gospel； they glorified God； saying； 〃Then hath God also to the Gentiles
granted repentance unto life。〃
Thus； without controversy； prejudice was broken down； the exclusiveness
established by the custom of ages was abandoned； and the way was opened for
the gospel to be proclaimed to the Gentiles。
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Chapter 15
Delivered From Prison
〃Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain
of the church。〃 The government of Judea was then in the hands of Herod
Agrippa； subject to Claudius； the Roman emperor。 Herod also held the
position of tetrarch of Galilee。 He was professedly a proselyte to the
Jewish faith； and apparently very zealous in carrying out the ceremonies of
the Jewish law。 Desirous of obtaining the favor of the Jews； hoping thus to
make secure his offices and honors； he proceeded to carry out their desires
by persecuting the church of Christ； spoiling the houses and goods of the
believers； and imprisoning the leading members of the church。 He cast James；
the brother of John； into prison； and sent an executioner to kill him with
the sword； as another Herod had caused the prophet John to be beheaded。
Seeing that the Jews were well pleased with these efforts； he imprisoned
Peter also。
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It was during the Passover that these cruelties were practiced。 While the
Jews were celebrating their deliverance from Egypt and pretending great zeal
for the law of God； they were at the same time transgressing every principle
of that law by persecuting and murdering the believers in Christ。
The death of James caused great grief and consternation among the believers。
When Peter also was imprisoned； the entire church engaged in fasting and
prayer。
Herod's act in putting James to death was applauded by the Jews； though some
complained of the private manner in which it was accomplished； maintaining
that a public execution would have more thoroughly intimidated the believers
and those sympathizing with them。 Herod therefore held Peter in custody；
meaning still further to gratify the Jews by the public spectacle of his
death。 But it was suggested that it would not be safe to bring the veteran
apostle out for execution before all the people then assembled in Jerusalem。
It was feared that the sight of him being led out to die might excite the
pity of the multitude。
The priests and elders also feared lest Peter might make one of those
powerful appeals which had frequently aroused the people to study the life
and character of Jesusappeals which they； with all their arguments； had
been unable to controvert。 Peter's zeal in advocating the cause of Christ
had led many to take their stand for the gospel； and the rulers feared that
should he be given an opportunity to defend his faith in the presence of the
multitude who had come to
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the city to worship； his release would be demanded at the hands of the king。
While； upon various pretexts； the execution of Peter was being delayed until
after the Passover； the members of the church had time for deep searching of
heart and earnest prayer。 They prayed without ceasing for Peter； for they
felt that he could not be spared from the cause。 They realized that they had
reached a place where； without the special help of God； the church of Christ
would be destroyed。
Meanwhile worshipers from every nation sought the temple which had been
dedicated to the worship of God。 Glittering with gold and precious stones；
it was a vision of beauty and grandeur。 But Jehovah was no longer to be
found in that palace of loveliness。 Israel as a nation had divorced herself
from God。 When Christ； near the close of His earthly ministry； looked for
the last time upon the interior of the temple； He said； 〃Behold； your house
is left unto you desolate。〃 Matthew 23：38。 Hitherto He had called the temple
His Father's house； but as the Son of God passed our from those walls； God's
presence was withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory。
The day of Peter's execution was at last appointed； but still the prayers of
the believers ascended to heaven； and while all their energies and
sympathies were called out in fervent appeals for help； angels of God were
watching over the imprisoned apostle。
Remembering the former escape of the apostles from prison； Herod on this
occasion had taken double precautions。
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To prevent all possibility of release； Peter had been put under the charge
of sixteen soldiers； who； in different watches； guarded him day and night。
In his cell he was placed between two soldiers and was bound by two chains；
each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of the soldiers。 He was unable
to move without their knowledge。 With the prison doors securely fastened；
and a strong guard before them； all chance of rescue or escape through human
means was cut off。 But man's extremity is God's opportunity。
Peter was confined in a rock…hewn cell； the doors of which were strongly
bolted and barred； and the soldiers on guard were made answerable for the
safekeeping of the prisoner。 But the bolts and bars and the Roman guard；
which effectually cut off all possibility of human aid； were but to make
more complete the triumph of God in the deliverance of Peter。 Herod was
lifting his hand against Omnipotence； and he was to be utterly defeated。 By
the putting forth of His might； God was about to save the precious life that
the Jews were plotting to destroy。
It is the last night before the proposed execution。 A mighty angel is sent
from heaven to rescue Peter。 The strong gates that shut in the saint of God
open without the aid of human hands。 The angel of the Most High passes
through； and the gates close noiselessly behind him。 He enters the cell； and
there lies Peter； sleeping the peaceful sleep of perfect trust。
The light that surrounds the angel fills the cell； but does not rouse the
apostle。 Not until he feels the touch of the angel's hand and hears a voice
saying； 〃Arise up quickly；〃
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does he awaken sufficiently to see his cell illuminated by the light of
heaven； and an angel of great glory standing before him。 Mechanically he
obeys the word spoken to him； and as in rising he lifts his hands he is
dimly conscious that the chains have fallen from his wrists。
Again the voice of the heavenly messenger bids him； 〃Gird thyself； and bind
on thy sandals；〃 and again Peter mechanically obeys； keeping his wondering
gaze riveted upon his visitor and believing himself to be dreaming or in a
vision。 Once more the angel commands； 〃Cast thy garment about thee； and
follow me。〃 He moves toward the door； followed by the usually talkative
Peter； now dumb from amazement。 They step over the guard and reach the
heavily bolted door； which of its own accord swings open and closes again
immediately； while the guards within and without are motionless at their
post。
The second door； also guarded within and without； is reached。 It opens as
did the first； with no creaking of hinges or rattling of iron bolts。 They
pass through； and it closes again as noiselessly。 In the same way they pass
through the third gateway and find themselves in the open street。 No word is
spoken； there is no sound of footsteps。 The angel glides on in front；
encircled by a light of dazzling brightness； and Peter； bewildered； and
still believing himself to be in a dream； follows his deliverer。 Thus they
pass on through one street； and then； the mission of the angel being
accomplished； he suddenly disappears。
The heavenly light faded away； and Peter felt himself to be in profound
darkness； but as his eyes became accustomed
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to the darkness； it gradually seemed to lessen； and he found himself alone
in the silent street； with the cool night air blowing upon his brow。 He now
realized that he was free； in a familiar part of the city； he recognized the
place as one that he had often frequented and had expected to pass on the
morrow for the last time。
He tried to recall the events of the past few moments。 He remembered falling
asleep； bound between two soldiers； with his sandals and outer garments
removed。 He examined his person and found himself fully dressed and girded。
His wrists； swollen from wearing the cruel irons； were free from the
manacles。 He realized that his freedom was no delusion； no dream or vision；
but a blessed reality。 On the morrow he was to have been led forth to die；
but； lo； an angel had delivered him from prison and from death。 〃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。〃
The apostle made his way at once to the house where his brethren were
assembled and where they were at that moment engaged in earnest prayer for
him。 〃As Peter knocked at the door of the gate； a damsel came to hearken；
named Rhoda。 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。 And they
said unto her； Thou art mad。 But she constantly affirmed that it was even
so。 Then said they； It is his angel。
〃But Peter continued knocking： and when they had
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opened the door； and saw him； they were astonished。 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 Peter 〃departed； and went into another
place。〃 Joy and praise filled the hearts of the believers； because God had
heard and answered their prayers and had delivered Peter from the hands of
Herod。
In the morning a large concourse of people gathered to witness the execution
of the apostle。 Herod sent officers to the prison for Peter； who was to be
brought with a great display of arms and guards in order not only to ensure
against his escape； but to intimidate all sympa