “When he, at a glance, became aware of this [comprehending all the elements of the case].” ^AMPLIFIED

            The word “considered” is translated from the Greek word sunidw,n.. The lexical meaning of the word is, “to see (have seen) in one's mind, with oneself . . . to understand, perceive, comprehend.” ^THAYER This has to do with understanding what had happened – that is, the fulness of his deliverance burst upon him. He was free!

            Once the reality of his deliverance registered upon his heart and mind, he proceeded to act upon it. That is, his actions were dictated by what he understood, or comprehended.

A PRINCIPLE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE

            Right here we have the fountainhead of both proper conduct and stability – considering what happened when deliverance occurred. There is such a thing as “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2). That is, there are certain traits that characterize life in Christ Jesus. This involves choosing a course of life that is conducive to the end for which God has called us. It is what we know about life in Christ Jesus that directs what we do (Rom 5:3; 6:6,9; 13:11; 2 Cor 1:7; 4:14; 5:6; 5:11; Gal 2:16; Eph 6:8-9; 2 Tim 2:23; Heb 10:34; James 1:2; 1 Pet 3:9; 5:9).

             Those who stumble, fail to grow, or fall away, do so because the life of faith has not made sense to them. The truth of what takes place in Christ Jesus has not registered on their minds. This is why the apostles, and Paul in particular, labored to bring believers to a proper understanding of what is realized in Christ Jesus. The truth of the matter is that until this happens, living godly and productive lives at an acceptable level, simply is not possible.

            The following expressions indicate the degree of dissatisfaction that was realized by godly teachers when the people remained in a state of ignorance.

➪     CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Cor 12:1).

➪     CONCERNING ISRAEL’S BLINDFNESS. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom 11:25).

➪     CONCERNING ISRAEL’S DELIVERANCE. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea” (1 Cor 10:1).

➪     CONCERNING THE COMING OF THE LORD. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thess 4:13).

➪     CONCERNING WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom 6:3).

➪     CONCERNING THE NATURE OF SIN. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Rom 6:16).

➪     CONCERNING THE DOMINION OF LAW. “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” (Rom 7:1).

➪     CONCERNING THE CHURCH. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16).

➪    CONCERNING THE PERVASIVE NATURE OF SIN. “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1 Cor 5:6).

➪     CONCERNING JUDGMENT. “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Cor 6:3).

➪     CONCERNING UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (1 Cor 6:9).

➪     CONCERNING OUR BODIES. “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid” (1 Cor 6:15).

➪     CONCERNING THE USE OF OUR BODIES.“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Cor 6:19-20).

➪     CONCERNING RUNNING THE RACE. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor 9:24).

➪     CONCERNING WHETHER OR NOT CHRIST IS IN US. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor 13:5).

➪     CONCERNING FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

A PARALLEL TO SPIRITUAL LIFE

            Peter coming to a juncture where he had a fuller understanding of what had happened to him, parallels life in Christ Jesus. In his first epistle, Peter referred to a point in time when we come to see more clearly what is declared in the Gospel.

            Having declared that we “have a more sure word of prophecy,” or “the prophetic word confirmed,” ^NKJV or fulfilled, we are reminded that we “do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Pet 1:19). That is, as we ponder the Gospel of Christ, musing upon it, and probing into it, there will come a time when the day will dawn, and we will commence walking in the light as He is in the light. There will be illumination within, so that it will be reasonable to live unto the Lord, and totally unreasonable not to do so.

            Those poor souls who never do see clearly will never be able to rise high enough to experience any degree of spiritual consistency. No one can “walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8) who remains ignorant of where the Lord has brought them, and how marvelously He has done so. One of the responsibilities of faithful ministers is to assist the people in obtaining clarity of vision.

