Atos 12
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 12
Spurgeon: Troubles seldom come alone; first the famine, then persecution; the church can endure all things. Why did persecution of the disciples occur now, which is about 8-10 years after the persecution described in Acts 8:1-4? A T
Atos 12
Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" An angel of the Lord - Not THE "Angel of the LORD" which is a theophany or pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament (a "Christophany"). (What is a theophany? What is a Christophany?) This angel was a "messenger" sent from the Lord. The psalmist David wrote a passage that in some ways relates to the events in Acts 12 "The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues (Lxx = rhuomai) them. (Psalm 34:7) Comment - Many including C H Spurgeon interpret this "Angel" as the Lord Jesus in pre-incarnate form (see commentary). Angel (32)(aggelos/angelos from ago = to bring) literally means a messenger (one who bears a message - Lk 1:11, 2:9, etc or does an errand). Most of the NT uses refer to heavenly angels (messengers) who are supernatural, transcendent beings with power to carry out various tasks, in this case power to unlock chains on Peter's risk and lead him out of the heavily guarded prison. Presumably the guards were placed in a stance of some sort and thus totally unaware of the "great escape!" Note that all uses of aggelos that refer to angels are masculine gender (the feminine form of aggelos does not occur.) Hebrews 1:14 is an apt description of this angel the writer of Hebrews rhetorically asking about angels... Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? John Phillips on angel of the Lord - Jacob had an angel who protected him from Laban (Gen. 48:16). Daniel had an angel who protected him from the lions (Dan. 6:27). Little children have their angels who report to God's throne any mistreatment they receive (Matt. 18:10). Paul had an angel who strengthened him when on board the sinking ship (Acts 27:23). The Holy Spirit tells us that angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14+). (See Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary - Page 225) Related Resources: Do we have guardian angels? Who is the angel of the Lord? Suddenly appeared (2186)(ephistemi from epi = upon, by, near + histemi = stand) means literally to stand by, upon or over and conveys the sense of to be at hand, be present. As in this context ephistemi refers to a sudden unexpected appearance (cf Luke 2:9 = "And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened."; Lk 24:4; Acts 4:1; 12:7). In the same way the angel came, he left Luke recording "immediately the angel departed from him." (Act 12:10). And a light shone in the cell - The soldiers were "out like a light" so to speak and unaware of the light. Even Peter seems to be sound asleep. Cell is oikema used only here in NT and literally describing a dwelling place (from oikeo = to dwell) and thus used euphemistically here for a prison cell. Apparently the light shone only in Peter’s cell. John Phillips on the cell - Luke uses an interesting word for prison. It is oikēma, a word that occurs only here in the New Testament. It literally means dwelling. The Lord's continuing presence in that prison had converted Peter's cell into a home. Peter had quietly made himself at home in those uncongenial surroundings. If it was the Lord's will for him to be committed to prison, he would be contented in prison. (See Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary - Page 225) Bob