Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

Acts 20:1-16
He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. 
But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.
Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
2 Corinthians fills in some of the details on Paul's return to Greece, so briefly covered in 20:1-6.
The apostle is preoccupied with collection for the poverty-stricken Christian in Jerusalem. His mission to the Gentiles has been much criticized by the Jews. This is his great gesture - a practical expression of the unity of Jew and Gentile in the church of Christ. It is supremely important to him - hence his determination to get to Jerusalem.
Before he left Ephesus. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. From Macedonia he wrote 2 Corinthians. From Corinth he wrote the letter to the Romans. It is likely he also visited present-day Albania and Yugoslavia at this time.
Why?
Paul traveled many places for he was caring the Christians in these a few churches. Love them and teaching them with all he can.
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas is another miracle to people in Troas. Encourage people there.
Paul was hurry to preach gospel to the people in his journey.
How?
How can I stay and speak nothing, but preach the word of God to whom I met and do a good witness to people around me everyday.

Name of the Lord Jesus bw held in high honor

Acts 19:13-41
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 
When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus,they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
So effective is Paul's ministry in communicating the message that 'gods made with hands are not gods at all that it cuts the takings of the silversmiths making images of the city's famous goddess, Artemis. They stir the whole place to uproar, dragging Paul's companions to the treat theater, and chanting slogans. After two hours of this, the town clerk manages to calm them down. Like Gallio at Corinth he declares the Christians innocent.
Why?
Jesus Christ is known to the demon, so people in Ephesus were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. We should held name of Jesus in highest honor.
Holy Spirit comes may open heart of people and confess what they had done.
Not only our effort and faith to the Lord, working with Holy Spirit may work beyond man's capability.
Yes, when people turn to Jesus Christ, the silversmiths will have not job. But it brings more blessing to whole city.
How?
Held name of the Lord Jesus in high honor is our mission and working with God!

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul

Acts 19:1-12
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied.  There were about twelve men in all.
But some of thembecame obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asiaheard the word of the Lord.
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.
If Paul could win the people of Ephesus to the Christian faith the news would spread through the whole province of Asia. Verse10 indicates that this is just what happened. It is likely that all seven churches mentioned in Revelation 1:11, as well as those  at Colossae and Hierapolis, were founded during this period.
Why?
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Jesus Christ's baptism is the Holy Spirit. So their life were changed from their heart.
When meet obstinate people and refused to believe, then left them. This is the strategy to preaching gospel.
Paul did many wonders and healed the sicks, all of these is God did it through Paul, so give praise to the Lord, we are his servant.
How?
May I could like Paul to be good tool of the Lord, serve the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength.

I will come back if it is God’s will

Acts 18:18-28
When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”
Apollos, he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
A lot of travelling is packed into this short passage. Paul goes by sea from Corinth via Ephesus to Jerusalem and Antioch. He then returns to Ephesus by road through Phrygia and Galatia for a further missionary campaign.
Cenchreae was the port for sailing east from Corinth. 'Jews made vows to God either in thankfulness for past blessing or as part of a petition for future blessings. Under a Nazirite vow, hair was cut only when the vow came to and end and a sacrifice was offered.
Why?
Do not promise to the future, actually I will ... if it is God's will. Humble before the Lord.
If someone does not clear to the Jesus Christ we should explained to him the way of God more adequately like Priscilla and Aquila did to Apollos. Not only teaching but also encourage him.
So it may build a good servant of the Lord to help to those who by grace had believed.
How?
Be humble, for I am under the authority, my future is under God's promise.

Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it

Acts 18:1-17
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
Paul probably arrived in Corinth in AD 50, when Gallio was proconsul. He was joined there by Timothy and Silas.
Most of the Jews oppose the new teaching, though the president of the synagogue is convinced and Paul continues teaching for 18 months. When angry Jews take him to court, proconsul Gallio is swift to judge that Paul has committed no crime, and hustles them away. His decision is an important one for the Christian faith.
Why?
In Corinth there were God's word and God's people, but there were many Jews opposed Paul's teaching.
God gave word to Paul in vision at night, Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, doe not be silent. For I am with you. This encouraged Paul stayed in Corinth about 19 months.  And there gave Christian faith after the judgment of Gallio.
Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it, it is the attitude to the men who oppose the Lord.
How?
God's word and God's plan is not change and modify, for the authority of the Lord we are his servant.