   PETER HEADS FOR A PARTICULAR HOUSE

            “ ^12b . . . he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”

            Here we are also exposed to the manner of spiritual life. Having been freed, Peter immediately goes to the brethren. This is what he and John did when they were released by the Jewish council. They “came to their own company, and reported . . . ” (Acts 4:23). This is also what the disciples did following the ascension of Jesus, coming together to pray (Acts 1:12-13). Following the day of Pentecost, with three thousand being added to the church, the believers “were together” (Acts 2:44). Some time later, when Paul and Silas were released from the Philippian jail, they “entered into the house of Lydia,” saw the brethren, comforted them, and departed (Acts 16:40). This is the manner of spiritual life. When professed believers have no heart to meet together, a very major deficiency exists.

HE CAME TO THE HOUSE OF MARY

            “ . . . he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark . . .”

            This Mary was a sister to Barnabas. Paul refers to her in his letter to the Colossians, also saying that she was Mark’s mother. “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him) (Col 4:10). Here was a woman who offered her home as a place for believers to gather. We do not know much about her, but what we do know is very commendable, and sets forth an excellent example for us all.

            This is the John that Barnabas and Saul took on a missionary journey (Acts 12:25). He is also the one who left them, not going “to the work,” and causing a sharp contention between Barnabas and Saul (Acts 15:37-38). Notwithstanding that dark spot in his life, John Mark recovered from his bout with instability, and came to be a great help to Paul (2 Tim 4:11).

            In his First epistle, Peter refers to Mark (“Marcus”) as his “son,” indicating that he was converted under Peter’s ministry (1 Pet 5:13). Many are also of the opinion that Mark was the “young man” you followed Jesus when He was arrested in the garden, leaving his cloak in the hands of those who sought to apprehend him that night (Mk 14:51-52). He is also considered to be the one who wrote the Gospel of Mark at the dictation of Peter.

            Here is a woman that is known because of her son – something like Lois and Eunice, who became well known because of Timothy (2 Tim 1:5). It is good for children to determine to bring honor to their parents by engaging in the work of the Lord. Texts mentioning Mark include Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5,13; 15:39; Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Philemon 1:24.

MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER PRAYING

            “ . . . where many were gathered together praying.”

            The word “many” means a considerable number of people, without any specific number being given. Early in the book of Acts, we are told that the collective disciples continued steadfastly “in prayer” (Acts 2:42). On another occasion, when Peter and John had been threatened, the disciples came together to pray (Acts 4:23-24). In this, the accord and singleness of purpose is to be noted.

            We assume the brethren were praying for Peter, and that this is a further explanation of the previous statement, “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).

            Here we see how tightly knit the brethren were – coming together in a house for the purpose of prayer. There is also a resounding testimony of their absolute reliance upon the Lord. Here we see the body of Christ, knit together in love, and praying to their Lord. Their lives were being lived unto the Lord, and they resorted to Him in the time of need, knowing they were complete in Him, and that God was for them.

   RHODA RECOGNIZES PETER’S VOICE

            “ ¹³ And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. ¹⁴ And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.”

            It is still during the night, perhaps toward the close of the darkness, as the day was about to dawn. Peter has arrived at the home of Mary, apparently a familiar gathering point for the disciples. I cannot help but observe how the early disciples are described in Scripture. We are rarely exposed to their mundane activities, domestic circumstances, or other things pertaining to this life. It is characteristic of the Spirit to mention activities of life as they bore upon matters relating to the Lord and his purpose. Thus, the hospitality of both Abraham and Lot are detailed when it had something to do with what the Lord was doing (Gen 18:1-8; 19:1-11). The same may be said of the occasion when Isaac asked for some venison to be brought to him, which occasioned the incident in which Esau sold his birthright to Jacob (Gen 27:3-33). There is such a consistency in this manner of reporting the activities of the disciples that it is arresting. Duly noted, it will assist us in adopting a proper emphasis in our own lives.

