Peter Escapes from Prison
After King Herod imprisons Peter intending to execute him, an angel miraculously frees him while the church prays earnestly for his deliverance.
King Herod stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church, killing James the brother of John with the sword. When he saw this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter during the days of unleavened bread, intending to bring him forth to the people after Easter. Herod delivered Peter to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, sixteen men in total taking turns, understanding the supernatural nature of the prisoner he held.
While Peter was kept in prison between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with keepers before the door, the church made prayer without ceasing unto God for him. The night before Herod would bring him forth, Peter slept between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Suddenly the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison. The angel smote Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, 'Arise up quickly.' His chains fell off from his hands.
The angel instructed Peter: 'Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals.' Peter did so. Then the angel said, 'Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.' Peter went out following the angel, thinking he was seeing a vision, not understanding that it was real. They passed the first and second ward, then came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened to them of its own accord. They went out and passed through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
When Peter came to himself, he declared, 'Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.' He came to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered together praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel named Rhoda came to hearken. Recognizing Peter's voice, she was so glad that she ran in without opening the gate, telling them Peter stood before the gate.
They said unto her, 'Thou art mad.' But she constantly affirmed it was so. Then they said, 'It is his angel.' But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. He beckoned unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, and told them to show these things unto James and the brethren. Then he departed and went to another place. When day came, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. Herod sought for him and found him not, examined the keepers, and commanded they should be put to death, showing that no earthly power could thwart God's purposes for His servant.