I was reading today in Acts 12 about the apostle Peter being arrested and put into prison. King Herod arranged to have four squads of four soldiers each, guarding Peter. Here is the passage:
4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.
8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."
18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.
Is it me, or have you also ever wondered what happens if you were arrested and put in prison, albeit against erroneous charges, and someone (in this case an angel) broke you out; what would you do? Would you leave and go find your friends to tell them you got out? Would you stay behind?
Maybe I am just thinking in terms of modern day scenarios, so I am not sure what would be the appropriate response. I guess I have to consider the persecution for “being of the Way” factor back in the day.
Anyway, this is just my random musing for the day. Maybe someone has a pretty good explanation, if so, let me know.
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