It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After 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. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The 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. 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. Then 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. Peter 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.
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3 Days
If you or someone you know is facing a prison sentence, you're not alone! You may be wondering what happens next. However, in the midst of the uncertainty, you can stake your life on God's Truth. This Bible plan provides much-needed encouragement and points you towards life-anchoring Truths that will strengthen you on this journey. Will you open your heart to receive this beam of hope today?
It's easy to be overwhelmed by evil in the world—wars, political violence, sickness, and personal conflicts remind us we are not in control. But there is a God who is. In Acts 12, everything seems to be going wrong for the church, until God demonstrates his power to save. Join Jack for three days in Acts 12, and remember we have a good King in heaven, we need a heavenly perspective, and God uses our prayers to change the world.
5 Days
What are the most important things Christians can do to help build the church, locally and globally? This plan focuses on personal characteristics and building blocks that yield a natural outpouring of commitment and consistency.
Sometimes it seems like God is failing. The same was true for those first disciples too. This 5-day plan will take you through a time when it looked like God’s kingdom promises just weren’t coming true, through the lens of Acts 12. It continues our journey through the book of Acts, the Bible’s gripping sequel of Jesus at work in the life of his followers as he expands his kingdom to the ends of the earth. It’s a journey on what it means to be a Christian. It’s a story in which you have a role to play.
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