Peter Is Freed

Peter Is Freed

Q: How did Peter get out of prison?

• a. He escaped through a window.
• b. An angel released him from prison.
• c. The other disciples broke Peter out of prison.

Herod Agrippa I had Peter imprisoned for preaching about Jesus. He planned to put Peter on trial and kill him after the Passover celebration in an attempt to win favor with the Jews by attempting to stamp out Christianity.

The church began to pray for Peter’s release, and God sent an angel to answer their prayers. Peter was bound with chains and well guarded, but when an angel appeared and told Peter to hurry and get up, the chains fell away. Peter followed the angel out of the prison.

Peter went to the house where people had gathered to pray for him and knocked on the door. Rhoda, the servant girl, realized it was Peter, but she left him standing there while she ran to tell the others! Even though they were praying for his release, the men and women did not believe Rhoda’s report.

Peter kept knocking. Finally they opened the door and were surprised to see him. The next morning the prison guards searched for Peter, but he couldn’t be found.

The believers were gathered to pray for Peter’s release, yet they didn’t believe when it happened. God wants his people to pray with faith and to be thankful, not surprised, when the answers come.

For You

The early believers prayed, but when the answer showed up on their doorstep, they didn’t believe. Pray with faith that your prayer will be answered, and expect the answer. It may not happen as quickly as it did for Peter’s friends, but if it’s in God’s plan for you, it will happen.

Answer: b

Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.   Acts 12:7

(The Whole Story: Acts 12:3-19)