On 11-1-15, Acts 12:1-11 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as God Rescues Peter or God Releases the Captive

God Rescues Peter 

or 

God Releases the Captive

Acts 12:1-11

November 1, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

I try not to talk about angels but this week I am going to make an exception.  Too many people make angels out to be more than they should.  Angels are in fact servants, servants of God.  

If you are one of these who puts angels a little higher than they should be put, than in the words of the angel from Revelation 22:9 “Don’t do that!”

Their power, their abilities are all given by God and just as easily can be taken away.

Oh, I understand the sight of one must be awesome as we usually see people fall to their knees upon seeing one if they don’t take on human form.

I understand the experience of hearing an angel, of experiencing their protection can make one want to glorify them but their job and ours is to glorify the Father.

How do you get back from being awestruck when the shackles fall off, when the guards don’t awaken and the gate opens in front of you magically?  By remembering it is all from and for God.

Normally I am not a big Peter fan, I’ll admit that with some guilt, but give him credit here.  Peter knew as we read in verses 11 and the not included 17 that it was the Lord who had released him.

No argument will convince me that angels are not actively among us doing everything imaginable and otherwise.  Sometimes we benefit through our prayers and the prayers of others or through God’s choice.  But always it is about God and His plan.

In today’s scripture we read that James the brother of John was martyred but we see Peter saved.  However one day Peter was killed, it is not in the scriptures but a part of what we accept through church history that he also was martyred.  On that day a legion of angels or one could have miraculously saved him again but it was not a part of what God had in mind.

I think it is okay to marvel at the things of power that angels demonstrate and to think of the ways that they do things in the realms we cannot see.  Just so long as we always give the glory and the praise and the honor to the Father.

For Discussion:

1. Discuss James being martyred in verse 2 but Peter spared.
2. Discuss the number of guards that Peter had watching him.
3. Discuss why Herod was going to give Peter a public trial.
4. Discuss the miracles.
5. Discuss how people are about angels.
6. Discuss angelic experiences.  

Upcoming Lessons

11-8-15     Saved by Grace or God Makes No Distinction     Acts 15:1-12

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved