Sunday Morning Bible Study: Acts 12 — James Killed, Peter Imprisoned, and the Power of Prayer

An Angel rescues Peter from prison:source: https://www.captivefaith.org/prisoners-of-the-bible-era/peter/

📖 A Verse

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”— Acts 12:5*

• The Jewish Leaders hated the Lord Jesus Christ *(4BC-30AD) from His birth to death and beyond.

• In 30 AD they finally killed Him, but in 3 days He was back and returned to His Father.

• Now they hated His disciples and tried to murder them too.

But Jesus won. He always does. Look to Jesus for all your needs. He will come.

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💡 An Application for Peter

Persecution was rising again. King Herod Agrippa, (11BC-33AD) eager to please the Jewish leaders, had James the brother of John* (5-100) executed by the sword. Encouraged by public approval, he arrested Peter* (1BC-67AD), intending a public trial after the Passover.

An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES.

But while Peter lay chained between soldiers, the church was praying without ceasing.

In the dark of night, an angel of the Lord entered the cell, a light shone, and the angel struck Peter on the side saying, “Arise quickly.” His chains fell off. Guided past the guards and through an iron gate that opened by itself, Peter found himself free on the street of Jerusalem. At first, he thought it was a dream!

He went straight to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, (12-68) where many were still praying. The servant girl Rhoda recognized his voice but was so overjoyed she forgot to open the door—an almost humorous glimpse of faith and astonishment! When the believers finally saw Peter, they were amazed. He instructed them to tell James* (the Lord’s brother) (6-62 or 69) and the others, then quietly left the city.

Meanwhile, Herod’s pride reached its height. In Caesarea, he received the crowd’s flattery—“the voice of a god, and not of a man”—and did not give glory to God. He was struck down by an angel and died in disgrace. Yet through all this, “the word of God grew and multiplied.”

Acts 12 reminds us that earthly power can chain men, but it cannot bind the purposes of God. The prayers of believers move heaven. Kings come and go, but the Word of God endures and triumphs.

❓ A Puzzle

• Why do you think God allowed James to die but miraculously delivered Peter?

• What can we learn from the praying believers gathered at Mary’s house?

• How does this story show both the fragility of human pride and the certainty of God’s sovereignty?

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🙏 A Prayer

Almighty God,You are Lord over kings and captors, over life and death.Teach us to trust Your purpose even when we do not understand it.Give us faith like the praying church—faith that expects miracles, and patience that endures trials.May Your Word continue to grow and multiply through our lives, our witness, and our prayers.In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Remember, friends, Jesus loves you and sends His angels to guard and help you. He will not let you fal!

Be still, my doubt­ing soul, no long­er fear;

The an­gel of the Lord en­camp­eth near;

Trust now the liv­ing God; His pro­mise take;

He this as­sur­ance gives for Je­sus’ sake.

Refrain

Sing praise, sing praise,

For the an­gel of the Lord

Encampeth round about us,

And guards us with his sword;

Sing praise, sing praise,

For the an­gel of the Lord

Encampeth round about us,

And guards us with his sword.

His an­gel ev­er­more en­camp­eth near

To those who keep His word with ho­ly fear;

My eyes do not be­hold his wings of light,

But in my rest­ful soul I feel his might.

Refrain

I thank Thee, O my God, that while I live,

Thou dost in times of need de­liv’rance give;

So, when death’s hour draws nigh, I need not fear;

The an­gel of Thy love will still be near.

Refrain

Annie Hawks (1835–1918)