Acts 12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
This moment belongs to Herod's persecution of the church, when after having James the brother of John killed because it pleased the Jews, he cast Peter into prison intending to put him to death. God sent a mighty angel to rescue Peter as an act of care for the true and faithful, because Peter as His chosen messenger still had work to do for Him. In this the angel took the prey from the enemy who had determined to destroy him.
At the presence of the mighty angel the prison doors opened and Peter's bands were loosed, and the angel opened the gates and set him free. The angel awakened him with a touch amid bright light, and Peter was amazed and thought he saw a vision. He was so astonished that he thought not of his garments until told to gird himself and put on his sandals.
Peter then returned to the believers gathered in earnest prayer in his behalf, motioned with his hand for quiet while he declared how the Lord had brought him out of prison, and afterward departed and went into another place. His deliverance rescued him from Herod in answer to their earnest prayers and filled them with joy and praise. Yet they had expected he would suffer death, and were astonished when they heard his voice at the gate.
The Lord's bringing of Peter out in this way shows that instruction is often given to men through powerful immortal messengers sent as helpers. The full account of the imprisonment and deliverance, when read in an impressive manner and slowly and solemnly, passes vividly before hearers and makes a deep impression that is never forgotten. It remains vivid in the minds of children and youth for a lifetime. The narrative is to be used to teach children and youth how to read and understand the Scriptures, leading them from truth to truth ever higher as Scripture interprets Scripture, with this educating power holding thoughts in captivity to Christ.