“Peter Is Supernaturally Rescued” — Acts 12:6-19

“Peter is Supernaturally Rescued”

Sunday, June 21, 2020 — Rev. Douglas J. Kortyna, Pastor

Sermon Text: Acts 12:6-19

Worship Theme: “Peter is delivered from prison by the divine disruption of the Lord.”

Opening

Last week, we left off with Peter being in a bad predicament because he was imprisoned for his preaching. I argued that he believes he will die in prison and is awaiting his execution. What is the church’s response? Prayer! They know that the only way Peter can be saved is through supernatural intervention. We have been labeling this “divine disruption” throughout our series in Acts. This morning’s divine disruption is through the agency of an angel. One interesting pattern of speech when you compare Jonah (a Book we worked through in the past) and Acts is their similarities. When the Lord speaks in Jonah, it is a command and Jonah either responds in obedience or disobedience. When we get to Acts, the angels—the name literally means “messenger”—stand in for the action and speech of the Lord. They are intermediaries. When they speak, we need to realize that it is God who speaks. Notice how the angels issue commands (imperatives) throughout Acts. This is the same pattern with the Lord’s speech in Jonah. It’s very interesting that just paying attention to the language can make a big difference! This morning’s text is “angel and supernatural heavy.” We do not want to shy away from this language and deny its importance in the Christian life. However, we need to stay clear away from unbiblical thought patterns of who and what angels are. Two examples that I would argue are common, which are shrouded in sentimentality, are that every person has a guardian angel and that we become angels when we die. These popular ideas are not found in Scripture and can demonstrate that our imaginations are often shaped more from popular culture than we realize. Scripture must be the guide and it must correct our assumptions about the unseen realm. In particular, I remember a vivid experience watching Looney Tunes as a small child, perhaps Zoe’s age. The cartoon portrayed a good angel on one shoulder and a bad angel on the other. I believed this was what the Bible taught until I actually read the Bible. Furthermore, we do not become angels when we die, because angels and humans are different beings. Angels do not have bodies and humans do. Angels are not redeemed nor will angels who have fallen (demons) be redeemed. Humans can be redeemed through the cross of Christ. And, those who trust in Christ will ultimately be delivered from sin and death. Unbiblical thinking about the

- 1 - unseen realm is confirmed in the research polling from Barna.1 Let’s keep all of this in mind as we turn to Acts 12:6 this morning.

SECTION I: Acts 12:6-11

12:6-11 – 6 Now when Herod (If he kills the leaders the movement will perish; naturalistic understanding.) was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding (Imperfect tense; no chance of being released; will be executed) the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord (Angels do the Lord’s work; intermediaries) stood next to him, and a light shone (emphasizes supernaturalism) in the cell. He struck (Angels use military like language) Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up (Imperfect tense) quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself (Imperfect tense) and put (Imperfect tense) on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap (Imperfect tense) your cloak around you and follow (Imperfect tense) me.” 9 And he went out and followed him (Responds to commands with obedience). He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. (Visions are common in the Old Testament.)10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. (Apparently did his job.) 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” (Delivered from prison like the Exodus!)

Section II: Acts 12:12-17

12:12-17 – 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark (Introduction of this character) where many were gathered together and were praying. (Remember, prayer is what drives the release!) 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. (Remember households make up church membership.) 14 Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. (Comic relief) 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” (They thought he was most likely dead.) But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (It’s as if God actually answers prayers!) 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. (Shares testimony of deliverance.) And he said, “Tell these things to James (Jesus’ brother) and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. (James becomes “The Guy” in Jerusalem and Peter’s role changes to missionary; Jerusalem and Antioch are intertwined.)

1 See: https://www.barna.com/research/most-american-christians-do-not-believe-that-satan-or-the-holy-spirit-exist/

- 2 - SECTION III: Acts 12:18-19

12:18-19 – 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. (Luke thinks this deep sleep was supernaturally caused!) 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. (If a prisoner escapes, the guards die. Common in the First century.) Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there. (Transition verse that builds towards next week.)

Fallen Condition Focus

This morning, I want to bring to our attention that angels are real (non-corporeal beings!), that they did work for the Lord in the First century, and that they continue to do so now. We need to stay clear away from naturalistic readings of the Bible. They are not helpful and can damage our perception of the world that God created. Unhelpful thought patterns and perceptions can beget sinful thought patterns that give rise to sinful behavior. I’ll give one example this morning. Martin Hegel, who was a giant in the field of New Testament studies in the last generation, argued that there was no angel, and that this was an “insider job” where an early Christian broke Peter out of prison.2 Now, we might not outright say this as individuals. But, I wonder if you have heard any sermons in the past where the language of angels was downplayed or demythologized. We can err on the side of giving explanations in a “this-worldly” fashion. Just listen to the “life changing” stories of the average Christians. They are typically more “this-worldly” than you would think! I read a really interesting book recently. It argued, persuasively, that Christians before The Enlightenment read the text this way and in our current world most Christians who are from the emerging world do as well.3 I think it’s common and I want to try to stay clear of that trap this morning. We need to stay clear away from these types of thought patterns this morning! So, let’s investigate some other texts this morning about angels to give us a clearer explanation of this morning’s text.

