Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Peter, in Prison

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In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter experiences a miraculous encounter with an angel while imprisoned, as recorded in the Book of Acts. This event underscores the divine intervention and protection afforded to the early Church and its leaders, highlighting the role of angels as messengers and agents of God's will.

Biblical Account:

The account of the angel's appearance to Peter in prison is found in Acts 12:1-11. King Herod Agrippa I had begun to persecute members of the early Church, and he arrested Peter with the intention of bringing him to public trial after the Passover. Peter was kept in prison, heavily guarded by four squads of soldiers.

The narrative describes a miraculous intervention on the night before Peter's trial. Acts 12:7-10 states:

"Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 'Get dressed and put on your sandals,' said the angel. And Peter did so. 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,' the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened for them by itself. They went through it and walked along one street, and suddenly the angel left him."

Significance:

This angelic visitation is significant for several reasons:

1. Divine Deliverance: The angel's intervention illustrates God's power to deliver His servants from seemingly impossible situations. Despite being heavily guarded, Peter's escape was facilitated by divine means, emphasizing God's sovereignty over earthly authorities.

2. Encouragement to the Church: The miraculous nature of Peter's release served as a powerful testimony to the early Christian community. It reinforced their faith in God's protection and His ability to intervene in dire circumstances.

3. Role of Angels: This account highlights the role of angels as God's messengers and agents. The angel's actions were precise and purposeful, guiding Peter step by step to freedom. This reflects the biblical understanding of angels as ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).

4. Peter's Faith and Obedience: Peter's response to the angel's instructions demonstrates his faith and readiness to follow divine guidance, even when he initially perceived the experience as a vision. His obedience was crucial to the fulfillment of God's plan for his release.

Conclusion:

The appearance of an angel to Peter in prison is a profound example of God's intervention in the lives of His people. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual realities that accompany the physical world and the assurance that God is actively involved in the affairs of His Church. This event continues to inspire believers with the hope and confidence that God is able to deliver and protect His faithful servants in times of trial.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 12:7-11
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came on him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Peter Alone with Jesus
... The other appearances of the risen Lord to individuals on ... Christ is ever near the
penitent spirit; and whilst he ... the next moment, as when the angel touched the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/peter alone with jesus.htm

Conversion
... A remarkable prison deliverance by the "Angel of the Lord ... 1:Cor.15:1-8). In these
appearances Jesus had ... baptism and was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ii conversion.htm

His Conversion
... in the council-chamber shining like that of an angel. ... mind, or the whispers of a
wicked spirit attempting to ... it on the same level as the appearances to Peter ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

Acts xii. 18, 19
... upon us, nay, often only from a spirit of emulation ... from the recapitulation:
"But--if the Angel," etc. ... him out, they would have contrived appearances, or would ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvii acts xii 18.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... Old Testament (29-32), and discussing the appearances of our ... it was formerly called
a demon, or angel of Satan ... in Isaiah, [5034] "Who maketh the spirit of man ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3
... And unto the Angel of the Assembly in Laodicea, [125 ... could not with God, who is
"Spirit" (John 4 ... that He assumed creature form specially for these appearances. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the people on the earth .htm

The Raising of the Dead.
... accompaniments, all that makes the most beloved of the appearances of God's ... in part
shall be done away." When the spirit of death ... Death is God's angel of birth ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/viii the raising of the.htm

The Temptation in the Wilderness.
... I think in all, only a hastening of appearances; the doing ... and administered by the
wisdom of the Spirit that was ... the man on earth shall see his angel face to ...
/.../macdonald/unspoken sermons/the temptation in the wilderness.htm

A Canticle of Love
... To all appearances, I was well cared for, and yet ... Had not this Spirit of Truth already
dictated these words ... be," thought the Mother, "if this Angel would only ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... who had seen and enjoyed the general appearances, and doubtless ... white, or Satan
transformed into an angel of light ... And Paul was grieved in his spirit, when the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm