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called the Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house
for them to be brought. But the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and
reported back, saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the
doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” Now when the captain of the temple guard
and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come
of this. But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the
temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring
them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). When they
had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We
gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your
teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must
obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:17–29, NASB95)
“Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to
mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. When he saw that it
pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him,
intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. So Peter was kept in the prison, but
prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. On the very night when Herod was about
to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in
front of the door were watching over the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared
and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And
his chains fell off his hands.” (Acts 12:1–7, NASB95).

Angel Protect God’s People

When we are suddenly delivered from a danger or distress, we might
suspect that angels have been sent by God to help us, and we should be
thankful. An angel shut the mouths of the lions so they would not hurt
Daniel (Dan. 6:22), delivered the apostles from prison (Acts 5:19–20), later
delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12:7–11), and ministered to Jesus in the
wilderness at a time of great weakness, immediately after his temptations
had ended (Matt. 4:11).

When a car suddenly swerves from hitting us, when we suddenly find footing to keep from being swept
along in a raging river, when we walk unscathed in a dangerous neighborhood, should we not suspect
that God has sent his angels to protect us?

“For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in
their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone.” (Psa. 91:11–12, NASB95). ““My God sent
His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent
before Him; and also, toward you, O king, I have committed no crime”” (Dan. 6:22, NASB95). “Now when
day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what could have become of Peter.
When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that
they be led away to execution. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.
Now he was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and with one accord they came to him, and
having won over Blastus the king’s chamberlain, they were asking for peace, because their country was
fed by the king’s country. On an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on
the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people kept crying out, “The voice of a god

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