(a) Narrate the circumstances under which Peter was rescued from prison. (b) Mention any three lessons that can be learnt from the above incident.

(a) The circumstances under which Peter was rescued from prison (Acts 12:1-19).

1. About that time King Herod (Agrippa) laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church, and he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
2. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, during the days of Unleavened Bread.
3. He put Peter in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
4. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.
5. On the very night before Herod was to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while sentries before the door guarded the prison.
6. Suddenly an angel of the Lord stood beside him, and a light shone in the cell. The angel struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly," and the chains fell off his hands.
7. The angel told him to dress himself, put on his sandals, wrap his cloak around him and follow.
8. Peter followed, not knowing that what was being done by the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
9. They passed the first and the second guard and came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened for them of its own accord. They went out and along one street, and immediately the angel left him.
10. Then Peter came to himself and said that the Lord had sent His angel and rescued him from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
11. He went to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered together praying. A servant girl named Rhoda recognised his voice at the gate and, in her joy, ran in without opening it. The others did not believe her, but Peter continued knocking, and when they opened they were amazed.
12. When day came there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. Herod searched for him, did not find him, examined the sentries and ordered that they be put to death.

(b) Three lessons that can be learnt from the incident.

1. God answers earnest and persistent prayer: the fervent prayer of the church brought about Peter's deliverance.
2. God protects and delivers His faithful servants, even from seemingly hopeless situations.
3. Nothing is impossible with God: chains, guards and iron gates could not hold back God's purpose.
4. The wicked will not go unpunished: Herod, the persecutor, later met a terrible end.
5. Christians should remain calm and trust God even in danger, as Peter slept peacefully in prison.