Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1897-02-11
14e SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for February 4. 1897
The Prison Opened-Acts 5:I7-32.


GOLDEN TEXT.-We ought to obey Cod
rather t-sn men.-Acts $40
THE SECTION includes the rest of the
chapter. beginning with review OF verses
u TO l6.
TI9IE.-Imrredlately after the last les
son. IRE exact date unknown. but be-
tween \. D. 81 and g.
EXPLANATORY
|. Opposition 10 the Gospel on the
Part of the Leaders.-V. II. Then the
high priest:" Annas, chap. 4:G, rose
up" not from his seat. but from his in
activity and indifference. "All they
that we're with HIM" His party. the
leaders of the Sadducees. Joseph states
that most OF the higher class in his day
we're skeptics or Sadducees. though the
mass of the people were Pharisees.
Were filled with indignation: rather
jealousy. What the historian is describ-
ing is an outbreak Of party feeling. The
whole influence of tie Sadducean party
is called forth by their antagonism TO
the doctrine of the resurrection and
their envy of the growth of the new
movement.
II. The Apostles Thrown into Prison.
". IS. And laid their hands on the
apostles" Arrested them in the hope of
putting an end to their work. Some
think that the whole - were arrested
". 29). Others include Peter e. 29) and
several others, but not the entire body.
III An Angel Brings Deliverance.-
Y. -. But" this is Divine but, which
deranges all their plans. The Or. V.
am angel of the Lord" One OF the min
istering spirits sent forth to minister
for them who shall be heirs of Saliva
ton. Opened the prison doors:"
Silently, without the knowledge of the
guards ". 22), who were asleep or had
relaxed their vigilance, being confident
of the strength of their prison.
". TheApostles atWork Again.-Vs.
20-21. 20. Go speak ii. the
temple:" There was to be no attempt
made to conceal their escape. They
were simply TO go about their duty, as if
nothing had happened. Speak
TO the people:" Who were hungering
for the words of this life" V. prints
Life with a capital L las Way with
capital W, Acts 1879, 23) TO show that
il was name for the Gospel. 1t was the
life that Jesus brought to earth. spirit
ual life, eternal life. here and hereafter.
V. Again Before the Council.-Vs. 21-
%. p. The council:" The Sanhedrim
and all the senate. That is, the whole
sanhedrim were present, including all
the elders who were members of it.
%. The keepers standing" etc:
They had taken every precaution, and
could see no way by which the prisoners
could escape.
"a. They doubted:" They were at
their wits end; they were perplexed
because they could see no way of stop
ping such men and such a cause. The
more they opposed. the more it grew.
&C. Without violence" The scene
recalls John 7:45. For they feared the
peoples" What a contrast with the
courage of the apostles! Goodness CON
verts ren into heroes; ungodliness,
into towards
%. I'VE straitly:" Strictly Eye have
filled Jerusalem with your doctrine:"
Noble testimony to the success of their
preaching. This mans blood" 1t
was plain that if Jesus was the Messiah,
the rulers had been traitors to their ma
ton. 1t was this charge that stirred
them so deeply.
VI. The Apostles Preach the Gospel
to the Rulers.-Vs. 29-32. Critics have
noticed the structure of Peters brief de-
Tense as one of the finest specimens of
pleading on record. 1t is proof that the
promise: 1T shall be given you in that
hour what ye shall speak," was amply
fulfilled
90 Then Peter The usual spokes-
man for all. He was the quickest to
frame the words that expressed the
thoughts of all. And the other apos-
ties standing by his side, praying that
God will give him the right words, in
dorsing what he says as their own.
1--WE ought to obey God rather than
mem" The same principle they had ut
tered on their former trial (4:19). Their
duty, conscience. God, the inalienabe
rights of men, approved of their con-
duct.
30. The God of our fathers:" Whom
the rulers professed to obey. The God
who had made the nation, who had
promised the Messiah Raised up"
Sent into the world He did all that was
needful for making Jesus the Messiah.
Thus the God whom the rulers acknowl-
edged as the true God was on the side
of the apostles Whom We slew" The
Greek word means slew with your own
hands" Peter tells them the simple
truth without passion, but also without
reserve. Hanged on a tree" On the
wood; crucifed. You. the leaders, ar
rayed yourselves against God, against
your own God.
81 Him hath God exalted" BY
raising Him from the dead, by the as
cension With His right hand;" In
dicating the power exerted and the Di-
vine favor. TO be a Prince" To whom
all Israel owes obedience. Before whom
every knee shall yet bow, whose king
dom shall extend over the whole world.
The humble cross has become the CEN
ter of the world: the despised one is the