Death and Escape

As men and women ran from burning buildings to escape death, they were captured by King Herod and imprisoned. These Christians were the only thing standing between him and power. James, one of the Lord’s twelve disciples, remained in the city preaching about the restoration that Jesus brings. While he was preaching, Herod sent guards to kill him where he stood. A public death sent a message from Herod that he is King, not Jesus. But this persecution could not stop Jesus or His followers. Even when Peter was captured and imprisoned, God made a way for him to escape death.

In our previous episode, we heard about the spread of the Gospel, with more non-Jews turning to Christ because of the faithful witness of believers who’d scattered around the Roman world. We also learned how Barnabas and Saul began to work together to educate new believers in Antioch so that they would remain firm in the faith. Today we’ll hear of more persecution, and another faithful servant who dies because of his faith. The enemy of the gospel is pulling out the stops to keep the name of Jesus from being proclaimed, but through it all God will strengthen the church and make His name known.