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You may remember Peter’s famous escape, but you may not remember how James’ martyrdom led up to it.

BibleGateway: Acts 12:1-10

ESV Text: Acts 12:1-10


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 0:0 and ends at about 1:38

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     1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

     5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon 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. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 259:
Flung to the Heedless Winds

— Organ Audio

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1. Flung to the heedless winds 
Or on the waters cast, 
The martyrs’ ashes, watched, 
Shall gathered be at last. 
And from that scattered dust, 
Around us and abroad, 
Shall spring a plenteous seed 
Of witnesses for God. 

2. The Father hath received 
Their latest living breath, 
And vain is Satan’s boast 
Of victory in their death. 
Still, still, though dead, they speak, 
And, trumpet-tongued, proclaim 
To many a wakening land 
The one availing Name.