Acts 12:15

"You are out of your mind" Notice that they had been praying for Peter-but not for his release. The last person they expected to see at the door that night was Peter. Do we pray for too little? "It is ironical that the group who was praying fervently and persistently for Peter's deliverance should regard was mad the person who informed them that their prayers had been answered! Rhoda's simple joy shines brightly against the dark background for the church's incredulity" (Stott p. 211). "But she kept insisting that it was so" Good for her! "They kept saying, ‘It is his angel'" Note the Greek word here is the word for angel, it is not the word for ghost or spirit. Historians tell us that Jewish people of the time had. common belief that every Israelite had. guardian angel, and such an angel could assume the human word of the person he guarded. "The angel is here conceived of as. man's spiritual counterpart, capable of assuming his appearance and being mistaken for him" (Stott p. 211). Carefully observe that these Christians had held on to this old Jewish belief, even though there is no biblical evidence for it. The Holy Spirit is not endorsing this idea, rather He is simply recording what these people said (this text is not endorsing such an idea), and on this occasion, they were wrong. Peter was actually at the door!