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Relax and unbind!

So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church (assembly). The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared [standing beside him], and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, Tighten your belt and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your outer garment around you and follow me. And [Peter] went out [along] following him, and he was not conscious that what was apparently being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city. Of its own accord [the gate] swung open, and they went out and passed on through one street; and at once the angel left him.Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting [to do to me]. Acts 12: 5-11 AMP

In Hebrews 12 the chapter begins with King Herod oppressing those in the church of Christian faith. When he kills James, the brother of John with a sword, he marveled at how the people were pleased, so he pursued Peter. However, it was not God's intention for Peter to be killed just yet. Although Peter had no idea he would be delivered, when God sent the angels to free him, Peter thought he was dreaming. Why do you think God saved Peter and not James? 


Without any words being said, it proved to King Herod he is not powerful. God also knew Peter would go straight to his brothers and sisters in faith to tell them how God delivered him from prison. When he arrived at their home, they too were skeptical. By Peter showing up, unexpected to be alive, it proved to even the believers, God has no limits to free us from anything (terminal illness, debt, abusive relationships, homelessness, unemployment, etc) he deems so; so that the more who do not believe will become believers in Christ. It gives believers the confidence to go about preaching and teaching the Good News!

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