Acts (11)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24.27
Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 12 (Lesson 11) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 12.6-9.
Faith and obedience are all about next steps. When God shows you the next steps, take them. He’ll show you the next steps next.

For reflection
1.  This story is so rich in meaning! Again we note Herod’s precautions: Two soldiers, one on either side to guard Peter; two chains to hold him in place; sentries at the door; four squads of soldiers positioned in various places around. Herod is going to make doggone sure that Peter doesn’t get out. Perhaps he should have thought about how to keep God from getting in? What obstacles (“chains”) are currently trying to keep you from being an effective witness for Christ? Does the Lord see your predicament?

2.  Suddenly, here’s an angel! Where’d he come from? Right there. In the unseen realm. All around us all the time. He just stepped through the veil at the Lord’s command and filled the cell with light. He came to deliver Peter. Why? For the progress of the Kingdom, of course. Do you believe God is watching over you with angels? To what end?

3.  But the angel is not going to do all the work. Peter has to take responsibility for his part in this little drama. Next steps, next steps: Get up, get dressed, get moving! At each step, as Peter obeys, weird, unlikely stuff begins to happen. Chains fall off. Guards apparently don’t realize what’s going on, even though the angel had “turned on the light” for them. Peter follows an angel toward the door of the prison? Does this make sense? Not to Peter. Not rationally. Not if we’re only going to think in terms of time and matter and our own abilities. Does it make sense that you could be a consistent and effective witness for Christ, even in spite of the obstacles you face? Explain.

4.  If we’re responding to the commands of God, every next step, within the framework of the ongoing work of Christ, then we should expect strange, weird, wondrous things to happen, and just take care of whatever next step is required of us as the Lord commands. How do you try to discern the Lord’s next steps for your work in the ongoing work of Christ?

5.  OK, now don’t miss this: Christ is seated in glory, continuing His work of overthrowing the kingdom of darkness and the Lie, replacing it with His own Kingdom. He commands us to make all the nations disciples. And He commands angels to bring Kingdom power to bear on our behalf (cf. Rev. 14.6, 7). “King” Herod gave it his best shot to do his “kingdom” thing to Peter. But the eternal King and His Kingdom are not subject to the whims and wiles of foolish men. Neither are His subjects: Get up! Get dressed! Get moving! What “next steps” is the Lord calling you to take for the progress of His Kingdom today?

Summary
We must always remember that the ongoing work of Christ is just that – His! He has resources and ways that are beyond knowing, and we don’t need to know them. All we need to know is the next step He’s directing us to at any moment. How can Christians help one another to live more consistently like this, walking by faith and not by sight, walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh?

Closing Prayer
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Psalm 91.9-16

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. This is the work of bringing the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. Read more about the implications of this work in our new book, The Kingdom Turn (click here).

Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Or, you can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal.