Lessons From Acts – Lesson 18
Last week we stopped with Barnabas seeing the need and going all in with the will of God.
So Barnabas ignored reporting back to Jerusalem and instead went and found Paul and he jumped on board.
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
A couple of things here before we move on.
I have had it taught in Bible College. Twice. Once from West Coast and once from the school of Biblical and Theological Studies. And two more times from preachers. One was a week-long training on the church and once in a series from a Pastor. That is 4 times if you are counting and they all taught that the church in Jerusalem was the mother church from which all authority flows.
I am very familiar with the scriptures they use for it and I know the reasoning they use. And if you start with that idea and then take that idea and impose it on the scriptures and ignore some scriptures you can come up with that.
However, there are two problems with doing that. 1) you should never start with an idea and then go to the scriptures and impose your idea on it. Instead you need to start with the scriptures and then let them impose its truths on your thinking.
2) To get the Jerusalem is the mother church from which all authority flows you have to ignore a lot of scripture. Put your horse blinders on to those scriptures and only allow yourself to see what you want to see in this area.
Barnabas did not go and get authority from Jerusalem to go and get Paul. Paul and Barnabas did not go and get authority from Jerusalem to start work in Antioch. Jerusalem has many first chances to do this work and refused.
So the Bible clearly shows that God bypassed Jerusalem in this area completely. Jerusalem was not the mother church from which all authority flows. Authority comes from one source. And that is God. Antioch was also not an established church yet. There were only a good number of newly saved Gentiles there. So the only place that the authority came from was from God. And that is all you really need.
One of the problems that is often caused by the Jerusalem is the mother church teaching is that those that believe that must then make themselves to somehow be in that chain of authority from Jerusalem. If they don’t then they are invalid.
That can lead to the thinking that they are His church, and any other group not in their group is not in God’s authority. This can lead to the thinking that since we are the only ones in the will of God then He is pleased with us. And even further that they are completely correct and in His will in all things.
Never mind that they have serious issues with getting His word out or giving to the poor or doing good works or a dozen other things. So there are real practical implications involved here.
The Jerusalem church is the mother church from which all authority flows is not Biblical.
Act 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Another thing here is notice the huge change. These people went from worshiping false idols and horrible gods like Zeus to being so Christ Like that they were first called Christians in Antioch.
And notice what God here attaches to this process. And no it is not fellowship. It is not pot luck dinners or valentines banquets or youth desert auctions.
And this might surprise you but it is not light shows, or slick services where everything is timed and men have to walk in step with the offering plates.
It is not the type of music or the quality of the musicians. And it is not the slick 3 stories and a poem entertaining type of messages. It was not having people who could sing specials. What was it?
Vs 26 that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.
It was teaching that did it. Not preaching and altar calls. It was teaching. And notice it took a lot of teaching. A whole years’ worth.
One old time wise preacher once said you keep em how you got em.
If you get people because of entertainment, then you have to keep up the entertainment to keep them. Lighting effects and light hearted entertaining preaching will have to be continued if that is how you got em.
And those kind of systems do not do much to make people Christ like.
It is teaching and a lot of it. That is God’s way. That is the example we are given here. That is the main ingredient to make people grow.
The bible says desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby:
It is not the only ingredient for example you need open hearts to the teaching. But teaching the Word is a huge necessity.
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch and an example is given. They hear that the Jerusalem believers are going to need help. They respond with grace and mercy and love and help.
For this is what Jesus taught. This is how Jesus lived and how He died.
And this help was given every man according to his ability and free will.
Act 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Act 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
So make note of this. During the next event we are about to start looking at today, where are Barnabas and Paul.
They are in Jerusalem. Jump ahead to Acts 12:25. This is after the event we are going to look at.
Act 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
So they are going to be there and not leave until after this event is over. And between Acts 11:30 when they went to Jerusalem and Acts 12:25 when they leave there is zero mention or even hint of any meeting of Paul and Barnabas with the top Jerusalem leaders.
So Barnabas and Paul took the help given by Christians to Jerusalem and delivered it to the believers and when finished left and went back to Antioch. And only one man was moved enough to get involved and go help.
Notice how it is worded. It says they took with them John. It does not say that the leaders of Jerusalem sent John. It does not say they approved of it. It does not even say that the leaders noticed it. It appears that the ones who made the decision was Paul and Barnabas and John.
Let’s move on.
Jerusalem is under persecution and will not get active on the great commission so what do you expect to happen next?
Increased persecution.
This is another principal. God chastises to try to teach, and work with, and get His children on board with His will and they refuse. Because the goal is for your best and for God’s glory God often steps it up. Not to be mean, but is actually giving them another chance to wake up.
Now let’s look at this well known event.
Act 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
Act 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Up to this point the persecution was from fellow Jews who did not believe. Now persecution starts to come from the government as well.
And this is just out and out murder. Herod kills James the brother of John. This persecution has the authority of government behind it.
Act 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Side note. First you ate the Passover and then the next 7 days were the days of unleavened bread. Since he took Peter and then were the days of unleavened bread. That means that Passover is already over.
Act 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
After Easter. But Passover is already over. It is the days of unleavened bread. This is biblical proof that Easter is not Passover. Easter was a pagan holiday that wicked Herod and people like him followed.
Some years they fall on about the same date and some years Passover is up to several weeks before Easter. They are two different things that sometimes fall in the same week or even on the same day and so some people are confused on it. But there is zero doubt they are 2 different things.
Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Now here is another principal that can be hard to grasp for some. Remember the Letters Jesus wrote to the churches and how He would list some things He is pleased with but would say however, I have somewhat against thee.
Jesus can be pleased with a group of believers in one area or even several areas and at the same time He can be not happy with them in other areas.
A group of believers can be obedient and completely on board in serval areas and at the same time completely disobedient in another area.
God can be blessing you in the areas where you are doing good and at the same time be chastising you in another area where you are way off and out and out disobedient.
And that is what we see here. The believers in Jerusalem were not going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature.
And at the same time they are very involved in and obedient in the area of prayer.
Act 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And these prayers are going to get answered. Some people will take the fact that God is moving on their behalf in an area and they will take the blessing of an answer to prayer to mean that they are totally in the will of God in all areas.
They will use the proof of blessing to think they are 100 percent aligned with God and use that to sooth their conscience and ignore the areas where they are off.
These people are off on the great commission but since these prayers line up with the will of God He blesses and answers in an amazing way.
Act 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
Act 12:7 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.
Act 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
Act 12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
I can’t pass this. What was happening to Peter was real, but Peter thought he saw a vision. Peter has had a vision from God not too long before this. So he knows what it is like.
What does this tell us about real visions from God. They are so real to you that they feel totally real. Remember Ezekiel when he had that vision of going to Jerusalem. It was so real that he was interacting with it. He had to literally shovel dirt to uncover a door.
Some try to say that Peter was still almost sleeping and had not woken up yet. Maybe. But I think it is more likely that real visions from God are so powerful and real that what was happening could have seemed like a vision to Peter.
I mean what was happening seemed unbelievable. His chains just fell off. They did not have to be picked or sawed. Nothing. They just fell off.
Act 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
Act 12:11 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.
Once Peter is out he realizes this was not a vision. God was not showing him what was going to happen. It was happening.
Act 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Act 12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.
Act 12:14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Act 12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
Act 12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.
Why astonished? God answered their prayers before they had even finished praying them.
Act 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
Peter is smart here and shows great wisdom. Don’t take God’s action for granted. Do not be presumptuous. Don’t presume that this means that God has made you invincible.
Don’t push it. Don’t go up to Herod’s throne and be proud and brag about it. Be humble and wise. Let the other believers know so they can thank God and praise God for it.
And then get out of dodge.
Act 12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.
Act 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Peter went to Caesarea. That is a town that comes up more than once in the New Testament. Caesarea is a town on the coast southwest from Jerusalem. It would be a good place to go. Still in Judea but you could hop a boat real fast if you needed to.
And there are other believers there. For example Philip the evangelist is there.
So Herod killed James the brother of John and attempted to kill Peter. God is letting Herod increase the persecution. However, woe to Herod.
Jesus said.
Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat_18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
This was true with Pharaoh. This was true with Judas who betrayed Jesus. Jesus needed to go to the cross, the betrayal had its place to play to bring that about. The offence needed to come but woe to Judas.
He ended up trying to hang himself and somehow fell and burst open from the impact. And then ended up in hell.
Herod here was used to increase persecution and so that Peter could see God move on his behalf and so that church would be blessed with an answer to prayer. Just some encouragement from God. Showing that it is worth praying.
But woe unto Herod.
Act 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.
Act 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Act 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Act 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Act 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Act 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
There are a lot of principals involved in these few chapters of Acts that show how things work.
Things like faith and prayer and chastisement and how authority comes from God. From the free will of man to God using His power in the circumstances of life and in hearts of men and sometimes even using an angel to get His will done.
And the power of the teaching of the word to change people.
And this section ended with an example of the principal of woe coming to those who harm God’s children.