Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-02-11
The Apostles
Imprisoned
LESSON TExT.-Acts 5:l7-32. Memory
Specially Arranged for This Paper

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Matt. $40.
IME.-Immediately after the last les
son. The exact date is unknown, but be-
tween A. D.. 80 and 33.
PLACE -Jcrusalem; the preaching was
In one Of the porticos OF the outer court
Of the temple. The trial was in the hall
OF the sanhedrim. on the temple hill be
tween the portico and the temple.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
After tho experience OF the apostles
with Ananlas (our last lesson). there
was such an increase in the numbers
and influence Of the church, 80 many
good deeds were wrought. 30 many OF
the sick were healed, 30 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 OF prestige
was what ought to take place when
the rulers ruled for themselves and
o for the people.
2. The teaching they opposed was
the very salvation Of the nation.
3. The apostles filled Jerusalem
with their teaching" Their success
brought Joy, salvation. peace, fresh
life to great numbers.
4. The apostles and the church were
bringing healing to the people, lessen
ing suffering, giving to the poor, re-
ducing crime and vice, giving reality
to the angels song OF peace. Good
VIII to Men," they were doing what
every good ruler seeks to have done
for his people.
v. 10. "But the Or. ", "an"), angel
Of the Lord" II OF the "mlnistering
spirits sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of salvation"
(Heb. 1:l4). I'm this Book of the Acts
the word angel occurs 20 times"
1.-THE ministry of angels" 81 believe
that angels wait on us as truly as aver
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
iioiolIy u J ] 'IIht oIIb'IS III
encamping around them that fcar the
Lord."-George Dana Boardman, ID, d..
Opened the prison doors" Silently,
without the knowledge of the guards
". 23), who were asleep or had re.
Taxed their vigilance. being confident
of the strength OF their prison.
Reasons for this intervention. ]. 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. 1t was a great advantage to the
cause, as they went on preaching the
gospel. impressing the people that It
was Gods cause. and the apostles were
his messengers, speaking his truth.
3. 1t was a direct %refutation OF the
S%adducees' doctrine, Il blow at their
position.
4. It tended to impress the minds
Of the enemies OF the apostles with
respect for them as under Gods spe.
cial protection. and probably suggest.
ed to Gamaliel ". 34.33). his fear that
by opposing the apostles the rulers
might be opposing God himself.
g.. Hence, 1t influenced the result
of the trial. and made the escape from
prison a type OF their greater deliver.
ance from the power and wicked de.
sires OF the rulers.
V. II. THE apostles obeyed, and en-.
tered the temple early in the morn
Ing" Il. ", about daybrcak," as soon
AZ the gates were opened. called the
council" "the sanhedrim," together,
and" better even" "all the senate. u
Peters argument. Critics have no
ticed the structure OF Peters brief de
Tense az n Of the finest specimens
OF pleading on record, clear, direct
true, personal. an argument without a
flaw. or course only he barest out
lines are given in this report. See
Peters previous address.
The charges against the apostles. a
Disobedience to and defiance OF the
national and lawful authorities. (2)
Hence ~disloyalty. almost treason, tc
their country. CD Charges to them
seemingly %slanderous. against theil
rulers, that they themselves were dis
obeying their God In whose name they
ruled. These charges were not mere
~ serious. but, to a Palestinian Jew
overwhelming.
The holiness and courage OF thu
apostles was very great.
Threefold Victory of the Apostles
First. The a%rraIgnment OF the apostle,
rave them an OppOrtunity IN nreact