King Herod made it his business to persecute Christians. He killed James, the brother of John, by Roman execution. Seeing that this pleased the Jews, he determined to kill Peter.

When Herod was able to capture Peter, he put him in prison in the custody of sixteen soldiers. Since it was during the time the Jews celebrated the days of unleavened bread, Herod determined that he would wait until after the Passover feast to take Peter before the people for trial and sentencing.

One night while Peter was in prison awaiting his certain fate of death, an angel came to him. The angel struck him in the side and woke him. The angel told him to get up, put on his clothes and shoes, and follow him.

They passed all of the guards that Herod had put in place to guard Peter; and when they came to the iron gate that led into the city, the gate opened by itself. Once Peter was into the city, the angel left him.

While Peter was in prison, there was something going on in the city. A group of Christians were gathered in the house of John Mark’s mother, Mary, praying for Peter. They knew that after the death of James, Peter would likely be the next in line for execution.

Peter made his way to Mary’s house and knocked on the door. A young girl named Rhoda came to the door. When she heard Peter speak to her, she knew immediately who it was. She became so excited that instead of opening the door and allowing Peter to enter, she ran back into the house to tell everyone that Peter was at the door.

Poor Peter was still knocking on the door, hoping that someone would let him in before the soldiers came looking for him. They must have all rushed to the door; but when they opened the door, they were surprised to see that it was indeed Peter.

Peter told them how the angel had come and freed him, and the scripture says he then left them and went to another place.

Herod, of course, discovered that Peter had escaped. He questioned his soldiers and then had them all put to death for losing their prisoner.

So, what do we learn from this story in Acts 12? I think there are some very valuable lessons from Herod, Peter, Rhoda, and the Christians praying in the house of Mary.

From Herod we learn that even though he was powerful and influential, God was still in control. Herod might throw a servant of God into prison, but God had the power to save him.

It is interesting to note that just after this story, Herod gave a speech. The people called him a god, and Herod accepted the praise. He was immediately stricken by an angel and was “eaten of worms.” This was the fate of a man that thought of himself as a god. Once again, God’s power was greater!

From Peter we learn that living a Christian life will not always be easy. There will be trials and tribulations; but through faith in God and obedience to Him, we will have eternal life with Him.

Peter would be persecuted over and over again, but he never lost his faith in God or his promise of eternal life.

From Rhoda we learn that we shouldn’t leave someone waiting. How many times do we have opportunities to serve or to teach, and we run away to do something else? Fortunately, Peter was still there when Rhoda and the others returned; but what would have happened if the soldiers had come for Peter while she was gone? What if we miss an opportunity and never have that same opportunity again? We should not be guilty of putting off doing good for others or teaching them the gospel when we have the opportunity.

I think our most valuable lesson comes from the Christians that were praying. Verse 5 says, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” (KJV).

The prayers were for Peter; yet when Peter appeared at the door, everyone seemed surprised. They even said that it must be his angel (verse 15). They were praying for his life, yet when God spared his life, the Christians were surprised

We need to pray with confidence that God will hear our prayers. We may not always get the answer we want, but we know that God will answer our prayers according to His will.

As Christians today, we need to “break out” of our bondage to sin and become true servants of God. Sometimes the prisons we face today are of our own making. They are, simply put, prisons of sin.

Remember Peter’s words in II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Sandra Oliver