The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-21
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
APRIL 20.
Lesson Text: Peter Delivered From
Prison." Acts xiii, Is, IL
Golden Text: Psalm xxxiv..
documentary,

3. "Peter was therefore kept in prison, but
prayer was made without ceasing Of the
church unto God for him." There Is no
doubt but that God could prevent the devil
from touching one OF his children, but such
Is not His way. When on earth, the Lord
Jesus said: ''In the world ye shall have
tribulation. Whosoever killeth you will
think that he doth God service (John xvi,
33, q. Prom the glory after His ascension
H. said, "The devil shall cast some OF you
have tribulation' (Rev. H., 10). But this
also we are perfectly sure OF, that nothing
can possibly come to a child OF God without
Gods permission (Job t.. 10, 12; Zech. H., 5.
8; Rom. viii, 28).
6. "Peter was sleeping between two SOL
diers, bound with two chains. and the keep
ers before the door kept the prison." The
enemy did his best to make sure Of his prey.
Two words in the Greek tell the story. OF
James (aneiie machaira) killed with
sword. For Peter, God had other work yet
to be accomplished and suffered him to be
placed In these circumstances that He might
show forth His power. In the hands Of the
authorities and under the constant guard OF
four soldiers, to two of whom he was
chained. the deliverauce seemed hopeless,
but the believers did all they could do and
cried instantly and earnestly to God
(margin).
Z. "And behold the angel of the Lord
came" Double guards, chains, bolted
doors and prison walls are nothing to one OF
those holy beings that excel in strength,
that do His commandments. hearkening
unto the voice of His word Cps. Gill;, 20).
From Heaven to earth as a fash Of light
ming. through storm or sunshine, they haste
to do His will and minister to His re-
deemed ones (Heb. L., IA; Eek. 1, A.; Acts
xvii. 20, 49,
8. "Cast thy garment about thee and fol.
low me-" Awakened by the angels touch,
Peter, loosed from his chains. arose from be-
tween the still sleeping soldiers and In the
light that shone In the prison girded himself
and bound on his sandals. There Is no
stealth. nor injunction to step lightly, nor
fear Of any kind, but the quietness and ma
jesty Of the power OF God.
8. "And he went out and followed him,
and wlst not that it was true which was
done by the angel: but thought he saw
vision" In deepest trials God sometimes
gives restful dreams or visions OF coming
blessings or deivernnces, as when to Jacob
In his sorrowful journey from home He re-
vealed Himself to him at the top OF the
wonderful ladder on which angels were
seen ascending and descending (Gen. xviii,
IL, 13). 1t seemed to Peter as II this were
some such vision.
10. "They came unto the iron gate that
leadeth unto the city, which opened to them
of his own accord. The angel needed no
open gates or doors for him to pass through,
but for Peter in a mortal body doors and
gates must open, End they did without any
touch from human hands. The same angelic
ministry attends US to-day, and all doors will
f1v open before US when our Lord desires It.
IL. "Now I know Of a surety that the Lord
hath sent His angel and hath delivered me
out ,of the hand of Herod." When Peter
found himself alone out on the street In the
night, he began to come to himself. There
were no chains upon him. no soldiers near
him, no walls around him, but Gods earth
beneath him, Gods sky over his head. and
perhaps the stars looking peacefully down
upon him. Then he began to realize that for
the second time (Acts ", 19) an angel had
brought him out of prison. No power can
hold those whom God wishes to set free.
12. "He came to the house OF Mary, the
mother of John. whose surname was Mark,
where many were gathered together pray.
whitt er to direct his steps, nor did the angel
need to tell him where to 90. Does God see
that when you are free from the duties OF
daily cares you will promptly 60 to where
they meet for prayer? (Acts w., 23.
IS. Sand as Peter knocked at the door OF
the gate, q damsel came to ask who was
there named Rhoda." Many women's names
which W. would like to know, such as the
mother OF David. are not found in Scripture.
Why should this girls name be hare, mas
much rs the Spirit does nothing without O
reason2 If any one has the answer, let US
hear it; II not, we can wait, and some day
we shall know.
IA. "And when she knew Peters voice she
opened not the gate for gladness, but ran In
and told how Peter stood before the gate.
Knowing Peters voice makes US think OF
John K, 27, "My sheep hear My voice, and
know them. and they follow Me-" Yet how
many hear His voice. but because they will
not open to Him He does not come In, and
they do not become His sheep. In this case
Joy caused Rhoda to lose her head, as we
say, and she left poor Peter outside the gate
while she ran in to tell.
Is. "And they said unto her, Thou art
mad. But she constantly affirmed that It
was even so. Then saidthey, tits his angel"
Yet they had been praying that, II possible,
he might be released from his enemies (yerSe
81. Would we BE- about as much surprised II
some OF our prayers were answered, or DO
we always pray and expect an answer
16. "But Peter continued knocking, and
when they haa opened the door and saw him
they were astonished." Peter was hound to
get in, and therefore kept knocking. That
Is the way to do, even as our Lord taught us
In Luke xi.. g. 8; xviii, l. "Ye shall seek
Me and find Me when ye search for Me with
all your heart" (Jer. xxx, 13). The fear OF
the Lord, the knowledge Of God and wisdom
will be obtained when we seek It as silver
and as men search for hidden treasure
prov. H., y. Would gratitude or astonish-
ment fill US If we had to-day the answer long
looked for?
II. "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." Stilling them-whieh per-
haps was no easy work-he declared unto
them the works Of God. 1t would be very
interesting 10 hear Peters version Of the
angels deliverance. Some day in the glory
he may 20 over it for US, but We have all the
facts of the case in our lesson. Peter was
simply obedient, and the Lord, by the
angel, did it all. Having heard, they were
to 80 and tell James, who seemed to be the
leader (chapter xv., 1S). and the others. This
was not james Of the favored three (verse
p, but James, son OF Alpheus Ouke vi, 15).
The great stir in the morning and the death
of the soldiers make US think Of the morn.
Ing of Daniels deliyerance and the death OF
his enemies, Lesson Helper.