The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-02-04
The Apostles
Imprisoned
Sunday School Lesson for Feb. IA, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

TIME.-Immediateiy after the last les
son. The exact date is unknown, but be-
tween A. ID. 30 and 80.
PLACE.-Jerusalem; the preaching was
In one OF the porticos OF the outer court
of the temple The trial was I'm -4he hall
OF the sanhedrm. on the temple hill 'be-
tween the portico and the temple.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
After the experience Of the apostles
with Ananias tour last lesson), there
was such an Increase in the numbers
and influence of the church, so many
good deeds were wrought, so many OF
the sick were healed. so widely pre-
vailed the new teaching. that the
whole community was stirred, and
even the rulers felt the power and the
danger to their position and influence.
Their reasons for opposing the Cos
pei were all reasons why they should
have favored IT, /. The lessening OF
their influence and the loss On prestige
was what ought TO take place when
the rulers ruled for themselves and
not for the people.
2. The teaching they opposed was
the very salvation Of the nation.
g. The apostles "6lled Jerusalem
with their teaching" Their success
brought Joy. salvation, peace. fresh
life TO great numbers.
T. The apostles and the church were
bringing healing 10 the people. lessen.
ing suffering. giving 10 the poor. re-
duclng crime and vice. giving reality
90 the angels song OF Peace, Good
VIII to Men," they were doing what
every good ruler seoks 10 have done
for his people.
V. 10. But the Or. v. AM. angel
OF the Lord" One OF the vministering
spirits sent forth 10 minister for
them who shall be heirs OF salvation"
Hob I'D. in this Book OF the Acts
the word angel occurs 90 times"
THE mlnlotry OF angels" Il believe
that angels wait on us as truly as ever
they waited on Abraham. or Jacob. or
Moses. or Elijah. or Mary. or Jesus
himself The medieval painters were
fond OF filling the background OF the
infancy with countless angels; the rep
resentation. though literally false. was
morally true. | believe that angels are
encamping around them that fear the
Lord George Dana Boardman. ID. ID
Opened the prison doors" Silently.
without the knowledge OF the guards
(v. 23). who were asleep or had re
Taxed their vigilance being confident
of the strength OF their prison
Reasons for this Intervention. I. Tho
apostles and the church were still in
training for greater battles and harder
work Hence by this deliverance they
were taught faith in God. and courage.
and assurance that their bold. defiant
course was approved by God
2. II was a great advantage 20 the
cause. as they went ON preaching the
gospel. impressing the people that II
was Gods cause, and the apostles we're
his messengers. speaking his truth.
3. II was a direct refutation OF the
Sadducees' doctrine blow at their
position.
T. Il tended 20 impress the minds
OF the enemies OF the apostles with
respect for them as under Gods spe-
cial protection, and probebiy suggest
ed 20 Gamaliel ". 34-S9), his fear that
by opposing the apostles the rulers
might be opposing God himself
8. Hence. II Influenced the result
OF the trial. and made the escape from
prison n type OF their greater deliver.
ance from tho power and wicked de
sires OF the rulers.
V. p. THE apostles obeyed. and on.
tered the temple early in the morn
ing" II. ". about daybreak." as soon
as the gates were opened. Called the
council" "the sanhcdrim." together.
and" better even" "all the senate"
Peters argument Critics have no
ticed the structure OF Peters brief de.
Tense as one OF the finest specimens
of pleading on record. clear. direct.
true. personal. an argument without a
flaw. or course onl. the barest out.
lines are given in this report See
Peters previous address.
The charges against the apostles. C)
Disobedlence TO and defiance OF the
national and lawful authorities. (2)
Hence dlsloyalty. almost treason. 10
their country. (3) Charges TO them
seemingly slanderous. against their
rulers. that they themselves were dis.
obeying their God in whose name they
ruled. These charges were not mere
Iy serious. but. 90 a Palestinian Jew,
overwhelming.
The boldness and courage OF the
apostles was very great.
Threefold Victory of the Apostles.
First. The arraignment Of the apostles
gave them an opportunity TO preach
.he Gospel faithfully to the rulers. who
could not easily be reached in any 9th.
er way.
Second They were released from
their bonds. and were free to continue
their work with all the more power
because OF the outcome OF the efforts
20 put a stop to II.
Third. They themselves received
new inspiration OF power They re-
joiced in their sufferings for Jesus
sake. and in public and in private, in
the temple courts. and from house tn
house. they preached that Jesus was
the expected Messiah.
The attractiveness and persuasive
mower OF the APOSTLES and the early