Christ's Church Persecuted: Acts 12:1-25

CHURCH SUFFERS PERSECUTION UNDER HEROD (ch. 12)

A. Execution of James

• 1. Herod persecutes Christ's church, v1
• 2. Herod puts James to death, v2
• 3. Herod plans to execute Peter, vv3-4
     B. Escape of Peter
• 1. Christ's church prays, v5
• 2. Christ's apostle at peace, v6
• 3. Christ's angel appears to Peter, vv7-10
• 4. Christ's apostle freed from prison, vv11-19
     C. Evil Exaltation of Herod
• 1. Christ's angel smites Herod, vv20-23
• 2. Christ's church grows and multiplies, vv24-25

ROUGH TIMELINE

Augustus Caesar, reigns 31 BC-14 AD
Tiberius Caesar, reigns 14 AD-37 AD

• Herod Antipas (Antipater), reigns in Galilee & Perea, 4 BC-39 AD
• 15th year of Tiberius (Lk 3:1), Jesus began His ministry at age 30 (Lk 3:23), autumn 28 AD, therefore, Jesus was born autumn 2 BC
• Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea 26-36 AD
• Christ Jesus crucified, spring 32 AD, 3-1/2 year ministry.
• Holy Spirit given on Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), summer 32 AD (Acts 1-2)
• warnings & imprisonments to apostles, 32-35 AD (Acts 3-5)
• deacons selected & Stephen martyred, 36 AD (Acts 6-7)
• Marcellus, prefect of Judea 36 AD
  Caligula Caesar, reigns 37-41 AD
• Marullus, prefect of Judea, 37-41 AD
  Claudius Caesar, reigns 41-54 AD
• Herod Agrippa, king of Judea 41-44 AD
• Cuspius Fadius, procurator of Judea 44-46 AD
• Tiberius Julius Alexander, procurator 46-48 AD
• Ventidius Cumanus, procurator 48-52 AD
• Marcus Antonius Felix, procurator 52-60 AD