An Angel Delivers Peter
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | May 19, 2024
Turn to Acts 12:1-11. This is our 15th message in the "Encounters with Angels" series. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this Lord’s Day, the great crowd here and online, and this special day honoring Kristen for 25 years of faithfulness post-baptism. Bless her and Deacon’s service. Guide our graduates to stay close to Jesus. Save the lost today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Acts 12 begins with Herod Agrippa I vexing the church, killing James with the sword, pleasing the Jews. Seeing this, he proceeded further to take Peter also, imprisoning him during Passover with four quaternions of soldiers—16 total, two chained to him, two at the door—planning to execute him post-Easter. But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. That night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, when the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison. The angel smote Peter on the side…saying, Arise up quickly, and his chains fell. Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals…cast thy garment about thee, and follow me, the angel instructed. Passing the wards, the iron gate…opened to them of his own accord. Peter, realizing it wasn’t a vision, said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me.
God Sends Deliverance Into Our Lives
This story illustrates God’s deliverance. Herod’s lineage was murderous—Herod the Great slew Bethlehem’s children, Antipas beheaded John, and Agrippa killed James, now targeting Peter. Yet, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, bringing supernatural light into that dark dungeon, smiting Peter awake, loosing his chains, and raising him up—escaping death the night before execution. This mirrors our lives. For the unsaved, per II Corinthians 4:3-6, Satan blinds minds, but the gospel’s light breaks through. The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus 2:11). For believers, like Micah 7:8—when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me—God delivers from trials. Five pictures emerge: light in darkness, a prod to the heart (Acts 2:37), a raising up (Ephesians 2:5-7), loosed chains (Romans 6:18), and escape from death’s penalty (Romans 6:23). Don’t refuse this deliverance—multitudes do, rejecting the tug of salvation.
God Delights in Us Using Our Human Abilities
Second, God delights in us using our abilities. The angel freed Peter but said, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals…cast thy garment about thee. Why not dress him? Peter could do it himself. God does what we can’t—saving souls, breaking chains—but expects us to do what we can. Some want a fairy godmother, not God, fixing everything. Yet, like parents smiling when kids tie their shoes, God delights in our obedience. He tugs our hearts but won’t force salvation or service—that’s our choice, bringing Him joy when we respond in love.
God Opens Doors for Us
Lastly, God opens doors as we need them. Peter reached the iron gate…which opened to them of his own accord, not before he got there. In Revelation 3:8, Jesus says, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. Paul noted in I Corinthians 16:9, a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. God’s timing is perfect—don’t pry doors open; He’ll provide opportunities for service when you’re ready. The devil will oppose, but God always delivers. Don’t refuse His leading—He knew you’d be here today, tugging at your heart to follow.