Doctrinal Application

Psalm 82

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

2 Bock, Darrell L. Acts (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2007. p. 426. 3 See: Boyd, Gregory A. The Crucifixion of the Warrior God: Volumes 1 & 2. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2017.

- 3 - 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!

1) Where Do Angels Reside? Psalm 82 portrays a divine counsel where God is seated in the heavenlies and surrounded by angels. (I’m using “angels” as a broad term. I will not distinguish between all heavenly beings this morning!) The Lord speaks to his divine counsel and heavenly host to accomplish His plans that He has for humanity.4 Sara and I have made it through reading 1/3 of the Psalter with Zoe before she goes to sleep. And, the two themes that stick out to me this time are “face to face” encounters with the Lord (Beatific Vision) and the shear otherworldliness of the text. I think Psalm 82 falls into the “otherworldliness” of the Psalms.

Upside Down: If we grew up in the church, we know that God lives in heaven and is surrounded by His heavenly host (Isaiah 6:1-7). We also learned this morning that God does intervene and disrupt the day to day life through His intermediaries named angels. But, how does this abstract idea work itself out in real time? To illustrate this abstract truth, let’s turn our attention to a recent cult classic television show named Stranger Things. If you want to watch the trailer for Season One, I have footnoted it in my manuscript with a link to YouTube.5 In this television show, the “multiverse” theory of reality is invoked. There is our realm and the realm of what is called “the upside down.” This illustration does break down because only evil characters live in the upside down. The chief antagonist in the show is a demonic like figure named “Demogorgon” and this character enters into the earthly realm. The Demogorgon disrupts the world of the teenagers and they have to battle against this being. I recommend the show from a purely entertainment standpoint and that it illustrates Psalm 82 very well. The Heavenly realm is distinct from our world. Our realms are distinct. But, they do intermingle on occasions (and perhaps more than we are aware. The key is mystery!) From time to time, God dispatches his heavenly agents to enter into our realm and deliver God’s people from whatever circumstance is afflicting

4 Heiser, Dr. Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015. Pp., 28-37. 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnd7sFt5c3A

- 4 - them. It is by nature supernatural and does not happen all the time. In fact, in this morning’s text, even the church was surprised it happened!

2) Purpose of Angels? To execute the Lord’s decrees: What is the primary purpose of angels in this morning’s text and in most of the Bible? To execute the Lord’s decrees. Angels and the heavenly host are agents of the Lord. For example, we see this on display in Job 1-2.

Job: In the Book of Job, we have the divine counsel meeting (Job 1:6). In this particular part of Job 1-2, we have Satan showing up to the divine counsel and the Lord allowing him to harass Job. Job is one of the oldest Books in the Bible— perhaps the oldest!—so we can see that the supernatural element is there from the beginning. If you go back and read Job 1-2 this week, notice how the concept of the “upside-down” captures how divine disruption works itself out in either good or bad ways.

3) Angels Battle for Us! I believe the text this morning brilliantly illustrates that whenever the church is in a dire situation and cries out to the Lord for intervention, the Lord dispatches a divine being to aid and assist. The angel acts. But, the Lord is the one who orchestrates the ultimate deliverance. I want to also highlight that in the background (implicitly) hidden in the Book of Acts is the fact that Satan and his minions want to squelch the proclamation of the gospel. But, the Lord has different plans and delivers Peter from the fangs of death. I just want to highlight that Peter is released so that he can preach and teach the gospel. Texts such as Ephesians 6:20-21 serve as a window into the mind of the early church. Preaching is the primary means by which God’s Kingdom is established and advanced. Peter is released in order to achieve the telos of preaching to people who do not know the gospel. We continually see that divine disruptions happen in perilous situations. God acts most gloriously when we are on our knees in need of His mercy. Then He acts! This demonstrates that God’s hand of blessing was upon the early Christians and on Peter in particular. We even have texts, such as 1 and 2 Peter, which give us a glimpse into the preaching style of Peter. (They confirm this outlook!)

Closing

I did not make the applicational section of my sermon about prayer this morning. But, it amazes me that even the early church prayed their hearts out and still didn’t expect Peter to be released. I thought about Jesus famous statement “O ye, of little faith” (Matthew 8:26). I want to continue beating my drum that prayer really matters in Acts. True church growth does not come from fancy advertisement, service projects, or a “life changing” program. Those are secondary considerations and noble. Churches who pull primarily from the managerial class often think like managers when it comes to church growth (myself included!). But, notice the driving factor in the Book of Acts is simplified. They start with the first principles of preaching and prayer.

- 5 - My prayer, as the church is being sifted between the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24- 30), is that we rediscover what is truly efficient in God’s Kingdom: prayer. We need to go back to first principles. And, this is why Acts is so helpful. Furthermore, when we truly pray and are sensitive to the Spirit of Christ’s guidance, we shouldn’t be shocked when the Lord acts in supernatural ways. Theoretically, we could literally have an angelic encounter, or we might experience encounters with others that feel divinely orchestrated. Perhaps we need more experiences in the church such as Rhoda, and less “this- worldly” explanations. All of this can only be achieved through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. And, it’s through Him that we plead for the Father to work through us. Would you pray with me this morning?

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