Opposition to the Mission

Acts 12:1-25 | Andrew Murch | The camera shifts, the scene changes, and we’re once again back in Jerusalem seeing what is happening to the church and the Apostles there. As we look back at the epicenter of the early church, we also see the heart of the persecution of Christians. Herod is ramping up his ongoing attempts to silence and suppress the Church’s influence. He rounds up Christian leaders, kills James, and imprisons Peter during the celebration of the Passover when the people of Israel commemorate their deliverance from Egypt. Not only is this a significant date in the Jewish calendar, but not many years prior, on this same day, Jesus himself was betrayed by Judas and delivered up to death (Luke 22:1). During these dark days for the early church, believers are reminded of the dark hours of Christ’s death. However, in both instances, death would not be the end of the story.