1. I. Herod’s Tribulation

2. Herod Agrippa I Born in 10 BC Father Aristobulus was executed 7 BC by Herod Gr.; sent him and mother to Rome Grew up on close terms w. royal family Playboy, heavily in debt A.D.37, Caligula gave him tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanias and title of king Uncle Antipas (Mk.6) was banished A.D.39; Agrippa received his territory Claudius (AD 41) added Judea and Samaria

3. Herod’s background in Ac.12 He knew Jews hated his family, and did everything to win their affection In Rome, he lived as a Roman, in Jeru- salem, as a Jew  “Brother”

4. Religious harassment (1) Harm, mistreat (7:6, 19) Previous persecutions came from Jewish fanatics; now, civil authority

5. The climax of persecution Church (1) (Jn.16:1-2) James (2) (Mt.20:20-23) Peter (3) (Ac.5:17-21)

6. Evidence for truth of gospel. No one willingly dies for a lie Problem of pain and evil. Mk.5, 9, 14 Lord loved them; both would die We’re just passing through; our home is in heaven. Rejoice w. James Herod will not get the last word. Look at their legacies

7. I. Herod’s Tribulation II. Peter’s Trust

8. Was kept in prison (5) 6, Peter had no reason to believe he would be rescued (James was not) Self-confidence (Mt.26:31-35) Lord-confidence (Jn.21) Denied Jesus (Mt.26:69-75) Died for Jesus (2 Pt.1)

9. I. Herod’s Tribulation II. Peter’s Trust III. Peter’s Triumph

10. What saved Peter? 1. Brethren prayed, 5 (Lk.22:44); 12  His release? (13-15) 2. God intervened, 7-10 3. Peter obeyed, 8-11  God did what Peter could not do

11. Followed angel, 9Gate, 10 Garment, 8Chains, 7 Sandals, 8Angel, 7 Arose, 7Prayer, 5-6 PeterGod

12. I. Herod’s Tribulation II. Peter’s Trust III. Peter’s Triumph IV. Herod’s Termination

13. The best laid plans… 4, 5, 11  Herod: would die before Peter 18-19  Time to panic  Code of Justinian

14. F. C. Burkitt “Peter’s escape was contrived by human means…Some human sympa- thizer was at work, who had drugged the guards and bribed the turnkey.” Ac.16 Unbelief requires tons of faith

15. Herod’s choices 1. Peter was released by an act of God 2. Soldiers conspired to release him  Apostles had a Cause  Soldiers had no motive Herod murders 16 innocent men Verse 24

16. The terminator, terminated An unjust, dishonest murderer accepts praise of divine worship (21-22) 23, a god? Josephus  Ga.6:7; Rv.20:10 Mt.12:30