AS PETER KNOCKED

            “And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate . . .” Other versions read, “the outer entrance,” ^NIV “the door of the gateway,” ^NASV “the outer gate,” ^RSV and “the door of entry.” ^DARBY This was not door of the house structure itself, but the one that led to the court around the house. The manner in which one gained access to a person’s house was much like that of the tabernacle. There was an outer court that was situated between the entrance to ones domain and the house occupied by them. The fact that the entry point was closed suggests that it was still night

            The word “knock” means to “knock with a heavy blow,” ^THAYER and “to knock on a door, as a means of signaling one's presence to those inside.” ^LOUW-NIDA The point is that Peter was at the residence belonging to someone else, and had to be given permission to enter. We assume the “door of the gate” was secured, prohibiting any unapproved entrance.

            Here we have an example of the involvements of seeking grace to help in the time of need – an activity Jesus described as knocking. As in the text before us, such a quest is guarantee an answer (Matt 7:7-8).

A DAMSEL NAMED RHODA

            “a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda . . .” Other versions read, “a girl,” ^NKJV “a servant-girl,” ^NASB “a maid,” ^NRSV “a young girl,” ^BBE “a servant,” ^CJB “a slave girl,” ^NET “a maidservant,” ^WEYMOUTH As used in the Old Covenant Scriptures, the word “damsel” means a young woman, or young girl (Gen 24:14; Deut 22:15;1 Kgs 1:3). In our text, the word “damsel” emphasizes that the young woman was a servant, for the word from which it is translated means “a maidservant, a young female slave.” ^THAYER

            Here is the only place in Scripture where this young woman is mentioned. Behold how alert she was, hearing Peter knocking, and coming to the door – even while the brethren were praying. There is an example of a good and faithful servant – alert, diligent, and instant to respond.

SHE KNEW PETER’S VOICE

             “ . . . And when she knew Peter's voice . . .” Other versions read, “recognized Peter’s voice.” ^NKJV

            Here was an attentive servant who had, through much exposure, come to recognize the voice of Peter the apostle. Our text does not say that she heard Peter identify himself, but that she recognized his voice, being fully able to confirm that it really was him. In this text, she was to Peter what John the Baptist was to Jesus. After identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus said of John, “To Him the porter openeth” (John 10:3). Jesus also likened Himself to master coming to His servants, declaring that they should watch for Him like diligent porters: “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch” (Mark 13:34).

            Rhoda was a faithful “porter,” acquainting herself with the voice of those who were welcomed to enter.

SHE OPENED NOT THE GATE FOR GLADNESS

            “. . . , she opened not the gate for gladness . . .” Other versions read, “because of her gladness,” ^NKJV “because of her joy,” ^NASB “she was overjoyed,” ^NIV and “in her joy.” ^NRSV

            Here is a case where joy interfered with sound judgment – just as it did with the disciples when they first saw the risen Lord: “while they believed not for joy” (Lk 24:41). Such a joy is very real, but it is not deep. It is only on the surface.

            Notwithstanding, there are some things of profit to be noted here. First, Rhoda was familiar enough with the situation to know that something of greatness had occurred. Though young, she was not uninformed. Although a servant, she had taken in what was going on around her. Rhoda knew about Peter and his incarceration – and she was a servant! She also was aware of the advantages that were available when Peter arrived.

            Although our society does not have servants like the people of our text, there are people about us who are privy to the way we live and the conversations we have. What do you suppose they conclude about us? What kind of knowledge are they appropriating while in our company?

SHE TOLD HOW PETER STOOD AT THE GATE

            “ . . . but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.”

            That is, she ran from the gate of the courtyard back to the house, giving her glad report that Peter was standing at the gate. Unlike the messenger Ahimaaz, Rhoda did know what to say. Ahimaaz ran to give a report to David concerning the uprising of his own son, Absalom. Absalom had been slain during that conflict, and David did not know it. When he asked this messenger if Absalom was “safe,” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was” (2 Sam 18:29). He did not know what to say. Rhoda did know what to say!

            One of the benefits of acquaintance with the people of God and the things of God is this: at the time of visitation, you will be more apt to recognize what is taking place, and to give an accurate report. Disinterest robs the soul of these benefits, contributing to ignorance and slowness of heart.

   THOSE WHO ARE PRAYING DO NOT BELIEVE HER

            “ ¹⁵ And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.”

            Surely the response of the disciples will be on e of gladness. After all, a faithful report has been given. However, this is not their initial reaction. This text has been the occasion for much criticism of the disciples involved. Throughout the years, I have heard men of note say the disciples had been praying for Peter’s release. Yet, when the answer to their prayer was given, they did not believe it. This observation is then ported over to our generation to justify the unbelief resident among many professed Christians who find it surprising when their prayers are answered.

            The flaw in this reasoning is that nothing in the text suggests the disciples were praying for Peter’s release, or that there was any compulsion to believe that he was going to be released. Unlike those of our country, they were acquainted with martyrdom. Early on Stephen had been stoned to death (Acts 7:59-60). Under the persecution of Saul of Tarsus, believers were “put to death” (Acts 26:10). Jesus had told His disciples that some of them would be pout to death (Luke 21:16). Jesus had personally told Peter of the manner in which he would glorify God in a martyrs death (John 21:19). On top of all of this, Herod has just “killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2).

            These brethren had a different view of life in Christ and testifying for Him. They did not think in terms of being popular with the people, accepted by those who were prominent in the world, and a life free from threat. They looked at death as a time of “gain” (Phil 1:21). They were well acquainted with the hostility of the world – particularly the religious world.

            I find it difficult to conceive of brethren like this praying fervently for the release of Peter, then being stunned when their prayer was answered. It seems to me that this is a reproach cast upon our early brethren by those who lack what they possessed. While I do not question that prayers had been made for Peter to be spared, it is my persuasion that this was not the subject of their prayers at the time of our text. The text strongly suggests that this was not the case.

THOU ART MAD

            “And they said unto her, Thou art mad.” Other versions read, “You are beside yourself,” ^NKJV “You are out of your mind,” ^NASB “You’re crazy,” ^CSB “Thou art delirious,” ^MRD and “Thou art insane.” ^WEB

            The word “mad” is said “of one who so speaks that he seems not to be in his right mind.” ^THAYER This is the word used when the people said Jesus had “a demon and is mad” (John 10:20). It is also used when Fetus said to Paul, “much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26:24). Paul also used this word when describing a stranger coming into the assembly and hearing them all speak in other languages: “will they not say that thou art made?” (1 Cor 14:23). This does not refer to the ranting of a deranged person, but of someone who is perceived as speaking in an irrational manner. Such a person is not removed as one who gone berserk, but is simply treated as someone who is not speaking rationally.

            The statement that Rhoda made was considered to be foolish and without foundation. It was perceived as unreasonable, and outside the boundary of rationality. Perhaps you have encountered people who felt that is the way you spoke when you delivered some word of truth that was precious to you.

SHE CONSTANTLY AFFIRMED

            “But she constantly affirmed that it was even so.” Other versions read, “kept insisting,” ^NKJV “confidently affirmed,” ^ASV “said with decision,” ^BBE “insisting that it was true,” ^CSB “maintained,” “affirmed it constantly,” ^GENEVA “maintained that it was a fact,” ^MRD “strenuously maintained,” ^WEYMOUTH and “confidently insisted.” ^MONTGOMERY

            Rhoda is not discouraged when her testimony is thrust aside as though it could not possibly be true. This, of course, is an aspect of knowing something is true: you cannot be dissuaded from it! This young lady not only kept affirming, or restating what she knew to be true, but did so with confidence. The words “constantly affirmed” are translated from the single Greek word dii?scuri,zeto. The lexical meaning of this word is, “to affirm stoutly, to assert confidently,” ^THAYER “insist, assert, firmly maintain,” ^FRIBERG “state something with firmness and certainty,” ^LOUW-NIDA and “to affirm confidently.” ^{LIDDELL-SCOTT}

            There was no doubt in Rhoda’s mind about Peter being at the door of the gate. She knew this was the case, and kept on stating the fact – affirming that what she knew for sure was the truth, for she was had recognized Peter’s voice.

            In my own view, this kind of testimony is sorely needed in our day. A lot of what is being said these days has an unsure sound to it. The tone of assurance is often absent, and confidence is not apparent. This is largely owing to the propensity of men to settle for, what might be called, second hand human knowledge.

            While there is measured value in benefitting from the valid knowledge of others, in matters pertaining to life and godliness, a more immediate knowledge is required. This is acquired when a person is able to recognize the truth, like Rhoda was able to recognize the voice of Peter. Jesus referred to this kin d of knowledge as His people knowing His voice (John 10:4,27). Those possessing such wonderful knowledge will not easily be turned from the way of truth, nor will their testimony be subdued without great difficulty.

IT IS HIS ANGEL

            “Then said they, It is his angel.” Other versions read, “It must be his angel,” ^NIV “Perhaps it is his ghost,” ^MRD “It is his messenger,” ^YLT “It must be his angel. [They must have killed him.],” ^LIVING “ and "It is his guardian angel." ^WEYMOUTH

            The word used here is not the word for spirit or ghost, but the word for messenger: “his angel” (~O a;ggelo,j). To my knowledge, there are very few exceptions to this word referring to the holy angels, who are “ministering spirits” (Heb 1:13-14). It is used in reference to the spies entertained by Rahab (James 25). The messengers of the seven churches of Asia are also referred to as “angels” (Rev 1:20; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14). There are also the “angels” who are aligned with the devil (Psa 78:49; Matt 25:41; 2 Cor 12:7; 2 Pet 2:4; Rev 12:7,9).

            The text strongly suggests that they thought this was a heavenly messenger who had been assigned to Peter – like the angel Michael was assigned to Israel (Dan 12:2). In a statement that has long intrigued thoughtful believers Jesus said, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Mat 18:10).

            Whatever vagueness may be associated with this text, We do know that an angel was sent to release Peter, so it should not be difficult to conceive of such a being as “his angel.” Of course, during the earlier days of the church, it appears believers found less difficulty in acknowledging the reality of the angelic hosts, and of their operations among the sons of men.

            Although we are given little information concerning this statement, it appears the disciples concluded that Peter had been killed like James, and his angel had come to inform them of the event, or the things related to it.

   PETER CONTINUES KNOCKING

            “ ¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. ^17a But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. . .”

            Here we have an excellent example of perseverance under seemingly discouraging circumstances. This is a very practical example of the spiritual posture that refuses to give up.

PETER CONTINUED KNOCKING

            “But Peter continued knocking.. .” Other versions read, “kept on knocking,” ^NIV “Peter, meanwhile, was still knocking,” ^NJB and “went on knocking,” ^WEYMOUTH

            What a marvelous example of persistence! Rhoda kept on affirming, and Peter kept on knocking. Rhoda saw the need for her word to be received, and Peter saw the need to bear witness of his deliverance.

            I suppose it would have been theoretically possible for Rhoda to stop affirming, and Peter to cease knocking. However, they did not, because of the realities they had embraced. Rhoda knew Peter was really at the door, and Peter knew he had really been delivered.

            It is good to take Peter’s conduct as a pattern, so to speak, for our own. When we are knocking at the gate of heaven, seeking for the Divine door to be opened, let us see to it that we “continue knocking” when there seems to be a delay. Jesus said if we knock, the door will be opened (Matt 7:7-8). In another saying that addressed the same matter, Jesus spoke “to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Lk 18:1). Again, Jesus said, “pray always” (Lk 21:36). Paul said the same thing when he wrote, “continuing instant in prayer” (Rom 12:12), “praying always with all prayer,” (Eph 6:17), and “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17). In other words, keep knocking!

THEY OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW HIM

            “ . . . and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”

            The persistence of Rhoda and Peter paid off, just as Jesus said it would. The door was finally opened because Rhoda kept insisting, and Peter kept knocking. If either one would have ceased their activity, the door would not have been opened. If Rhoda had kept on telling them that Peter was at the door, yet when they went to it, there was no knocking, her word would not have been believed. However, two constant efforts by two different people were worked together for good. God employed their efforts to change the minds of the doubters.

            When they saw Peter, they reacted differently than Rhoda when she heard his voice. She was glad, and they were astonished, or “amazed.” ^NASB That is, the deliverance of Peter had not been the resolution they had expected. Although I acknowledge it to be an opinion, I do heartily agree with John Gill who was also persuaded the brethren were praying that Peter “might be strengthened and made steadfast, and kept faithful to the last; and bear, by his sufferings and death, a glorious and honorable testimony for Christ.” That seems to me to be more in keeping with the manner in which those early brethren thought – more to the foundation of things rather than simply on the surface.

HOLD YOUR PEACE!

              “But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace . . .”

            Evidently the disciples started speaking – perhaps in expressions of joy as well as astonishment – but it was not the time for them to speak. This was the time for Peter to speak. It was not the time for those who were “astonished,” but for the one with understanding. This was the time to heed the admonition of James, which would be given many years later: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19).

            Therefore, Peter is now “motioning to them with his hand to keep quiet and listen.”^AMPLIFIED He will now explain to them why he is there, and how he came to realize freedom from the hand of Herod and the will of the people.

HE DECLARED UNTO THEM

            “ . . .declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison...” Other versions read, “described to them how,” ^NASB “gave them an account of how,” ^BBE “told them how,” ^CJB “related to them how,” ^DARBY “explained to them how,” ^NAB and “told them by what means.” ^PNT

            It requires understanding to explain HOW the deliverance of the Lord was wrought. Here Peter is not referring to the mere sequence of events, but to the obvious working of the Lord. His chains fell off, he walked past the first and second wards, the gate opened of its own accord – and all of this was according to the direction and authority of an angel sent from heaven. Peter did not develop an escape strategy. The brethren had not mounted a rescue plan, storming the prison and saving Peter. This was the Lord’s doing, and it was marvelous in the eyes of Peter and those who heard him (Psa 118:23). There is nothing about this deliverance that would lead anyone to question its Source.

            Do not forget that young John Mark was probably there. This might have been his first exposure to a report of this sort. If this is true, what a pleasant experience for a young man to have – to hear someone rehearse “the righteous acts of the Lord” (Judges5:11). You may remember that Peter also “rehearsed” to the brethren in Jerusalem what God had done at the house of Cornelius (Acts 11:4). Later in this book, Paul and Barnabas “rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27).

            It is good to walk in the light as He is in the light in order that He might work in us that which is well pleasing in His sight I1 John 1:L7; Heb 13:20-21). Then, it is good to do like Peter, and faithfully rehearse what He has done.

   SHOW THESE THINGS TO JAMES AND THE BRETHREN

            “ ^17b . . . And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

            Having delivered his report, Peter gives some instructions and moves on. He is a man in the center of the will of God, and is progressing in that will. Although imprisoned, and probably unrested, he is operating according to another agenda, and it is one that imparts strength and encouragement to those who operate within it.

