The Beginning of the Work in Antioch, 11:19-21.
[19] Our attention is called back to the events which followed the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1-4). Of those who were scattered, we note that some travelled to regions far to the north of Jerusalem. These events occurred at the same time as Philip’s preaching in Samaria, Saul’s preaching in Damascus and Cilicia, and Peter’s activity along the coast in Lydda, Joppa, and surrounding areas. No doubt there were hundreds of those early disciples who went throughout the country preaching the Word. They are good examples for us, showing that we must be very busy, preaching throughout the world.
[20-21] During this period of the early growth of the church, the gospel was preached only to Jews and to the people of Samaria. Peter was the first to preach to Gentiles, probably nearly 10 years after the church began. Evidently, about the time Peter preached to Cornelius, other Jewish brethren also began to preach to Gentiles. In this way, the gospel entered a new tribe. In cities like Antioch, Christians from different tribes could worship together as a testimony of unity (Colossians 3:11).
Acts 11:22-30
22 The congregation which was in Jerusalem heard about these new believers in Antioch in Syria. So, the believers in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23-24 Barnabas was a good man. He was full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith. When Barnabas went to Antioch, he saw how much God had blessed them. This made him very happy. He began to encourage all the believers in Antioch. He told them, “Never lose your faith. Always obey the Lord with all your hearts.” A large number of people became followers of the Lord Jesus. 25 Then Barnabas left for the city of Tarsus. He was looking for Saul. 26 When he found Saul, Barnabas brought him to Antioch. Saul and Barnabas taught a large crowd. For a whole year they met with the congregation. In Antioch, God called the followers of Jesus “Christians” for the first time. 27 About that same time, some prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Agabus stood up and spoke. With the help of the Holy Spirit, he said, “A very bad time is coming to the whole world. There will be very little food for people to eat.” (This famine occurred during the time when Claudius was Caesar.) 29 The followers of Jesus decided that they would all try to help their brothers and sisters who lived in Judea. Each believer planned to send them as much as he could. 30 They gathered the money and gave it to Barnabas and Saul. Then Barnabas and Saul brought it to the elders in Jerusalem.
Barnabas Is Sent to Antioch, 11:22-24.
[22-24] The church in Jerusalem heard of the conversion of the Gentiles. We assume that this event happened after Peter’s experience with Cornelius. It was only after that event that the Jews accepted the Gentiles. Barnabas was sent to strengthen the new church at Antioch.
Barnabas Brings Saul to Antioch, 11:25-26.
[25-26] The church grew rapidly. Barnabas felt a need for additional helpers. When the harvest is ripe, we need to send many reapers into the field! (Matthew 9:38). Barnabas had not seen Saul since he had left Jerusalem several years earlier (Acts 9:27-30). It was there in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. They became the tribe of Christ. It was natural that these early disciples were identified by the name of their Saviour, Christ (Acts 4:12). Denominations which use other names are not following Christ.
Barnabas and Saul Go to Judea to Help in Famine Relief, 11:27-30.
[27-28] This is the first mention of the gift of prophecy among Christians. It was one of the spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:29ff.; Ephesians 4:11) known in the early church. Agabus seemed to be well-known, and his word was readily accepted. This famine came during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius, who ruled during the period A.D. 41-54. The famine was probably early in his reign, about A.D. 43.
[29-30] The early disciples were conscious of the need to share. Immediately, they sent help to the brethren in Judea. Barnabas and Saul were the messengers who brought the aid. It was delivered to the elders. They were the ones who had the responsibility of caring for the needs of the church (see also 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
Acts 12:1-11
12 1 During that same time, King Herod Agrippa I began to persecute some members of the congregation. 2 He ordered that James be killed with a sword. (James was the brother of John.) 3 Herod saw that the Jewish leaders liked this. So he decided to arrest Peter, too. (This happened during the time of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.) 4 Herod had Peter arrested and put in jail. He turned Peter over to a group of 16 soldiers to guard him. Herod wanted to wait until after the Passover Festival. Then he planned to bring Peter before the people. 5 So, Peter was kept in jail, but the congregation was constantly praying to God for Peter. 6 Peter was sleeping between two of the soldiers. He was bound with two chains. More soldiers were guarding the jail entrance. It was at night, and Herod planned to bring Peter out to the people the next day. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there. A light shined in the cell. The angel touched Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, “Hurry, get up!” Then the chains fell off of Peter’s hands. 8 The angel said to Peter, “Get dressed and put your shoes on.” So Peter did this. Then the angel said, “Put on your robe and follow me.” 9 Then the angel went out and Peter followed. Peter didn’t know if the angel was really doing this. He kept thinking that he might be seeing a vision. 10 Peter and the angel went past the first guard and the second guard. Then they came to the iron gate which separated them from the city. The gate opened for them by itself. Peter and the angel went through it and walked about a block. Then the angel suddenly left. 11 Then Peter realized what had happened. He thought, “Now I know that the Lord really did send his angel to me. He rescued me from Herod and everything which the Jewish people were expecting.”
More Persecution in Jerusalem, 12:1-5.
[1] This is the first recorded instance of persecution at the hands of civil rulers. Herod Agrippa I was a grandson of Herod the Great, who had killed the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2). This Herod was also a nephew of Herod the Tetrarch, by whom John the Baptist was beheaded (Matthew 14). This Herod grew up in the city of Rome. There he became a friend of the Roman rulers and was later appointed king over a large region of Palestine. His death is recorded in history as occurring in A.D. 44.This gives us one of the first exact dates by which to relate the chronology of that time. In other words, the events of this chapter occur about 14 years after the church began in Jerusalem.
[2-6] James was the first apostle to be killed. Seeing that this murder pleased the Jews who opposed Christianity, Herod sought even greater favour by taking Peter. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover feast) originated as a part of the Jewish law (Leviticus 23:4-8).
Peter’s condition was remembered by the Christians. They knew the power of prayer and spoke to God on Peter’s behalf.
Peter Is Freed From Prison, 12:6-19.
[6] It is clear that Peter was securely imprisoned. No man could escape under such circumstances by himself. But Peter was not by himself! In those days of special spiritual gifts and miracles, an angel appeared.
[7-11] Many events on that night showed the miraculous work of the angel. Peter’s chains fell off. He got up and left without his guards knowing it. He passed through the first gate, then the second, and finally, the third gate. Guards posted at these gates were not aware of what was happening. Even Peter himself did not realize that these things were really happening until he was safely outside the prison.
Acts 12:12-19
12 When Peter realized this, he went to Mary’s house. She was the mother of John. (John was also called Mark.) Many people were gathered there; they were all praying. 13 Peter knocked on the outside door. A servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it. 14 Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice. She was so happy she even forgot to open the door. Instead, she ran inside and told the group. “Peter is at the door!” 15 The believers said to Rhoda, ‘”You are crazy!” But she kept insisting that it was true. So they said, “It must be Peter’s angel.” 16 Peter continued to knock. When the believers opened the door, they saw Peter. They were amazed. 17 Peter made a sign with his hand to tell them to be quiet. He explained to them how the Lord led him out of jail. He said, “Tell James and the other brothers what happened.” Then Peter left to go to another place. 18 The next day the soldiers were very upset. They wondered what had happened to Peter. 19 Herod looked everywhere for Peter, but couldn’t find him. Herod asked the guards many questions and tortured them. Then he gave the order that the guards be killed. Later Herod left Judea. He went down to the city of Caesarea and stayed there for a while.
[12] At once, Peter went to the place where he knew there were Christians. In the house of Mary, the Christians continued in prayer. John Mark later became the companion of Saul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. He was a close associate of Peter in later years. He also wrote the second book of the New Testament (Mark).
[13-14] Since Peter’s voice was recognized, it is obvious he had been a frequent visitor at the house of Mary. This was probably one of the places where the church met regularly. The people could not believe that Peter was actually free from prison. They decided that this person had to be his angel. They probably believed that he had been killed and that they were seeing an appearance of his spirit.
[15-19] Peter was invited in, and he explained what had happened. He left quickly, knowing his enemies would seek to kill him. This James was probably the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19; 2:9, Acts 15:13ff.). James and other brothers were probably meeting in another place, and Peter did not want to take time to seek them. Note that the church was meeting in Mary’s house. This was the common practice then. No church buildings had been built, and the people met in the homes of Christians (Romans 16:5).
Acts 12:20-25
20 Herod was very angry with the people from the cities of Tyre and Sidon. However, they were able to get Blastus on their side. (Blastus was the king’s personal servant.) They came to Herod with one purpose in mind: They wanted peace, because their country needed food from Herod’s country. 21 Herod decided on a day to meet with them. On that day Herod was wearing a beautiful royal robe. He sat on his throne and made a speech to the people. 22 The people shouted, “This is not the voice of a man; it is the voice of a god!” 23 But Herod didn’t give the glory to God. So, an angel of the Lord caused him to become sick. He was soon eaten by worms inside him, and he died. 24 The message of God was spreading and influencing more and more people. The group of believers became larger and larger. 25 After Barnabas and Saul finished their work in Jerusalem, they returned to Antioch. John Mark went along with them.
The Death of Herod, and the Return of Barnabas and Saul, 12:20-25.
[20-25] The cause of Herod’s anger is not known. Since the people of Tyre and Sidon needed help from Herod, they came for the purpose of becoming his friends. In an effort to please Herod, the crowd said that Herod sounded like a god. Though such words brought joy to the pagan heart of Herod, he did not have time to boast in pride. He was immediately struck by an angel of the Lord, and he died. Most miracles did not bring death and destruction, but there were some that did (Acts 5:1f.; 13:11; Exodus 3-12).
Acts 13:1-4
13 1 In the congregation at Antioch in Syria, there were some prophets and teachers. They were: Barnabas, Simeon (also called Black), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with Herod Antipas, the ruler), Saul. 2 They were all serving the Lord and fasting. The Holy Spirit said to them, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for My service; I have chosen them to do a special work.” 3 So, the congregation fasted and prayed. They put their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them out. 4 Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went to the city of Seleucia. Then they sailed from Seleucia to the island of Cyprus. 5 When Barnabas and Saul came to the city of Salamis, they were preaching God’s message in the Jewish synagogues. (John Mark went along to help them.)