CHILDREN STS LESSON 47 VOLUME 4 PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON
Acts 12:1-25
After the event of the day of Pentecost, the Church began to grow and spread from one region to another. Expectedly, persecution arose from the Jewish religious and political leaders. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, He emphasised the fact that His friends would be persecuted. He went further to assure them of His presence with them.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Our Bible passage gives us a powerful presentation of the acts of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. It records three significant events that show that God is Omnipotent and He does things the way He desires. It shows His supremacy over authorities and powers in heaven and on earth. In Acts chapter seven (7), Stephen a committed friend of Jesus was stoned to death. He was the first martyr (a person unjustly killed because of his faith) of the Christian faith. After his death, the gospel continued to spread from Jerusalem to Samaria and other parts of the world through the remaining apostles.
Now in Acts chapter twelve (12), Herod the political leader in Israel was influenced by Satan to continue the persecution. He developed hatred for the friends of Jesus. In agreement with the Jewish leaders, he arrested Apostle James and they killed him with the sword. When he saw that what he did pleased the Jewish rulers, he proceeded to arrest apostle Peter the over-all leader of the church. Herod then kept Peter in prison, secured by a large number of soldiers. Then some spectacular things happened.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him … And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands” (Acts 12:5,7).
(a) The church took it upon herself to pray fervently for Peter.
(b) God answered their prayer through an angel that came from heaven to release Peter.
Prayer is the key to solving all problems of life whether persecution, trials, temptation, health problems, failure or confusion. You must be prayerful. Only then will God intervene and save you.
Jesus has assured us that when we suffer for His sake, He will not leave nor Forsake us. Are you going through any form of suffering, rejection, heaven, or denial of, right? Never stop following Christ, continue until you see Him in heaven.
- PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH AND ARREST OF PETER
Acts 12:1-6; Psalm 2:1; Matthew 10:17-20
Persecution is not strange to friends of Jesus. Our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ tells us that we shall be hated of all men for His name’s sake (Matthew 10:22). Jesus our perfect Example was hated without cause, rejected, crucified and put to death. The same cruelty was extended to His disciples after His ascension to heaven.
First, Stephen was stoned to death. The church continued to preach and many sinners were converted. The believers that scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. However, the persecution continued after a little rest, led by Saul, who later became a Christian. Now in chapter twelve of Acts, the persecution resumed with full force. James the brother of John and one of the first and closest disciple of Christ was arrested and killed by King Herod. This act made him to become bolder. He then went ahead to arrest Peter the rock upon which Christ said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Herod was ignorant of the fact that even the gate of hell can never prevail against the church. He ordered that Peter be kept in prison in the midst of many security personnel.
The lesson we should take note of here is the reality of persecution for all friends of Jesus. There are still imprisonment of Christians in some nations of the world. Some countries do not allow the freedom of association or preaching of the gospel. Anyone who preaches the true word of God would be arrested and made to suffer in many ways. This calls for concern and prayers for those facing persecution because of their faith.
Should believers stop preaching the gospel because of persecution? The answer is No. Jesus has given us assurance that He will always be with us in times of persecution. All we need do is to pray for grace to endure till the end. During the imprisonment, Peter slept soundly. He believed that Jesus was with him therefore he had nothing to fear. We need to trust in God in times of trials and commit our lives to His care instead of becoming worried and anxious.
- PRAYERS AND PETER’S DELIVERANCE THROUGH AN ANGEL
Acts 12:5-19; Isaiah 65:24; 43:2-4; Daniel 6:3-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is one of the most important duties of friends of Jesus. It is a great weapon to achieve victory in every area of our lives. This is why children should pay serious attention to their attitude towards prayer.
When James was arrested, there was no record to show that the church prayed, maybe that was why Herod succeeded in killing him. However, when Peter was arrested, the church took the matter to God in prayers. They did not just pray once, it was continuous. The children were also united with the church as they prayed. A girl named Rhoda was part of the prayer meeting. God answered their prayers by sending His angel to:
(a) Open the prison doors where Peter was kept. As you pray in times of crises, the Lord will send you help.
(b) Peter was taken out of prison and led to the city where he could find his way back to his brethren.
God is able to take you out of any bondage of the enemy. When you pray in the name of Jesus;
(a) You get spiritual strength
(b) Your prayers will be answered
(c) God will provide for you and your family
(d) He will send divine help to you in times of need.
Prayer is important, therefore you must make prayer a habit.
- PRIDE OF HEROD AND DIVINE JUDGMENT
Acts 12:20-25; Proverbs 16:18
The miraculous deliverance of Peter from Herod’s prison caused embarrassment first among the soldiers and then the rulers and King Herod. He failed to realise that the soldiers had no power to stop the angel of God. Herod was a wicked king and filled with pride. He had no regard for God and his fellow human beings.
One day, Herod showed his pride by making statements that made the people to exalt him above God. It was a direct confrontation to God. This attitude, coupled with his past wicked acts, brought swift judgment on him. The angel of God appeared, smote him and he was eaten up by worms. It was a shameful end of a wicked king. God is love but He is also a consuming fire. As much as He is gracious and merciful, so can He be terrible in judgment. The glory that we should give to God must not be given or shared with anyone. God resists the proud and will always bring the proud down. Do not be a proud or wicked child. You must not be in the company of children who bully or cause harm to other people.
Be a humble child, and always give glory to God for everything you have. If you are still a sinner, repent and accept Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord. As a friend of Jesus who may be passing through persecution, trust the Lord, be prayerful and endure till the end. The presence of Jesus will keep and preserve you.
QUESTIONS
- Who arrested Peter?
- Who were those that prayed for Peter?
- Who delivered Peter from prison?
- Mention three results that we receive when we pray.
- Why did judgment fall on King Herod?
- How can wicked children avoid God’s judgment?
MEMORY VERSE
“And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews” (Acts 12:11).
LESSON
Jesus is always with His friends.
THOUGHT
I will endure and serve God till the end.
ACTIVITY
The children are to be in two groups to discuss what they would do in times of persecution.
HOMEWORK
Children should write in their homework book the names of four children in the Bible who suffered for their faith.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
78 – FAITH OF OUR FATHERS
CHORUSES
(1) Jesus conquered the world.
(2) He sets me free with the Holy Ghost power.
(3) All power belong to Jesus.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Persecution
- Jewish
- Pride
- Conversion
- Deliverance
