As the church grows outside Israel, the church within Israel suffers under the hand of Herod. Herod has James, son of Zebedee and brother of John (writer of John and Revelation) killed by the sword and puts Peter in jail. Peter was asleep in jail (remember John 21!) when suddenly he is released by God’s mercy. He passes the guards and the gate opens itself (what!?!?) and he makes his way to John Mark’s mom’s house. The servant girl, Rhoda, is so excited that it is Peter, she doesn’t open the gate but runs inside excited. Peter eventually gets into the house after knocking a lot. Herod has the guards put to death and leaves Judea to return to Caesarea.

Herod dies and the church grows. I like that reality. Nothing stops God’s church from growing and spreading like wildfire.