Acts 12:24 But the word of God spread and multiplied.
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“Peter Preaches in Prison”
King Herod Agrippa I persecuted the church, executing the apostle James (son of Zebedee) and imprisoning Peter, intending to bring him to trial after Passover. While Peter is heavily guarded in prison, the church prays fervently for him. That night, an angel appears, awakens Peter, releases his chains, and leads him past the guards and through the city gate, which opens miraculously. Peter, initially thinking it’s a vision, realizes his escape is real and goes to the house of Mary (John Mark’s mother), where believers are praying. They are astonished to see him, and he instructs them to tell James (Jesus’ brother) and others before leaving. Meanwhile, Herod, enraged by Peter’s escape, executes the guards and later travels to Caesarea. There, after being hailed as a god by the crowd following a speech, Herod is struck down by an angel of the Lord and dies, eaten by worms, for not giving glory to God. The chapter ends with the word of God continuing to spread, as Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem with John Mark.
Acts 12 illustrates God’s sovereign power over human opposition, delivering Peter from prison and judgment while striking down Herod for his pride, affirming that no force can thwart the spread of the gospel. The chapter highlights the efficacy of prayer, divine intervention, and the resilience of the early church, showing that God’s kingdom advances despite persecution and human arrogance.