SHOW THESE THINGS TO JAMES

            “And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren.” Other versions read, “tell these things,” ^NKJV “Report these things,” ^NASB “Tell . . . about this,” ^NIV “Tell this,” ^NRSV “Give the news,” ^BBE “Tell all this,” ^WEYMOUTH and “Report all this.” ^AMPLIFIED

            The Greek word that is translated “show,” or “tell,” ^NKJV is Vapaggei,late. This word means, “to bring tidings (from a person or thing), bring word, report,” ^THAYER “as carrying back word from a happening report,” ^FRIBERG “tell, inform; proclaim,” ^UBS and “to announce or inform, with possible focus upon the source of information.” ^LOUW-NIDA

            Now, there are several things to note in this word by Peter. First, what is shown told, or reported, is something factual – something that actually did take place. They were not to tell what they thought about Peter’s report, but to give the report itself – the facts in the case. Second, the idea of good news is inherent in the report they will give. Third, the report concerned what God had done, not merely what happened to Peter: “he declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of prison.” There is a difference in giving this kind of report. A carnal report of the deliverance could have been phrased something like this. “I finally managed to get to sleep, chained between two soldiers. I was most uncomfortable, and hoped the Lord would deliver me. Finally my time came, and the chains that were hurting my wrists finally fell off. It surely did feel good to be freed from those. I did manage to get past all of the guards. When I arrived at the gate, you will never believe what happened. There must have been a defect in the locking mechanism. At any rate, the gate swung open, and I got out of that doleful prison. I sure was lucky.” Does that sound foolish? I have heard many testimonies of improvement and advantage that sounded much like that! However, as used in our text, that is not a report, but an interpretation of what happened. To show something is to tell what actually happened. In this case, it was to associate the occurrence with the God who wrought it.

Tell It to James

            It should be apparent that this is not the apostle James, for he had been martyred. This is the “James” who became prominent in the early church, being one of its pillars (Gal 2:9). This is the James who declared the conversion of the Gentiles to be the fulfillment of prophecy. He gave council at that time, with which the “apostles and elders” agreed (Acts 15:13-22). This is also the James to whom Paul “declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry” (Acts 21:19). Paul further defined him as, “James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal 1:19; Matt 13:55), and states that Jesus made a special appearance to him after his resurrection (1 Cor 15:7). This James also sent people forth to adjudicate certain Kingdom matters (Gal 2:12). We understand him to be the author of the book of James, noted for his activity among the Jews (James 1:1).

            At this time, therefore, James had risen prominence within the church. This was not a self-imposed prominence, as was confirmed by Christ’s special appearance to him. Although, well into the time of Jesus’ ministry, he (along with his other brothers) did not believe on Jesus (John 7:5), he obtained like precious faith, and became a pillar in the house of God.

            Peter recognized this and gave word to report what the Lord had done to James. He would know what to do with the report. It is also probable that “the brethren” refers to the rest of the apostles primarily, and to those who were prominent among the saints.

HE WENT TO ANOTHER PLACE

            “And he departed, and went into another place.”

            Having reported what had happened, Peter now leaves. There is work to be done, and perhaps others to whom he desired to give this report. We so not know where he went, only that it was “another place.” You may rest assured it was not a place of mere leisure, or a place where he could take a rest or enjoy a sabbatical of some sort. Some feel that he went to another house where other saints may have been assembled together. Wherever he went, I am sure it was a place where kindred spirits could be found, and the work of the Lord could be reported and enjoyed.

   CONCLUSION

            Once again, the hand of God has been seen in the affairs of His people. When people are walking in the light as He is in the light, living by faith, and walking in the Spirit, the Lord works in them both to do and to will of His own good pleasure. Such people become involved in the outworking of the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Such people are the recipients of angelic ministry and deliverance, whether they are aware of it or not.

            Throughout this book, there is a total, and very apparent, absence of the wisdom and strategies of men. God works independently of such things, having declared the wisdom of this world to be “foolishness” with Him (1 Cor 3:19). Wherever the Scriptures record progress in the Lord, whether personal or collective, the Lord Himself is active in the matter. In fact, He is the preeminent One in all such things. If that one lesson can be learned, it will have a calculated impact upon everything the people of God set out to do.