Acts: 12: 13-17 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
1. Peter knocked at the outer entrance
The answer to their prayer is standing at the door, but they don’t have faith enough to open the door and let him in! God could get peter out of prison but Peter can’t get himself in the prayer meeting.
There are so many believers outside the church because they are not fit according to our screening
2. Rhoda recognized Peter
It took courage for the maid ‘Rhoda’ (Rose) to go to the door, but imagine her surprise when she recognized Peter’s voice! Acts: 12:14 She was so overwhelmed that she forgets to open the door! Poor Peter standing outside and continue knocking.
Some people are so religious not to recognize others knock, other’s need, they think keeping away from others considered as more spiritual
Our Lord Jesus yet, He is the Son of God, He was always with common people, needy people anyone can approach Him anytime
3. You’re out of your mind,”
Of course, the knock at the door might have been that of Herod’s soldiers, coming to arrest more believers.
We must face the fact that even in the most fervent prayer meetings sometimes there is a spirit of doubt and unbelief.
4. “It must be his angel.”
The exclamation, “It is his angel!” Acts: 12:15 reveals their belief in “guardian angels” (Mtt: 18:10; Heb: 1:14) Good theology, but poor faith
Sad to say, good theology plus unbelief often leads to fear and confusion.
Doubt and fear are the unwelcomed visitors in our spiritual life – if we do not treat them well, they will mess-up our vision and mission.
Look at Prophet Elijah after a great ministry he confused and doubt and fear made him spiritually weak – 1Kig: 19:3-4.
Look at John the Baptist – after the great ministry as a forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ he was also confused about the Lord Jesus as Messiah – He only introduced the Lamb of God
Mt: 11:2-3 Are you the one who has to come, or should we expect someone else? What a tragic question of a great prophet!
But what was Paul’s response when he was in prison?
2Tim: 1: 12. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet Iam not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day
5. Peter kept on knocking
But Peter kept on knocking - It was easy for Peter to come out of the prison, but it was quite hard to get into the church, you may have wonderful testimony but church has to screen people before accept them as members.
6. The unity of saints bring miracle
Vs: 16. “They” opened the door and “they” were astonished. I get the impression that, for safety’s sake they decided to open the door together and face together whatever might be on the other side.
They were in one mind and one heart not only for prayer but also for face any challenges come against them.
7. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet.
They handled the miracle wisely, church need to practice this, many people do not know how to keep their tongue, do not proclaim all the truths that is dangerous.
The propaganda of the false evangelization statistics making severe problems to Christianity especially in India and other heathen countries.
Do not tell everything to everybody – even what the Lord is doing for His church – purpose behind propagation is self-glory
Many persecution Christians faces is because of the lack of knowledge – we do not know how to handle situations wisely.
1Saml:10: 15-16. Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”16 Saul replied, “He assured us that the donkeys had been found.” But he did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.
Do not mix spirituality with emotion – do not mix our overwhelming joy with spirituality empty emotions are not spirituality
May the good Lord bless through these words!