The Word of God Increased — Acts 12:1–25 | Video Devotion with Dave Miers
Oct 27, 2026 27011
When opposition comes, where will you turn?
In Acts 11, the gospel breaks out in Antioch: new believers, new churches, new hope. But as we will see this week in Acts 12, that gospel growth is immediately met with fierce opposition.
How will God’s people respond? What will happen to the gospel’s momentum?
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
The chapter unfolds in three acts.
Act I: The Martyr
It’s clear that King Herod is threatened by the momentum of the church.
Check out:
Acts 12:1–3
[1] About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. [2] He killed James the brother of John with the sword, [3] and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. (ESV)
Herod Agrippa I came from a violent family; the family tree drips with blood. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. Seeing that this pleases the people, Herod also arrests Peter. Four squads of soldiers guard him.
Herod thinks that if he takes down the leaders, he can stop the movement. But he cannot kill the risen Jesus or stop his gospel!
Christianity is about Christ: he really lived, he really died, he really rose. The apostles witnessed his resurrection and testified to it, even at the cost of their lives.
Their courageous witness ought to give us confidence that Jesus really rose from the dead. We too can be courageous and stand firm when opposition comes, knowing that Jesus is alive now and still at work.
James is dead. What will happen to Peter?
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Act II: The Miracle
Check it out:
Acts 12:5
[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
The church prays. That word earnest means ‘at full stretch,’ and it’s actually from the same word family that was used to describe Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane in Luke 22!
How will God respond?
Acts 12:6–7
[6] Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. [7] And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. (ESV)
I love how at peace Peter is. The angel has to wake him up! Peter follows him out, past the guards and through the iron gate. Then he realises: the Lord has rescued him.
Peter goes to the house where the church is gathered and praying. The servant girl, Rhoda, recognises his voice, but in her joy she leaves him standing outside. The others tell her she’s out of her mind. The very people praying for Peter’s release refuse to believe it when God answers!
It is a miracle that Peter is released!
But James wasn’t spared, and Peter won’t be spared forever. God doesn’t promise to rescue us from every prison or pain. But he has already rescued us from the ultimate prison of sin and death and given us eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
How does the story end?
Act III: The Multiplication: The Word of God Increased
Herod’s voice roars and the church trembles. But Herod doesn’t get the last word:
Acts 12:21–22
[21] On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. [22] And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” (ESV)
Herod accepts the accolades and adoration of the people as if he were God. That never ends well.
Acts 12:23
[23] Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (ESV)
Herod’s reign ends abruptly; his voice is silenced.
The reign of King Jesus, on the other hand?
Acts 12:24
[24] But the word of God increased and multiplied. (ESV)
Jesus’ rule rolls on. The word of God increased. His word will not be silenced. Herod seems strong, but he cannot stop God’s multiplying mission.
The Good News is…
Jesus is still on his throne. We may not be rescued from every hardship in this life. But Jesus has already given his life for us and defeated death on our behalf. So when opposition comes, we turn to God in prayer, knowing our future is secure with Jesus. No earthly ruler can stop the gospel from spreading.
This week, we’ll slow down through each act in this chapter and pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
Like and share so others can see Jesus clearly.
Further reading: Acts 12:1-25
Reflection
When opposition comes, where will you turn? Ask God to help you pray, keep trusting Jesus, and remember believers who face persecution.
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited