29. “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea.”
The first Gentile assembly endeavors “to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:33Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)). The believers at Antioch received a message from the Lord through His servant (Agabus; vs. 28). They act in the Spirit and on the principle of the one body by sending financial aid to their brethren in Jerusalem.
30. “Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
All was done “decently and in order.” The elders in Jerusalem, bearing local administrative responsibility, had charge of distributing the funds. Great care must be used in the handling and distribution of funds among brethren. How important that those who carry moral weight (see 1 Tim. 3:813) faithfully fulfill this service. “Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed” (2 Cor. 6:33Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (2 Corinthians 6:3)).
Chapter 12
13. “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)”
Satan had tried in various ways to destroy the early assembly (see Acts 4:14; 5:1-11; 6:17; 8:314And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. (Acts 4:14)
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. (Acts 5:1‑11)
3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3) as examples). He now turns his fury on two specially prominent servants—James and Peter. The Lord, in perfect wisdom, allows James, like Stephen, to receive the martyr’s crown. Herod plans the same fate for Peter. Do we earnestly, continually pray for those who have been placed by God in prominent positions in the assembly? How needful to do this, for they are special targets of attack by the enemy.
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 [passover—JND translation] to bring him forth to the people.”
Do we know of a believer—a brother or sister in Christ—under special attack of the enemy? Perhaps circumstances or discouragements have morally placed that one—beloved and redeemed of the Lord—in prison—their having lost that wonderful liberty in Christ (Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)) to serve Him. The enemy will use his four quaternions of soldiers to keep such a one in bondage. Faith, however, counts on God’s deliverance, for with Him nothing is impossible.
5. “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
Peter could do nothing about his circumstances. But there was one thing that the assembly could do—engage in instant and earnest prayer. As another has said, “Prayer is a mighty engine.” Oh! the infinite, divine power that is put in motion through effectual, fervent prayer. Let us avail ourselves, individually and collectively, of this divine force. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:1717Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)).
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.”
Peter is at rest—he has no fear of death, for to him to depart and be with Christ was far better. Only faith can give such peace (Isa. 26:33Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3)).
But let us learn from moral warnings found here. There are four conditions which kept this dear servant from carrying out his ministry—the same which may keep any believer from serving Him. (1) He was asleep, (2) soldiers (a picture of the world’s power) were guarding him, (3) he was bound with chains (a picture of the results of disobedience in a believer’s life) and (4) keepers (picturing Satan seeking to deny a believer the joy of his Christian liberty) were guarding the door of the prison.
Of course, there is no hint here of personal failure in dear Peter. But the moral principles contained in this passage are often found when a believer has wandered from the Lord. Peter was beyond human help—but not beyond the power of prayer. Let us never cease to earnestly cry to our God on behalf of those who have strayed away from the Lord.
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.”
Light marks the beginning of restoration. It was so in Genesis 1:22And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) when “darkness was upon the face of the deep.” At times we may feel that smiting is necessary to restore an erring one. Let’s leave that to the Lord! Our part is to pray for, not to smite, a wayward saint.
The sleeping prisoner, now aroused and having light, finds that the chains once binding him are no longer holding him captive. What liberty repentance and restoration bring to the child of God!
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.”
The Lord takes away the prison garment and restores the garment that had been lost. His instructions to Peter are to gird himself and follow. This is the only safe path for believers—characterized by obedience and submission, our sandals bound on that we no longer stumble in the path of faith.
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.”
What little value our thoughts have in the Lord’s gracious and faithful dealings with His own. Let us trust His ways of wisdom, not our thoughts.
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.”
Only one way (one street) back to fellowship with the Lord for the prisoner—that is repentance. When it is real, Satan’s iron gate cannot keep a restored child from the happy liberty that is his in Christ.
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.”
Peter, finished thinking and fully awake, now knows the reality of what the Lord has done for him. He knows that God has delivered him from the enemy. What a joy to say with the psalmist, “This I know; for God is for me” (Psa. 56:99When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. (Psalm 56:9)), and with the Apostle, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:3131What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)). No matter what the failure, a child of God can, with confidence, always say the same.
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.”
Peter, having been set at liberty, goes to his own company—a dependent, praying company. This is always the fruit of true restoration in a soul. There will be a desire to be found in fellowship with those of “like precious faith”—those very brethren who have earnestly prayed (and continue to do so) for the wanderer.
Ed.