Overview
Herod Agrippa I, king of Judea, initiated severe persecution against the Jerusalem church around AD 44. He executed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter with the intention to bring him to trial. This persecution revealed both the church's vulnerability to earthly powers and God's faithfulness to protect His servants.
Key Scriptures
"Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword." (Acts 12:1-2, NASB)
"And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter as well. Now it was during the Feast of Unleavened Bread." (Acts 12:3, NASB)
"But Peter was kept in the prison, while prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God." (Acts 12:5, NASB)
Application
When facing opposition for faith, remember that persistent prayer and trust in God's sovereignty, not human power, determines the outcome of our circumstances.