Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 3

Church History: When he had arrested and, it is likely, examined him, he put him in prison, into the inner prison; some say, into the same prison into which he and the other apostles were cast some years before, and were rescued out of it by an angel. He was in the custody of four quaternions of soldiers, that is, to sixteen, who were to guard him, four at a time, that he should not make his escape, nor be rescued by his friends. Thus they thought they had him under control.
Herod's intention was, after Easter, to bring him to the people. He would make a spectacle of him. Probably he had put James to death privately, which the people had complained about, not because it was an unjust thing to put a man to death without giving him a public hearing, but because it deprived them of the satisfaction of seeing him executed; and therefore Herod, knowing their minds, planned to gratify them with the sight of Peter in bonds, of Peter upon the block, that they may feed their eyes with such a pleasing spectacle. He was very ambitious to please the people. He would do this after Easter, after the Passover. Herod would not condemn him till the Passover was over. He would entertain them with Peter's public trial and execution. The plot was laid, and both Herod and the people long to have the feast over, that they may gratify themselves with this barbarous entertainment.7 Peter therefore was kept in prison, till a fit time to offer him up as a sacrifice unto the people: so basely do wicked men stoop for their ends. The Christians prayed for Peter, without ceasing; continued, long prayers, without intermission; but also fervent and earnest prayers, with all the might of their souls; remembering the apostle now in bonds, as bound with him, (Hebrews 13:3).3
Time passed by in painful suspense until the Passover was gone by. He was securely kept, according to the most ingenious method of the Roman army. Besides the prison-doors, and the guards outside, his arms were pinioned by two chains, each to the arm of a soldier on the right and left, so that he could not move without disturbing one or both. If Herod was intent, in carrying out these precautions, by a desire to prevent a rescue, he ought to have known that Peter's brethren never fought with carnal weapons, even to save the life of a brother. Or if he feared a miraculous escape of his prisoner, and intended that the guards should kill him upon the first movement of that kind, he ought to have remembered that all the twelve had once walked out of a prison in that city without hindrance either from the iron doors or the armed soldiers (Acts 5:19). But wicked men are prone to forget the warnings of the past, and continue to repeat, in endless succession, the blunders of their
predecessors.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 2

Church History: The persecutions which we have hitherto noticed were conducted by religious partisans in Jerusalem, without any active assistance on the part of the civil authorities. We are now introduced to one in which the reigning prince is the leader, while the old enemies of the truth are working behind the curtain, if at all. This Herod was a grandson of that Herod by whom the
infants of Bethlehem were slaughtered (Matthew 2:16), and a nephew of "Herod the Tetrarch," by whom John the Baptist was beheaded, (Matthew 14:10). He grew up in Rome, where he wasted what fortune he had inherited in princely extravagance; but while doing so he acquired an intimacy with Caius Caesar, afterward the famous Caligula of history. When the latter ascended the throne, at the death of Tiberius, he elevated his friend Agrippa, as this Herod was most usually called, to a kingdom, which was subsequently enlarged by Claudius until it embraced all the territory ruled by his grandfather Herod the Great. He was now in the zenith of his power, and living in the utmost magnificence. Why he undertook this persecution it is difficult to tell, unless he was instigated to it by the old enemies of the Church. This appears most probable from Luke's statement, that he seized Peter because he saw that the death of James pleased the Jews.8
He imprisoned Peter, of whom he had heard the most, as making the greatest figure among the apostles and whom therefore he would be proud of the honor of removing. When he had beheaded James, he proceeded further to take Peter also. He did this because he saw it pleased the Jews. The Jews made themselves guilty of the blood of James by showing that they were well pleased with it afterwards, though they had not prodded Herod to do it. The time when Herod arrested Peter were the days of unleavened bread. It was at the feast of the Passover, when their celebrating the memorial of their typical deliverance should have led them to the acceptance of their spiritual deliverance; instead of this, they, under pretence of zeal for the law, were most violently fighting against it, and, in the days of unleavened bread, were most soured and embittered with the old leaven of malice and wickedness. At the Passover, when the Jews came from all parts to Jerusalem to keep the feast, they irritated one another against the Christians and Christianity, and were violent than at other times.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 1

Church History: 1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 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. 8Then 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. 9Peter 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. 10 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. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." 12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" 15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place. 18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

The historian does not follow Barnabas and Saul in their tour through the districts in Judea, but, leaving them for awhile, introduces a very interesting episode concerning events that were then transpiring in Jerusalem.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 3

Church History: Barnabas was sent to Antioch when news of these conversions reached Jerusalem. It seems, then, that the Church collectively had power to commission and send forth any of its own members, whom it saw God had qualified for a particular work. There must have been, even at that time, an acknowledged superiority of some members of the Church beyond others. The apostles held the first rank; the deacons (probably the same as those called prophets, as being next chosen) the second; and perhaps those called evangelists, simply preachers of the truth, the third rank. Those who knew most of God and sacred things, who were most zealous, most holy, and most useful, undoubtedly had the pre-eminence. Barnabas saw that these people were objects of the Divine approbation; that they were abundantly blessed and edified together as a Christian Church; and that they had received especial influences from God, by his indwelling Spirit, which were to them incentives to faith, hope, and love, and also principles of conduct.1
Barnabas having a great zeal and fervent desire that the gospel might be better explained, he went to Tarsus to seek out Saul, that they might join together in the work of Christ; and having found him, he brought him to Antioch: where, for a whole year, they instructed the church in that city, and taught many people.5
Several prophets made visits to Antioch during that year that Barnabas and Saul lived at Antioch. We are not told how many, nor is it certain whether these were any of those prophets that we afterwards find in the church at Antioch, (Acts 13:1). They came from Jerusalem, probably because they were not as highly regarded there as they had been; they felt their work was finished there and therefore thought it was time leave. Jerusalem had been infamous for killing the prophets and abusing them, and know they sought a safer haven. They came to Antioch, because they heard of the flourishing state of that church, and there they hoped they might be of some service.
A particular prediction of a famine approaching, delivered by one of these prophets, his name Agabus; we read of him again prophesying Paul's imprisonment, (Acts 21:10-11). Here he stood up, probably in one of their public assemblies, and prophesied about the famine.
When they were told of a famine at hand, they did not do as the Egyptians did They did not hoard up corn for themselves; but, as became Christians, laid by for charity to relieve others, which is the best preparative for our own sufferings and want.
They determined, that every man, according to his ability, should send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea. What may be said to be according to our ability we must judge for ourselves, but must be careful that we judge righteous judgment.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 2

Church History: The metropolis of the Cyrenaica was a country of Africa, bounded on the east by Marmarica, on the west by the Regio Syrtica, on the north by the Mediterranean, and on the south by the Sahara. Cyrene is now called Cairoan. This city, according to Eusebius, was built in the 37th Olympiad, about 630 years before Christ. In consequence of a revolt of its inhabitants, it was destroyed by the Romans; but they afterwards rebuilt it. It was for a long time subject to the Arabs, but is now in the hands of the Turks.
Paul spoke to the Grecians, ie: The Hellenists. Who these were, we have already seen in Acts 6:1-15 and Acts 9:29. They were Jews living in Greek cities and speaking the Greek language. It is believed that besides preaching the Gospel to the Hellenistic Jews, some of them preached it to heathen Greeks It is certain that the Hellenistic Jews had already received the Gospel. See Acts 6:1. And it is likely that these Cyprians and Cyrenians had heard of Peter's mission to Caesarea, and they followed his example by offering the Christian faith to the heathen. It is worthy of remark that the Jews generally called all nations of the world Greeks; as the Asiatics, to the present day, call all the nations of Europe Franks.1
A great number of those receiving the message believed that Jesus was the Christ; and that he had died for their offenses, and risen again for their justification. Because the apostles preached the truth, and the hand of God was with them, therefore, a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord, becoming his disciples, and taking him for their portion.
The original Church was in Jerusalem, the mother Church of Christianity; not the Church of Rome; there were Christian Churches founded in many places, which exist to the present day, before Rome heard the Gospel of the kingdom. A Christian Church means a company of believers in Christ Jesus, united for the purposes of Christian fellowship, and edification in righteousness.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 1

Church History: 19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The scene of the narrative is now about to change to another Roman province, and to the city of Antioch. Preparatory to this transition, the historian glances back over a period of several years, to the dispersion of the Jerusalem Church. He had made that event his point of departure in rehearsing the labors of Philip and the early history of Saul, and now, with a degree of system in his arrangement which should not be overlooked, he starts again at the same point to sweep over another part of the wide field before him. Those who were scattered abroad from the persecution which arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one but Jews. From this we learn that while Philip was preaching in Samaria, and Saul in Damascus and Arabia, others of the brethren were spreading the truth into Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria. Thus the knowledge of salvation was sounded out from Jerusalem simultaneously into all the surrounding provinces.

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11: 1 – 18 – Part 2

Church History: Word soon reached the church in Jerusalem, and surrounding areas; for Cesarea was not far from Jerusalem. Some reports were good, and some negative. So before Peter himself had returned to Jerusalem the apostles and the brethren there and in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God, that is, the gospel of Christ, which is not only a word of God, but the word of God; for it is the summary and center of all divine revelation. Not only the Jews who were dispersed into the Gentile countries, and the Gentiles who were proselyte to the Jewish religion, but also the Gentiles themselves, who until know, it had been thought unlawful to hold common conversation, were taken into church communion. They had received the word of God. That is, the word of God was preached to them, which was a greater honor put upon them than they expected. It was entertained and submitted to by them, which was a better work wrought upon them than they expected. It is likely they had gotten an idea, that if the gospel were preached to the Gentiles, it would have no purpose. The proofs of the gospel were mostly from the Old Testament, which the Gentiles did not receive: They didn’t seem inclined to accept religion, nor likely to understand the impressions of it; and therefore were surprised to hear that they had received the word of the Lord.
When Peter came to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision, those Jewish converts that still retained a veneration for circumcision, were contentious with him. They said it was a crime that he went in to men uncircumcised, and ate with them; and thereby they think he has stained, if not forfeited, the honor of his apostleship, and ought to come under the censure of the church: They did not look upon him as infallible, or as the supreme head of the church that they were accountable to, and he to no one.
Peter gave a full and fair account of the matter of fact which was sufficient, without any further argument or apology, both to justify him, and to satisfy them: He rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and laid it before them in order, and then could appeal to themselves whether he had done amiss; for it appeared all along God's own work, and not his. The account which Peter gave of the matter satisfied them, and all was well. Thus, when the two tribes and a half gave an account to Phinehas and the princes of Israel of the true intent and meaning of their building themselves an altar on the banks of Jordan, the controversy was dropped, and it pleased them that it was so.