Persecuted (Peter and John) vs pampered (Herod)a case study.

 Act 4:3  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 

 Here is something we need to consider. Peter and John were put in hold, that's detained, jailed, in prison etc. for the night, and why? Because they preached Jesus, The Risen Savior raised from the dead and the Sadducees did not like that.

So why do I say we must consider? for the next part when they get out of prison, admonished, rebuked and released.

Act 4:23  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 

Please notice they did not go home to sleep, or shower, or hide in grief, or have a pity party. No they went to church, to the church members to report the incident, to testify and to pray.

ok and what happens next?

They prayed but not for relief of the persecution, not for deliverance from the trials, no they prayed for boldness, that they might be a better witness.

Act 4:4  Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 

This is astounding as they just had 5000 men come to Christ, yet they wanted to be better witnesses! Most of us at 5 coming to Christ would be done, these men had 5,000 come to Christ and they prayed to be a better, more bold witness.

Fascinating.

Yet for a case study let's look at the other side.

Act 12:21  And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 

Act 12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 

Act 12:23  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. 

Herod living a life of ease and Luxury, king, every one attending to his every need and whim, dies because he did not, Could not give God the Glory.

What's even more interesting is that he had John the Baptist for his very own personal evangelist.

Herod had everything to gain and nothing to lose and he did not need God. He had one of the greatest evangelists ever preach to him, call him out on his sin and he knew not God. All the Glory and praise was too him.

This is very interesting, a set of people who have Christ and want the world to know Him, vs "royalty" who cares for nothing but himself. Which ones do you think had a better more fulfilled life?