Day 321, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Acts 12
Launching Our Faith
When we are attacked or threatened by our enemies, what do we do? Retreat? Plan a defense? Seek retribution? Quit? We could do these things, or we could see this as an opportunity for God to launch our faith.
God’s actions launched the faith of the Christ-followers
The early church was thought to be a Jewish cult. Religious leaders were jealous and threatened by her growth, so they persecuted her. They claimed she was trying to change their beloved traditions and the Law of Moses.
Has anyone ever falsely accused us? Does God care? What will he do? Let’s look at what God does to launch the faith of the believers in the first church.
Saul becomes a Christian
Saul was a zealous Pharisee (a strict religious leader) who wanted to end this new Christian movement. However, on the way to Damascus with letters to arrest Christians, God blinded him with light. Saul was led by the hand into the city. When he was converted, God restored his sight. Saul then did a one-eighty and became an avid spokesman for the gospel he tried to snuff out (see November 14-15 Bible study).Perhaps God will do something similar in our situation—save the troublemakers! That is certainly more preferable to having them spend an eternity in hell.
Answers to the Prayers of the Persecuted Launch our Faith
After Saul, the church was under attack by King Herod Agrippa I, a ruler popular with the Jews because he was partly Jewish, being of Hasmonean descent.
Why did Herod attack the church? The reason is not apparent, but Herod may have felt this growing movement threatened his regime. Or perhaps, he just wanted to please the Jewish leaders and people who opposed it. In today’s Bible reading, King Herod kills James, John’s brother (not Jesus), and arrests and imprisons Peter (Acts 12:1-3).What is the early church’s response to Peter’s arrest? The church members could have negotiated Peter’s release and agreed to tone down their evangelistic efforts, but they didn’t. Instead, they fervently prayed for him. They experienced James’s recent death and didn’t want Peter killed, too, so they made their appeals to God.
Do we realize the value of fervent intercessory prayer? God wants our dependence to be on him—he wants us to look to him for deliverance. He wants to launch our faith.
Releasing Peter Launches their faith
The night before Peter’s trial, he is bound in chains and imprisoned, sleeping between two soldiers with two more soldiers at the cell entrance. Although four squads of four soldiers take turns guarding him (Acts 12:4), they do not see what happens next.Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up.
“Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so.
“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him (Acts 12:7-10, NIV).
After Peter is released from prison, he goes to the house where all the disciples pray for him, and he knocks. They are shocked to see him!
God often answers prayers in ways we don’t expect, but he does it for his glory. He wants to launch our faith in him.
Testimonies Launch our Faith
After he is admitted, Peter shares how the Lord delivered him. This encourages their hearts and emboldens them to give testimony to God’s saving grace. This is why Peter instructs them to share the story of his miraculous release with James, an early church leader and half-brother of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 12:20-23 records the strange incident of Herod’s death. Herod dies because he does not give God glory but takes it for himself. His death slows the persecution against the Christians and encourages them to testify of God’s sovereignty.
Reports can Launch our Faith
In the book of Acts, Luke provides periodic summary statements about the church’s progress: “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied” (Acts 12:24, NIV). This growth occurs despite persecution. Jesus said to Peter, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” ( In Matthew 16:18, NIV). No human being, king, or any other power will be able to stop the church when God wants it to grow. The Christian message is launched, and no one can stop it.
Lessons to Live By
- We may experience trouble or even persecution. Yet, God is still Sovereign, and he can deliver us. Knowing this launches our faith.
- Answers to prayer launch our faith.
- Testimonies and reports of what God is doing launch our faith.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the N.T. edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p.384.
Peter tells them that the Lord had delivered him (Acts 12:17), not the angel. Either Peter is giving God credit for the miracle, or perhaps the angel looked like Jesus.
Discussion
How did the Jewish believers in the early church respond when they were persecuted?
In what way can persecution launch our faith?
Focus Verse
Matthew 16:18b (NIV) Jesus says, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
Watch a video of today's Bible lesson. Start at 1:15:27 and end at 1:21:31
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Dear Father in Heaven, you are an awesome God. You care about us and what happens to us. You are our shield, our defense, and our help. Praise your Holy name! May testimonies and reports of what you are doing lead us to faith in Christ. May you come quickly; we know that all will be made right when you return to rule and reign. May your will be done in each of our lives. May we be strong and rely on you even in tough times. May this be our daily bread: Lord, give us courage and tenacity in doing your will. Forgive us for any lack of faith or drawing back. Help us to forgive others who seek us harm. Lead us away from quitting or acting in revenge. Help us trust in you. For the furtherance of your kingdom, power, and glory, I pray, amen.
Please send your comments to me, Rod
Looking Ahead: What can we learn about missions from the first missionaries? Find out in our Next Lesson, Taking the Gospel to the World.
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