Summary Acts 12:6-11:
Then, an angel of the Lord appeared to Peter the night before his execution and rescued him. Peter followed the angel’s instructions and the gates leading to the city opened for him, and he was free.
BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 8, Day 3: Acts 12:6-11
6) Part personal Question. My answer: Peter was sleeping when an angel of the Lord wok him up. The chains fell off Peter’s hands without waking the two soldiers who were sleeping next to him. The angel told Peter to put on his cloak and sandals and wrap his cloak around him and follow him. Peter did so. They passed guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It miraculously opened up, and Peter knew it was God who rescued him. I like the fact no one woke up, Peter was basically wearing an invisibility cloak.
7a) Personal Question. My answer: God has a purpose for all of us, and if we obey, He will rescue us and show us the way.
b) Personal Question. My answer: Speaking words of encouragement to others and thinking before I speak. Just to be kind and patient.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 8, Day 3: Acts 12:6-11
Good in-depth look at Peter’s escape according to God’s will. Do you ever wonder why Peter was rescued but not James? I wanted more information on this from the Bible. I’m assuming the Lord’s work for Peter was not done and James’ was. James’ death had a purpose as did Peter’s remaining life. Interesting to think on though, and so it is for us. God has a plan, and we don’t know it. Our job is just to obey.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 8, Day 3: Acts 12:6-11
Peter obeyed without really knowing what was happening. He knew enough to sense that God was doing something and the explanation would come later.
James was martyred (Acts 12:1-2) and Peter was rescued. The reasons God does such things, or does not do them, are often known only to Him. We do know that James, having gone to glory, did not consider himself a loser in any way.
Simply, it wasn’t time for Peter to go to his heavenly home yet. Until it was time, he was invulnerable. He couldn’t be harmed. It was James’ time, not Peter’s. That is all we can know.