13. “And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.”
Rhoda lovingly and faithfully fulfilled a service that the rest might continue in prayer. Are we fulfilling faithfully what the Lord has called us to do, no matter how insignificant it might seem?
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.”
We see more lovely qualities in dear Rhoda. She knew Peter’s voice—had evidently listened to his ministry and was familiar with the beloved Apostle.
His voice made her glad, for she had learned to love and appreciate this dear servant of Christ.
She ran to tell the others—carrying out her service heartily as unto the Lord.
She maintained proper submission, not taking it upon herself to open the door, but simply to notify others, leaving that decision to them.
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.”
Rhoda’s spirit is as lovely as her energy of service! When rebuked and ridiculed for telling what she knew to be the truth, she does not become discouraged or angry. She continues speaking the truth in love and the result is that they begin to heed her words.
16. “But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.”
Had the unopened door discouraged Peter so that he went away, the unbelief of those who refused Rhoda’s testimony would have been confirmed. So, too, Christians need never fear the results of proclaiming and defending the truth of God.
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 show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”
Earlier (vs. 5) the whole assembly had been engaged in earnest prayer for Peter. Here we find that some (James and the brethren) were not present. Yet, individuals still, out of love for Peter and faith in the Lord, continued a household prayer meeting. And it is to them that the joy of seeing Peter restored to liberty is granted. Oh! may we know more of earnest, fervent prayer—individually and collectively!
18-19. “Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 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 Judea to Cæsarea, and there abode.”
It is the heartless and wicked ruler Herod who is in authority over the Jews—whom the Jews received in place of the Messiah whom they crucified. What awful consequences result when man rejects God’s best!
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.”
Fearing the angry despot Herod (with good reason!), those of Tyre and Sidon seek friendship with his closest advisor, Blastus. Their country was nourished by the king’s country. But they feared and were concerned about the wrong king!
How is it with us? We who have been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ are eternally blessed. Too often, in principle, we too behave out of fear of the world, seeking to order our lives to gain its approval, rather than to trust our loving God.
21-22. “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.”
We see the sad result of the fear of man. To these frightened people it brought the snare of idolatry.
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.”
Though it may not always happen so strikingly, God always vindicates His glory and the glory of His well-beloved Son. At the same time, He nullifies man’s haughty pride, using the lowliest of means.
Immediately smitten by God, the oppressor feared by man (but not feared by worms) dies.
24. “But the word of God grew and multiplied.”
While the enemy wasted away in death, the Word that he had tried to stamp out abounded in growth.
25. “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
This verse represents a very important point in the history of the church (assembly) in Acts. Save for one further time in Acts 15, Peter is not again mentioned. The early Jewish character of the assembly in Jerusalem is slowly fading, while its proper Gentile character takes the prominent place.
We will now begin to see, almost exclusively, the work, not of Peter or the other apostles at Jerusalem, but rather the labors of the Apostle Paul as recorded by the Spirit. And, too, we will notice that the Gentile assembly at Antioch becomes much more prominent as the place from which the blessing of the gospel of God’s grace flows out to the Jew and the Gentile.
Chapter 13
1. “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”
Two spiritual gifts are specifically connected with this first Gentile assembly—prophets and teachers. It is instructive to see their order—prophets first, then teachers. The prophet brings the mind of God to the people of God, applying the truth of God to their special conditions and circumstances. While being taught is important (2 Tim. 2:1212If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12)), having the mind of God for each circumstance of life is vital.
Oh! the blessing that comes from those who have an “understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chron. 12:3232And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. (1 Chronicles 12:32))—who, in communion with God, are able to reveal His mind for the present circumstances through which the assembly collectively and the believer individually pass.
Ed.