Greater things than these
Nobody wants to be persecuted and mistreated. Peter suffered persecution that was similar to Jesus in uncanny detail. When we read that we as believers will do great things just like Jesus, we don’t want to think that these great deeds could be done under suffering and persecution like that which Jesus faced. But when we consider this, and see that God turns all evil around to fulfil His purposes, we can have great courage in completing the work God has created us for, even when times are tough and things are not going according to our plans.
Scripture
Acts 12:1-5 ESV About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. [2] He killed James the brother of John with the sword, [3] and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. [4] And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. [5] So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Bible Study Questions
Greater things than these
We’ve seen Peter heal the lame and raise the dead through faith in Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. This fulfils Jesus’ words that His believers will do the things He did and even more. It also shows the fulfilment of Jesus declaration that He would build His Church through Peter. Through Acts we see a single plan being worked through different people at different times. What does this tell us about who’s in control and who building the Church according to His plan?
Matthew 16:18 ESV And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
John 14:12-14 ESV “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. [13] Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
John 15:18-20 ESV “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Persecuted by Herod
One of the ways that we can see God’s hand working in Acts is the similarities between Peter’s ministry and that of Jesus. We also see this with Paul, but today’s Scripture focuses on Peter. Why do you think Herod laid violent hands on the Church in the same way as he tortured Jesus, and what does that tell us about the spiritual battle over the Church?
Acts 12:1 ESV About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.
Luke 23:11-12 ESV And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. [12] And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.
Lost a friend and fellow worker killed by Herod
Peter, like Jesus lost a friend and fellow worker in God’s service to the sword of Herod. Who did Herod also murder that was close to Jesus and prophet of the Lord God? Why did Herod kill John the baptist?
Acts 12:2 ESV He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
Matthew 14:3-5 ESV For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, [4] because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” [5] And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
Matthew 14:9-10 ESV And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. [10] He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,
Arrested at the Passover
Jesus is our perfect Passover sacrifice and the timing of His death was perfect according to Scripture. Peter was arrested at the Passover just like Jesus was. Was this a coincidence or does it show that even in persecution God is in control, even of the exact timing of events?
Acts 12:3 ESV and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
Mark 14:1 ESV It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,
Locked up and guarded by soldiers
Peter was arrested and locked up under the guard of soldiers so that he could be murdered after the Passover. Herod didn’t want this to happen during the Passover. Jesus was also arrested at this time of year, and His persecutors also tried to wait till after the Passover. Is this another coincidence or can we see a pattern where Peter’s life follows that of Jesus?
Acts 12:4 ESV And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
Mark 14:2 ESV for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”
Matthew 27:64-65 ESV Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” [65] Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”
Urgent prayer offered for Peter
Having seen all the similarities between Peter and Jesus’ ministries, we come now to a stark difference. When Peter is arrested, the Church prayed earnestly to God for him. Can you think of anywhere in the Bible where anyone prayed for Jesus after His arrest? In contrast all Jesus disciples fled and abandoned Him, while Peter was supported and embraced in the prayers of the Church. Who did the praying when Jesus was being persecuted?
Acts 12:5 ESV So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Matthew 26:55-56 ESV At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. [56] But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Luke 22:31-32 ESV “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 23:34 ESV And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Jesus is still praying for us
It wasn’t just that Jesus prayed for us all through His life and death, He continues to do so now. One of the most wonderful things about the Ascension of Jesus is the knowledge that He sits with God the Father in Glory, pleading our case even now. Jesus is still praying for every believer personally. Jesus turned His own persecution into victory, He did the same for Peter. What does that tell us about the hardships the Church goes through even now?
1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Hebrews 7:25 ESV Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Romans 8:34-37 ESV Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.