Theory question 108
Persecution of the Early Church(a) Explain how Herod opposed the early church. (b) Identify two consequences of this opposition.
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(a) Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church (Acts 12:1).
He killed James the brother of John with the sword (Acts 12:2).
Seeing it pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter during the days of Unleavened Bread (Acts 12:3).
He put Peter in prison guarded by four squads of soldiers, intending to bring him out after the Passover (Acts 12:4).
The church prayed earnestly for Peter (Acts 12:5).
An angel freed Peter at night; the chains fell off and the iron gate opened by itself (Acts 12:6-10).
Peter went to the house of Mary, John Mark's mother, where many were praying (Acts 12:12-17).
Herod searched for Peter and executed the guards (Acts 12:18-19).
Herod was later struck by an angel and eaten by worms because he did not give God the glory (Acts 12:21-23).
(b) Any two: James became a martyr; the church was driven to earnest prayer; God showed His power by delivering Peter; Herod was punished; "the word of God grew and multiplied" (Acts 12:24); Peter left Jerusalem for another place.
Narrate Acts 12, then two consequences.