Herod Agrippa I: A Zealous King Formations November 19, 2017 Is there no end to the Herods? Here Judaism and Rome. Like the other rulers we are studying the third ruler in the of his lineage, he sought total political Scripture: Acts 12:1-10, 20-23 Herodian dynasty. Herod Agrippa I, control, but he also saw himself as the king sought resolution and restoration. grandson of Herod the zealous defender of his religion. Acts 12 A series of athletic competitions were Great and nephew of tells us he arrested and executed James, scheduled in that beautiful seaside area Herod Antipas, appears the brother of John, during the Passover in honor of the emperor. Josephus tells only in Acts 12 in the season, which “pleased the Jews” (v. 3). us that Herod opened the games clothed Bible. But this Herod is He arrested Peter with the same intent in a beautiful silver robe that caught the diff erent from his royal of execution, but this fell at the feast of sunlight. When Agrippa spoke, the people relatives in that he is Passover, so he had to hold his prisoner for shouted, “Th is is a god’s voice, not the the religious king. Th e execution until aft er the feast day was past. voice of a mere human” (v. 22). No Jew Michael K. Jewish historian of that Peter was treated as a threat to political would have said such a thing, but this was Olmsted time, Josephus, describes stability, chained and guarded by sixteen an international port, heavily populated him: “He loved to live Roman soldiers. by Gentiles. Th e author of Acts tells us continuously in Jerusalem, and was exactly What a picture! A ruthless and powerful Agrippa accepted the idolatrous accolades careful in the observance of the (Jewish) king with the authority of both church and he was suddenly struck down in laws of his country. He therefore kept and state behind him, ready to kill a man divine judgment “because he didn’t give himself entirely pure; nor did any day whose only crime is to have preached the honor to God” (v. 23). Josephus off ers pass over his head without its appointed a message of hope and love. It reminds an account less off ensive to the Romans, sacrifi ce” (Clinton Arnold, “Acts,” me of faithful Christians like the Bible reporting that Agrippa realized his sin and Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds translator John Wycliff e, who faced threats submitted himself to divine punishment. Commentary, 2002). Given the despicable from kings and the state church because Some scholars suggest that the image Roman overlords and the gross immorality he wanted ordinary people to be able of Agrippa being “eaten by worms” is of the other Herods, this man was the most to read the Bible in their own language; evidence of advanced bowl infection or religious leader Jerusalem had known in our early Baptist pioneers who faced disease. Th e point is clearly made that generations. prison and death in England because they Agrippa was more a man of selfi shness and Th e divide between religious zeal and would not support the state church; and all-consuming religious zeal than a man of faith in God can be as diff erent as day and those who came to America to champion faith in God. night, to use an over worn phrase. Th e religious freedom for all. Th ere is great In our complex political world, with Jewish leadership in Jerusalem despised danger when any government gets into candidates claiming to be Christian in spite the Gentile Roman overlords as an evil the religion business, when any politician of their fl awed morals, racism, egotism aff ront to God, and they hated any Jews plays the faith card to garner votes or and selfi sh zeal, we should seriously who “betrayed the faith” to follow the belittle opponents, when religious zeal examine our own faith and motives. We crucifi ed Christ. But when your religious targets those who are in opposition. Th ere judge too quickly, believe falsehoods too distinctives and fi nancial security depend is a reason Baptists have championed the easily, and choose sides before we consider on the support of a foreign occupying separation of church and state — to protect sitting down together with a willingness force the obvious choice is to go along with the integrity of both and the spiritual to consider possibilities with God’s help. the status quo, collaborate to protect what freedom of all. Have you ever dismissed someone simply is yours, and wait for the right opportunity. What does the Jerusalem church do to because of their ethnicity, social standing, So there was a convenient peace. confront the ruthless religious-political religion or political affi liation? Haven’t Remember, the Jewish power brokers of power of Herod? Th ey pray. Th ey have no we all? In a nation that is supposed to Jerusalem worked it so the Roman thugs political power, no infl uence among the protect religious freedom and value all would kill the bothersome Jesus for them! Jewish establishment, but they trust God people, how do you answer the hatred and Both sides benefi ted. Herod Agrippa I in all things. God answers their prayers. vindictiveness we face daily? What shapes was descended from the Hasmonean line, An angel appears to Peter in prison, your thinking and actions? the son and grandson of collaborating waking him and telling him: “Shake off Herod Agrippa I was a man of zealous rulers. He grew up in Rome as a friend your chains and put on your cloak and faith. He despised and sought to kill of the Roman emperors, Caligula and sandals. We’re breaking out of here” (vv. anyone who did not agree with him. Our Claudius, and was appointed ruler over the 7-8). At fi rst Peter thinks he is dreaming news reports remind us daily that such Jewish territory formerly administrated by as they walk right by the guards and the people exist today. Is your answer to be like his uncle, Herod Philip. He proved himself iron gate swings open. It is only when the them because you know “the truth”? Or do loyal to the Romans, and, when Caligula angel has led Peter along the street that the you seek to live out God’s love and grace? deposed the inept Herod Antipas, was apostle realizes he is free! Agrippa reacts What “god” do you worship? Is it the God granted those territories (37 AD). Finally, as we would expect, killing the guards and who gives life? And what does it mean to in 41 AD, Agrippa was made ruler over the increasing his persecution of the church. be zealous for God? Consider Jesus, the additional regions of Samaria, Judea and But the ugly tale is not done. We are only begotten Son of God, the Savior of Idumea. not certain how much time passes before the world. Herod Agrippa studied the Torah, kept the end came to Herod Agrippa. Aft er Retired aft er almost 50 years in pastoral the religious rules and feast days, and a period of tension between Agrippa in ministry, Michael K. Olmsted enjoys courted the priests and religious leaders. Jerusalem and the leaders of Tyre and family, supply preaching and interim work, He saw all Christians as enemies of both Sidon on the Mediterranean coast, the literature, history, the arts and antiques.

Formations is a curriculum series from Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc. through NextSunday Resources.