## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 13

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Acts. Remember we are using the Scriptural outline for the book found in 1:8.

(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Tonight we continue studying the development of Christianity in Judea and Samaria.

I. Christianity in Jerusalem 1:1-8:3

A. The risen Lord 1:1-26 B. Pentecost 2:1-47 C. The Healing of a Lame Man 3:1-26 D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37 E. Purging the Church 5:1-42 F. Conflict within the Church 6:1-7 G. Stephen - The First Martyr 6:8 - 8:3

II. Christianity in Judea and Samaria 8:4- 12:25

A. Christians scattered and the ministry of Philip Acts 8:4-40 B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31 C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30

D. The Persecution of the Church at Jerusalem 12:1-24

1. The death of James (v 1-2)

a. "Now about that time..."

1) We see a contrast between the love of the church at Antioch and the hatred of the world for the believers in Jerusalem

2) This Herod was Agrippa I who was the grandson of Herod the Great who had ruled when Christ was born. Later Paul would have a trial before Agrippa II

3) Agrippa was very popular among the Jews and tended to cater to their desires; so it was politically expedient for him to arrest the Christians and executes the leaders

b. "The king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church"

1) Herod Agrippa I apparently had some sort of "hit list" of Christians

2) James the, brother of John, was executed by the sword

3) He was the first to suffer at the hands of Herod

2. The deliverance of Peter (v3-19)

a. When Herod saw how much it pleased the Jews that he had killed James, he decided to go after Peter v3-4

b. He took Peter and placed him in prison intending to bring him out for a public trial after the Passover celebration

1) NOTE: Easter - refers here to the Passover and the seven days of unleavened bread which followed

2) Peter was a likely candidate because he was a leader and he had been fraternizing with Gentiles

3) Herod made sure Peter was held secure by assigning four quaternions of soldiers to guard him - 16 soldiers

c. Note the contrast of v5

1) Peter was bound in prison

2) But prayers were released by the church without ceasing

d. Peter is set free by an angel v6-10

1) He was asleep between two soldiers and bound with two chains - Herod wanted to make sure Peter didn't escape!

2) An angel appeared to Peter telling him to get up and get dressed and to follow him out.

3) NOTE: This is the second time an Angel had helped Peter escape from prison; perhaps that is why he could sleep so well. cf. 5:17-20

4) Supernaturally God caused the chains to fall from his wrists, kept the guards asleep, and opened the iron gate

5) Peter thought he was dreaming until the angel had left him and he found himself out of prison

e. Peter goes to prayer meeting v11-17

1) When Peter realized he hadn't been dreaming he knew that God had delivered him from out of Herod's hands

2) He went to Mary's house to share what God had done for him

3) A young lady came to the gate but rushed away in excitement when she heard Peter's voice

4) The very ones who were praying for Peter could not believe it when God answered their prayers

5) After sharing with them the account of his escape Peter went elsewhere to stay

f. Herod discovers Peter's escape

1) The soldiers were unaware because God had caused them to sleep

2) Herod questioned them and then ordered their execution

3) Herod also went elsewhere to stay

3. The death of Herod v20-23

a. He was giving a speech when the crowd began to proclaim that he was a god and not just a man

b. Herod enjoyed their praise only briefly

c. God struck him down because he refused to give Him glory

d. The Word of God multiplied v24-25

Next Week: Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the World