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“King Herod stretched out his hand to harass the church, then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. So, when he had arrested Peter, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.” (Acts 12:1-4) While Peter was in prison, “…prayer for him was being made to God INTENSELY BY THE CHURCH.” (Acts 12:5)
“On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter Was Sleeping (Peter was about to be put to death and was asleep?) between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison…an angel of the Lord suddenly STOOD NEAR PETER, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And PETER’S CHAINS FELL OFF HIS HANDS. And the angel said to him, “Put on your belt and strap on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” (Acts 12:6-8) Peter was unbound and following this angel thinking he was dreaming, they passed some of the guards and came to the outer gate and it opened on it’s own. They went out along a street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was also called Mark, where MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER, PRAYING.” Peter knocked at the door; a slave woman named Rhoda came to answer. “When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in declaring that Peter was standing at the gate.” (Acts 12:16-17) No one would answer so, “Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, THEY SAW HIM AND WERE AMAZED. But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.” (Acts 12:13-14)
IT IS ALWAYS AMAZING WHEN GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS! TRY IT, YOU WILL SEE…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham