But there is still one more dramatic story in chapter 12 although Peter was involved in the Council at Jerusalem in chapter 15. Whilst not material that lends itself to a primary school assembly, the events of chapter 15 are certainly significant in the progress of the church as it became increasing Gentile in makeup.
Back to chapter 12 and Peter's miraculous escape from prison.
We're currently heavily involved in preparation for our virtual Holiday Club - on the story of Daniel (the first half at least). And many of the teaching points revolve around statements like 'we can trust God because he is able to save us from...' And whilst that is certainly the case for Daniel and his three friends, we know too many examples of where that has not been the case.
Here we read about Peter's miraculous escape from prison, and whilst there are modern-day stories of Christians miraculously escaping from prison, there are also stories of Christians who aren't released from prison. Christians being martyred for their faith. Christians dying of Covid-19.
It's interesting to note that chapter 12 starts with the imprisonment and execution of James - who would have been a close friend of Peter. Why did God rescue Peter and not James?
I wonder what the Christians gathered in Mary's house were praying. Were they praying for Peter's release? If so, they didn't seem to have much faith given their surprise at his presence at the front door. Or were they praying for his strength to remain faithful to the end - which was surely only hours away? He certainly seemed to be at peace - fast asleep in his cell.
There are so many questions that we are simply not going to be able to answer.
Peter clearly didn't expect God to rescue him, and yet that didn't stop his ongoing obedience and faithfulness. He was prepared to face prison and execution without the expectation that God would intervene every time to keep him safe and well.
Very little of the Bible makes much sense without the big picture - not just the big picture in terms of the spread of the gospel and the growth of the church, but also the big picture in terms of eternity. Clearly, God had more work for Peter to do in the life of the church in Jerusalem. But both Peter and James knew that even death was not the end of the story.
They would have both known the book of Psalms - many of the Psalms they would have known off by heart. Psalm 56:11 says, 'In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'
The answer to that question is not 'nothing'. But no doubt Peter and James read this Psalm in the light of Jesus' words, in Matthew 10:28, 'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell'.
Obviously, I didn't go into most of that in the actual assembly.
