In the previous lesson we saw God change Peter's prejudice toward Gentiles through his encounter with Cornelius. Now, the explosive growth of the church, even among Gentiles, brings fierce opposition from King Herod Agrippa I, who begins to arrest some who belonged to the church (12:1). This Herod is the brother of Herodias (wife of Herod Antipas), who was responsible for having John the Baptist beheaded (Mk 6:17-28). Herod Agrippa is also the grandson of Herod the Great, who reigned over Judea at the time of Christ's birth. In an attempt to kill the baby Jesus, Herod the Great ordered all boys, two years of age and younger, in Bethlehem and its vicinity to be killed (Mt 2:1-18). Herod Agrippa was part Jewish and had a good relationship with the Jews. However, now that the chief persecutor of the church, Saul, has converted to the other side, Herod takes Saul's place as persecutor of the church. To keep his good relationship with the Jews, what does Herod do, according to Acts 12:2?