Now he commands all people everywhere to repent

Acts 17:16-34
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
“People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.
Paul was a strategist. He campaigned in the great cities of the Roman world. He selected center on trade-route, sea-ports, places where there was Mich coming and going. From these center the message would run like fire far and wide. He started with Roman Asia, moved on to Greece, then set his sights on Rome, and Spain beyond.
So he comes to Athens, a city with 1000 years of history, glorying in past greatness: Athens, the originator of democracy, home of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides. Thucydides, Socrates, Plato; the greatest university of the world, center of philosophy, literature, science and art.
In the synagogues Paul argues his case from the Jewish scriptures. Addressing the Greek philosophers in Athens he takes his cue from a local inscription and quotes from their own writers. The message, that they must repent and believe in Jesus, whom God has raised from the dead does not change, but a different audience calls for a different presentation. Athens proves hard ground for the gospel.
Why?
Paul saw detail of the city in and explain gospel from what he saw in the environment.
The unknown god they did not know so Paul tell them what is the unknown God, who is the Lord of the world and heaven.
Now he commands all people everywhere to repent is the way to know this great God.
Jesus Christ raise from the dead, and He will come again on a day to judge the world with justice.
How?
Preach gospel to the world with all I can and make witness of the Lord in my life.

Reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah

Acts 17:1-15
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.
But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
Paul and Silas travel the great Roman highway, the Egnatian Way, from Philippi to Thessalonica. The response to Paul in this sea-port, the capital city of Macedonia, was no mere flash in the pan. The Jews were 'jealous' because here as elsewhere Paul won over the 'devout Greeks', those already attracted to Judaism - the very people they themselves hoped to win as converts.
In Beroea, 100km to the west, the Jewish group is notable for their open-minded study of the scriptures, Jews. Greek women and mend respond. But troublemakers from Thessalonica ensure that Paul moves on again, escorted by believers to Athens ahead of Timothy and Silas.
Why?
Paul was on the way to preach gospel to Jews, Greeks and others. His mission is keeping going and many noble men and women joined him and turn to Jesus Christ. But some jealous Jews came as troublemakers.
Troublemaker can make trouble to the missionary, but they can't stop the gospel and the Holy Spirit.
Jealous may turn and distort the truth.
How?
Preach gospel is hard work but for this is the mission of the Lord gives us, so we should obey and follow it. Even it takes me time and effort, but there are much grace poured on me from God. This is my joy and obligation.

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.

Acts 16:16-40
She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.”
When Paul frees a slave-girl whose psychic powers earn her owners easy money, trouble quickly follows. Phillipp was a Roman colony and the owners clamor for their rights as Roman citizens. Paul the Jew has the same rights, but no one knows that.
The arrest of Paul and Silas is followed by the dramatic conversion of their jailer prison doors and parts the prisoners' chains.
Offered release next day, Paul will not accept until he has an official apology for the illegal bearing of a Roman citizen. When he does move on, Luke remains behind.
Why?
The spirit said the right things that Paul and Silas are servant of the Mighty God. They are telling the way to be saved.
Under worse circumstance Paul and Silas sing the praise song to the Lord, suddenly miracle was happen, they were free. But they did not escape away.
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-- you and your household. It is truth, but sometimes it needs time to praying and walking on the right way has good witness of love to lead family turn to the Lord.
To be a Christan not only love others, but we have our own right to be respected. Like Paul be released but they need officials apology.
How?
To be servant of the Lord, wonder are coming with us to witness Jesus Christ is our savior.

After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready at once to leave for Macedonia

