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The Unstoppable Word of God - Acts 12 — 12/4/2024 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Billy Marsh, Director of MDiv Programs and Associate Professor of Theology at Cedarville University. Dr. Marsh declares that neither evil opposition, nor human limitation, will stop the Word of God from accomplishing the saving plan of God in its spread to the ends of the earth. His text is Acts 12. This message is part of the series entitled "Acts: The Advance of The Gospel".
Notes
The Unstoppable Word of God: A Reflection on Acts 12
In a world filled with opposition, uncertainty, and challenges, we often wonder: Can God’s plan truly prevail? Acts 12 offers a powerful reminder that the Word of God is unstoppable and that no human limitation or external opposition can hinder the advancement of His saving plan. This chapter shows us that even in the darkest times, God’s Word continues to spread, transforming lives and fulfilling His promises.
The Word of God and the Church
The Church does not create the Word — the Church is born through the Word of God. In Acts 6:7, we see that the Word of God "increased and multiplied," and this increase is directly tied to the growth of the Church. As the Word of God spreads, so does the Church. This highlights the reality that the Word creates Christians, and the Church flourishes because it is grounded in the Word.
However, the early Church faced significant opposition. Herod’s persecution led to the arrest of Peter and the martyrdom of James, yet this opposition did not stop the spread of the Gospel. The Church knew that suffering and persecution were inevitable, but they remained faithful, trusting that the Word of God would continue its work despite human limitations.
Peter’s Rescue: A Picture of God’s Mercy
In Acts 12, we see the miraculous rescue of Peter from prison. Peter had been arrested during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and he was heavily guarded with no way out. Yet God intervened. An angel struck Peter in the side, waking him from sleep and leading him out of prison. This is not just a story of Peter’s deliverance; it’s a story of God’s mercy.
Peter’s escape was not by his own efforts; it was entirely by God's mercy. He went from death to life, from captivity to freedom, by the power of God alone. This moment mirrors Exodus, where God led the Israelites out of Egypt during the night, with divine intervention marking their release. The angel’s striking of Peter is a direct parallel to the way God struck down Pharaoh and his forces in Exodus. Peter’s release at night, in haste, serves as a reminder that God is at work even in our darkest moments.
The Unstoppable Word
Despite persecution, the Word of God cannot be stopped. Acts 1:8 tells us that the Gospel will spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, and in Acts 12, we see that God’s plan is on track. Even as Herod attempts to extinguish the Church, the Word continues to spread, and more lives are transformed.
This is not a call to fatalism but a summons to faith. The Gospel will advance, no matter the obstacles. We may face opposition, doubt, or persecution, but we are called to trust in the promises of God. The Word of God will do what it says, and the Gospel will continue to spread until it reaches every nation and tribe.
Acts 12 is a powerful reminder that no matter the opposition, God's Word is unstoppable. We can trust in His promises, knowing that His plan will not fail. Let's boldly proclaim the Gospel, live by faith, and watch as God's Word continues to increase and multiply for His glory.