FYI: We are 90% of the way through and on the final 10% stretch of the Bible! WOOHOO!
BACKGROUND
Getting a Grip on Agrippa I
He was the grandson of Herod the Great, the ruler who killed the innocent boys two years old and younger because he was looking for Jesus (Matthew 2:1-18). He was appointed by the Roman emperor, Caligula, as governor of all of Palestine. He was a persecutor of the early believers because he wanted to be in favor with the Jews. He imprisoned Peter and had James put to death by the sword. He died in A.D. 44 in Caesarea because he did not glorify God (12:23 and the Antiquities of the Jews 19.8.2 by Josephus). He was succeeded by Felix and Festus. Three of Herod's children will be mentioned later on in Acts: Drusilla, wife of Felix (24:24-26), Bernice (25:13, 23), and Herod Agrippa II (25:13-26:32) who ruled from A.D. 50-70.
Which James was Slain?
The James that was slain was a son of Zebedee and Salome. He was also called one of the "sons of Thunder" because of his boldness. He was the elder brother of John and one of the twelve disciples. He was also called "James the Greater." He was a fisherman and in partnership with Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). He was one of the inner core of three among the twelve who were present at the transfiguration along with Peter and John (Matthew 17:1), the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and in the garden (14:33). He was slain in fulfillment of the prophecy by Jesus in Mark 10:39.
The other people named James in the New Testament are:
- the son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18)
- the father of Judas (not Iscariot; Luke 6:16)
- the half-brother of the Lord (Gal. 1:19) and believed to be the author of the Epistle of James.
I could not resist posting this Amy Grant 80s music video to a song based on Acts 12 called "Angels Watching Over Me." The video quality is poor, but it is a fun blast from the past:
APPLICATION
But on a more serious note, please pray for those in prison for their faith. The Voice of the Martyrs website has a "Prison Alert" that has excellent fuel for prayer.
PRAYER
Give us the courage to pray bold and faith-filled prayers for our brothers and sisters who are imprisoned for their faith throughout the world. Give them strength and courage and bold witness for You. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
1 comment:
Clicking on the link that I set all those years ago, led me to the picture of someone I know. Our friend, Raymond Koh, was abducted in Malaysia and has not been seen since. His wife is speaking at an online conference. I prayed for her today. I am going to the conference. While I don't know them, I have read all about the other two speakers.
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