Acts 16:1-15
Timothy joins Paul and Silas, they traveled from town to town, delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey, So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
Paul's vision of the man of Macedonia.
When they traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready at once to leave for Macedonia.
Lydus' conversion in Philippi.
The decision to circumcise Timothy was taken in order to regularize his position as a Jew, not in order to secure his salvation. Pail had a special affection for his loyal, though timid, companion and successor. He came to regard his almost as his own son.
At Troas, close to ancient Troy. Luke joins the party for the first time, and Paul receives his call to cross to Europe. It is tempting to think that Luke was the man in Paul's dream.
In each place he visited, Paul normally went first to the synagogue. At Philippi there was simply a group of women, meeting for prayer. So the church at Philippi, whose loving, faithful support and unfailing concern would bring Paul such joy begins with the response of Lydia, a local businesswoman.
Why?
A man with mission have to abandon one and choose another one. We can't choose both. We have to take responsibility to our decision and our life. If there is not vision, can do what you want.
Jesus said your time is easy we may go anywhere at anytime.（ 約7:6 耶穌就對他們說：我的時候還沒有到；你們的時候常是方便的） John7:6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
How to know the way of the Lord?
1. Based on the knowledge, wisdom and our collected information, to pray and ask the Lord and analysis to make conclusion.
2. Put it prayer for a period time, one month, waiting for God's leading or God's word, then follow it step by step.
Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, sometime we need to wait and see to check how the Holy Spirit shows to us.
How?
Listen and waiting and pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit give me the way.

Taught and preached the word of the Lord

Acts 15:22-41
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brother. With them they sent the letter.
The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
This chapter is a turning-point in Acts. The center now shifts away from Jerusalem and the apostles, with the emphasis on the mission to the Gentiles and the new churches.
A 'sharp argument' about John Mark results in two missionary campaigns instead of one. Barnabas, the 'encourager', no doubt helped his young nephew to make the grade and eventually win Paul's approval.
Barnabas and Mark return to Cyprus. Paul takes Silas and revisits the mainland cities of the first campaign.
Why?
When the meeting made decision so they wrote letter and sent Paul, Barnabas and two brothers with blessing of God from apostles to church of Gentiles.
Barnabas is a encourager, to helped his young nephew Mark to make the grade and eventually win Paul's approval. So encourage the weaker is our love and mission to every Christian.
The letter from Jerusalem encouraged church in Antioch and other places.
Taught and preached the word of the Lord is the job to every Christian either like Paul and Barnabas.
How?
Love others and encourage frustrated weaker, help them to stand up through word of God.

We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are

Acts 15:1-21
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”  After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. ... It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
Ten years or more have passed since the apostles approved the admission of Cornelius' Gentile household to the church, and opposition has hardened. When reports of Paul's successes among the Gentiles reach the salvation-by-faith and circumcision party they see the red light and openly oppose his teaching.
On such a vital matter, an authoritative decision by the apostles and elders is essential to avoid a complete split. Peter's reminder of the earlier events and the account given by Paul and Barnabas of God's work among the Gentiles, carry the day.
Final summing-up and verdict given by James, the Lord's brother and leader of the Jerusalem church, finds general acceptance, The Gentiles are asked simply to accommodate the Jewish Christians by respecting Jewish food-laws, so that Jews and Gentiles can share the same table and the church meet together as one.
Why?
There were dispute among Paul and apostle and some Jews obeyed the law of Moses. But after the talk of Peter and James, there is agreement that we can not oppose the mind of the Lord. God knows heart of everyone. We could be saved through faith.
We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. This is the grace of our Lord Jesus, and is good news to everyone who trust in his Holy Name.
How?
Good news from Jesus Christ is to everyone who turn to Jesus with faith.

Opened a door of faith to the Gentiles

Acts 14:19-28
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. ( Barnabas adrained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected.)
From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Driven out of Antioch, they go to Iconium, where the pattern is repeated.
Following an attempted stoning , they escape to Lystra, where the healing of a cripple leads the people to acclaim Barnabas as Zeus(Chief god of the Greeks)  and Paul as Hermes(the messenger-god), despite their protests. 
Further trouble from the Jews of Antioch takes them on to Derbe, the furthest point of this first mission, where the response is good. Returning by the same route they encourage  the new believers, appointing leaders for each church.
Why?
Even danger and Jews opposed Paul and Barnabas they were keep going on and preached God's messages. They successfully completed the mission to Gentiles.
Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith is a leader of Christian have to do.
Paul and Barnabas make a rule of church to appointed elders at each church and prayer, fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. This is the management system of church.
How?
Keep preaching gospel to Gentile and unbelievers. This is the mission to every Christian from the Lord.

