Acts 12:21-25
 
Acts 12:21 (KJB)
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
 
The people on both sides had probably been very happy that a settlement had been reached in the dispute and Herod was probably going to make an announcement concerning the fact that peace would still be in force between the two provinces. So in typical politician style, he had donned his royal robes and sat upon his throne as any king would and then proceeded to make a speech to his constituents.
 
Acts 12:22 (KJB)
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
 
The people of Tyre and Sidon had adopted the Greek language and they also adopted the idolatry which came with it. They had believed in the full pantheon of the gods of Athens. This is why they yelled that it was the voice of a god. This also happened to Paul when the people of Lystra called him Mercurius because he was the chief speaker. (Acts 14:12 KJV) And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. The difference was that Paul did not accept that and he told them about the true God.
 
Acts 12:23 (KJB)
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
 
Since Herod did not reject that “god” comment, he was struck by God for accepting it. He was instantly killed and was eaten by worms which must have been some site. It is a good reminder that we must never accept for ourselves the glory which is to be given to God. This is the problem with too many media preachers and mega-church pastors. They think it is all about them and their ministry. They become the central figure. Read my study called “The Herod Principle” at:  www.scionofzion.com/herod_principle.htm
 
Acts 12:24 (KJB)
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
 
Despite what happens in politics or whatever political environment Christians live in, God can and does grow His word and that is within Christians, and within the church and then it continues to go forth as it spreads throughout the whole world. There is not one government in this present time or in past times which had the ability to stop the spread of the Gospel. God’s word continues to grow until the last day. The Gospel was beginning to penetrate all provinces in the Roman Empire, even in the palace of Caesar there was Gospel testimony. (Phil 4:22 KJV) All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
 
Acts 12:25 (KJB)
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
 
Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission by bringing the relief money to the church at Jerusalem and when they were done, they had returned to Antioch. While they were at Jerusalem, they had taken with them John Mark who they probably saw in him the desire for ministry. In those days there were no schools of training, instead if anyone was interested in ministry, they would become an apprentice to one who was already established in the ministry. This was done for many years in churches. When a man believed he had the pastoral calling, he would become the apprentice of an established pastor and he would teach him and evaluate him to see if he really does have a calling. Today there is no apprentice program, all you need is to attend seminary and the only requirement to get into most seminaries is a checkbook, and we wonder why our churches are in the shape they are in.

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