The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-04-27
LESSON TExT-Acts i2:i.is

LESSON TExT-Acts Bib
GOLDEN TExT-The angel Of jehovah
encampeth round about them that fear
him, and deiivereth them.-Psalms A7
One day the sons OF Zebedee" de-
sired Jesus to grant a carte blanche
petition. Pressed further as to their
particular request. they petitioned for
the seats OF authority on the right
and left hand of Jesus In glory. In
reply Jesus said that such a petition
was not q proper one nor intelligent
ly asked. but according to their In
trepid assertions Of willingness they
should be baptized with his baptism
Of death MARX Io:35-45). and that
the greatest Of his followers should
be servant Of all Todays lesson Ia
. fulnllment OF that prophecy.
.. Peter In Prison. the Church Pray.
Inc (vs. l-6). Prosecutions had been
resumed esd after q temporary iull.
Some people serve Christ by living.
others BY yielding up their lives for
his sake. James mot the one men,
toned In chapter i5) was slain and
Peters death delayed In order not to
pollute the feast OF the Jewish Holy
week. Peters position was perilous.
sixteen soldiers guarded him In Ro-
man dungeon. hut his enemies had
left God out Of their calculations and
the believers had linked themselves
through prayer with the source OF all
power. Against such force Herod's
cunning plan. whereby he might curry
favor with the Jews ". 81. 10 power
less. But Il is now almost the hour
for Peters execution. Why the de
lay The greater TO demonstrate
the power OF God. Herod and the Jews
cared not for. nor recognized, Easter
but God cared for his servant and hon
ored the prayers OF his saints. Peters
faith In the plans and purposes OF
God IL indicated by his slumber and
the need Of being fully awakened by
the angel. There are four things about
that vigil OF prayer ". 81 offered by
the church on Peters behalf. which
was so wondrously answered. "a II
was directed unto God" Some pray
ers are offered TO audiences or the
ears OF man. but not such as are an
swered We have heard prayers. so
called. offered where the name OF
Jesus 10 never mentioned, and scarce
ly the name of God. Literally ". 81
this was Q "stretch-out-ed-ly" prayer
and its earnestness was such as tc
circumvent this vile grandson OF
Herod the Great. (2) II was made
without ceasing'' C'earnestly" r. W
There was q sincerity and an intensity
OF desire on Peters behalf which Ian
guage can scarcely express (See also
Rom. $3.50. The same word Is used
OF our Lords prayer In the garden
when His sweat was as great drops
OF blood falling down to the ground
Luke 22:44. Rom 1890. Col. ana
10. X. W There is little such prayer
10 be found. but once found Il Is an.
swered
%. Prayer Answered. Peter at Liberty
Tvs. IT'D. The messenger OF God
". ~ brought light. yet the servant
OF God needed awakening. q sugges-
ton to apply to our modern church
life His method OF awAking Peter
suggests that Il often takes sharp
blows TO arouse US to our duties and
privileges. The sinner has to be
awakened before he can be delivered.
Deliverance is more needed than
sleep
~. Joy and Amusement Tvs. l2-lD.
Peter. finding himself untrammeled
and free upon the streets OF the city.
and no longer angel-sccompanied. at
once repaired to his friends. DO we
seek the prayer meetings' II was
startling indeed for the subject OF their
prayers TO knock At the door: perhaps
he should have been more consider
ate Of their feelings. One. Rhoda.
readily responded. and II was her per
sistent faith that finally overcame the
lack of faith on the part of the others.
While they were yet speaking God
had answered lisa. $3.50. but such
prompt and complete deliverance
was not expected, and II amazed and
bewildered them. Rhods seemed TO
be expecting Peter. for a. soon a. she
answered Peters rap at the door she
recognized his voice ". I'D. and from
sheer Joy over the good news she was
able TO communicate II to those pray
ing. but abe neglected the important
duty Of opening the door for Peter.