Turn from these worthless things to the living God

Acts 14:1-18
Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there , speaking boldly for the Lord who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were decided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
In Lystra, when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”  Healed the man who was lame.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God.
Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
Driven out of Antioch, they go to Iconium, where the pattern is repeated.
Following an attempted stoning, they escape to Lystra, where the healing of cripple leads the people to acclaim Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermès, despite their protests.
Why?
Under argument and worse circumstances Paul and Barnabas were boldly speaking for the Lord and spent considerable time there. This is the faith to the Lord and devoted themselves to the word of the Lord, it is missionary.
Even we did wonders seems we did it, but we knew that it is the work of Holy Spirit though our hands. So give honor to the Lord, turn the focus of people from man to the Lord.
Crowd is easy fall into the custom and their original habit. So they were difficulty keeping from sacrificing to Paul and Barnabas.
How?
Turn from these worthless things to the living God and give honor the Lord.

I have made you a light for the Gentiles

Acts 13:32-52
What God promised our father he has fulfilled for us, their children by raising up Jesus.
You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.
You will not let your Holy one see decay.
For when David has served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.
I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Paul’s first reported sermon, at Antioch in Pisidia, is given to a mixed audience of Jews, Gentile converts and sympathizers. A brief resume of Jewish history is given to show that Jesus is God’s promised Savior. Opposition from the Jews sends Paul and Barbara’s to the Gentiles.
Why?
Paul has study the word of the Lord and fully understood the Jesus was promised on God has given to Jews and Gentile.
All of the talk in prophets about Jesus Christ were collected by Paul and talk to audience,
Not only Jews but also the light for the Gentiles, this is the gospel to Gentile announced by Paul.
God’s word has been fulfilled for us, for God loves us.
How?
Give honor to the Lord and follow God’s word. Humble myself to be God’s servant.

Amazed at the teaching about the Lord through Paul and Banabas

Acts 13:1-31
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked straight at Elymas and said...
Immediately mist and darkness came over Elymas, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.  After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.They are now his witnesses to our people.
From this point on in Acts, Paul is the central figure. The church at Antioch, directed by the Holy Spirit, selects its best men for pioneer work.
Barnabas and Saul, with young John Mark to help them, go first to Cyprus: Manabas' native island, where they confound magician Elymas and make a notable convert, the proconsul Sergius Paulus. Saul adapts the Roman version of his own name: Paul. From now on it is 'Paul and company', as he takes the lead.
They have barely begun their mainland journey when at Perga. John Mark returns home.
Why?
It is the Holy Spirit sent Banabar and Saul go our to preach gospel. So they placed their hand on them and send them off.
Paul has Holy Spirit with him so the power of God is with him, in his word, Paul has notable convert. For  proconsul  was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
The leaders of the synagogue invited Paul to speak, how apostles witnesses among Jewish.
How?
Understand and follow the leading of Holy Spirit, God's work will be done in His way.

This is the voice of a god, not of a man

Acts 12:12-25
But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
On the appointed day Heros, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of  a god, not of a man."
Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, and angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
But the word of God continued to increase and spread.
When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
The Jewish historian. Josephus, also describes the king's sudden death in AD 44. Luke sees it as a direct consequence of Herod's self-aggrandisement(自我擴張) and disrespect for God.
Why?
Peter's story everyone was astonished for this is the work of God. Beyond the imagination of man.
This is the voice of a god , not of a man. We spoke in church should be the voice of God, instead of a man. Herod did not give praise to God so the Lord struck him down.
The word of God continued to increase and spread. No one can stop the work of the Lord.
How?
Speak the word of the Lord and listen to the voice of the Lord, instead of a man.

Without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and the Jewish people

Acts 12:1-11
King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.
While Paul and Barnabas are in Jerusalem, handing over Antioch's donation for the famine relief. King Herod instigates a new wave of persecution. James, one of the three apostles closest to Jesus, dies. But Peter is rescued, even as the Christians gather to pray. A maximum security prison presents no problems to God! And there is more for Peter to do.
Why?
King Herod in order meet the Jews to kill Jacob and try to kill Peter so seize Peter.
Church earnestly praying to God for Peter, this is their only way can do.
Miracle happened that God sent angel come to save Peter out from prison. Peter thought he was seeing a vision. But it is truth.
God did not rescue Jacob, but rescue Peter, there is the plan of the Lord, depends on the mission of everyone God has decided.
God is the Lord, we are the servant, God can make everything possible in his way.
Give praise to the Lord!
How?
The Lord is the truth God! No one can compare with Him. Give thanks and praise to the Lord Almighty.