Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-13
The Apostles
imprisoned
SEndsy School Lesson fer Feb. IA, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

zlEl'E,sHssusS
LESSON TEXT Acts 5l7-a2 Memory
verses 10 20
GOLDEN TEXT Blessed are they
which are prosecuted for righteousness
sake for theirs is the kingdom Of heaven.
Matt $40
TIME Immediately after the last les
son. The exact date fs unknown bat be-
tween a. j. o and 81
PLACE.-Jcgusalem the preaching was
tn one az the porucos Of the outer court
or Tho temple. The trial was in the hall
oi the sanhcdrim, on che temple hiu 'hc-
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 Ff
their influence and the loss OF prestige
was what ought 90 take place when
tho rulers ruled for themselves and
not for the people
3. The teaching they opposed was
The very salvation Of the nation.
3. The apostles called Jerusalem
with their teaching" Their success
brought joy salvation. peace. fresh
life 20 great numbers
4. The apostles and the church were
bringing healing 20 the people. lessen.
ing suffering. giving TO the poor. re-
ducing crime and vice. giving reality
20 The angels song OF Peace. Good
VIII 70 Men" they were doing what
every good ruler seeks 20 have done
for his people
V. 10. but the CR. V. AM. angel
Of the Lord" One OF the "ministcring
spirits sent forth 10 minister for
them who shall De heirs OF salvation q"
tHoo. l;l4). In this Book Of the Acts
the word angel occurs 90 times"
The ministry 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. "-Goorge Dana Boardman. ID. ID
Opened the prison doors" Silently.
without the knowledge OF the guards
tv. 23). who were asleep or had re-
Taxed their vigilance. being confident
OF the strength OF their prison.
Reasons for this intervention. J. The
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. 10 was a great advantage 70 the
cause, as they went on preaching the
gospel impressing the people that IL
was Gods cause and the apostles we're
his messengers. speaking his truth.
3. II was a direct refutation Of the
Sadducees' doctrine. a blow at their
position.
4. IL tended % impress the minds
81 the enemies Of the apostles with
respect for them as under Gods spe-
cial protection, and probably suggest
ed TO Gamaliel ~ 34-39). his fear that
by. opposing the apostles the rulers
might be opposing God himself.
s. Hence. IL Influenced The result
OF the trial. and made the escape from
prison q type OF their greater deliver
ance from the power and wicked de-
sires OF the rulers.
V. 2l The apostles obeyed. and en-
tered the temple early in the morn
ing" r. v. about daybreak." as soon
As the gates were opened. Called the
council" the sanhedrim." 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 snecimens
OF pleading on record. clear. direct.
true, personal. an argument without a |
flaw. or course only the barest out
Zines are given in this report See J
Peters previous address.
The charges against the apostles. On |
Osobedience 10 and defiance OF the |
national nd lawful authorities (2)
Hence disloyalty, almost treason. to
their country. go 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. 70 a Palestinian Jew.
overwhelming.
The holiness 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 !
the Gospel faithfully TO the rulers. who
could not easily be reached in any 9th. |
OF 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 stop to H.
Third. They themselves received a
new Inspiration OF power. They re-
Boiced in their sufrerings for Jesus
sake, and In public and In private. in
the temple courts. and from house 10
house they preached that Jesus was
the expected Messiah
The attractiveness and persuasive