Summer Devotional:
​No Other Name - A Devotional on the Book of Acts

Day 25 – July 1st, 2021
Read Acts 12:19b-25

Helpful Background
Herod is not a name; it is a title. Today’s equivalent might be something like our Governors. The position of Herod was an appointed position and to hold onto the position, Herod, even though he was Jewish, often acted more like a Roman leader than he did a member of the Jewish people.
 
Today’s passage speaks of a time Herod had gone to Caesarea. While he was there, a festival was given for the Roman Emperor Claudius Caesar and Herod went to the festival decked out in his finest clothing. Tradition says that his robes had silver thread woven throughout making it shine brilliantly and brightly. It was said to be so beautiful that all of the people shouted out that Herod must be a god and not just a man.  
 
It is not the first-time people had been called gods, in Acts 28 Paul would be bitten by a snake and everyone assumed he would die from the snake bite. But when he did not, the people began to assume he was a god. Paul had to go to great lengths to assure them he was just a man like all of us.
 
Herod, on the other hand, liked being called a god and did nothing to stop the crowds.  
 
Perhaps it is important for us to remember that our God does not share his name with others and especially not Herod who, growing up Jewish should have known better.  Herod died five days later.

Questions -When good things happen let’s remember to be more like Peter who credited God with getting him out of prison, and less like Herod who wanted to think of himself as God. It’s a lot safer that way.
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Grab your journal or use the notes section on your phone.
Respond to the Scripture reading with your thoughts, questions, and/or prayer response to today’s Bible verses.​

For more background information & study questions on the Book of Acts, check out Brian Ralston's handouts here.