Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1916-04-27
LESSON FOR APRIL 80
PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON.
LESSON TExr-Acts 12:1-1s.

One day the sons of Zebedee" de-
| sired Jesus to grant 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 petition
was not proper one nor intelligent
| ly asked, but according to their in
trepid assertions Of willingness they
should be baptized with his baptism
of death mark 10: 35-45), and that
the greatest of his followers should
be servant of ALL" Today's lesson is
fulfillment of that prophecy.
I. Peter in Prison, the Church Pray,
ing Tvs. 1-6). Prosecutions had been
resumed (9:31) after temporary lull.
Some people serve Christ by living,
others by yielding up their lives for
his sake. James mot the one men,
toned in chapter 15) 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. But 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 a force Herod's
cunning plan, whereby he might curry
favor with the Jews w. 81, is power
less. But it is now almost the hour
for Peters execution. Why the de-
lay? The greater to demonstrate 1
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 is indicated by his slumber and
the need of being fully awakened by
the angel. There are four things about
that vigil of prayer (v. 81 offered by
the church on Peters behalf, which
was so wondrously answered. ~ 1t
was directed unto God" Some pray
ers are offered to audiences or the
swered. We have heard prayers, So
called, offered where the name of
Jesus is never mentioned, and scarce
ly the name Of God. Literally ". 81
this was "stretch-out-ed-ly" prayer,
and it's earnestness was such as to
circumvent this vile grandson of
Herod the Great. (2) 1t was made
without ceasing' ("earnestly'' R. W.
There was a sincerity and an intensity
of desire on Peters behalf which lam
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"
(ISske 22:44, Rom. 1880, Col. Alp,
10, r. W There is little such prayer
to be found, but once found it is an
swered
II. Prayer Answered, Peter at Liberty
Tvs. 7-1D. The messenger of God |
". y brought light yet the servant |
Of God needed awakening, a sugges-
ton to apply to our modern church
life. His method of awaking Peter |
suggests that it 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
III. Joy and Amusement Tvs. 12-17). |
Peter, finding himself untrammeled |
and free upon the streets of the city.
and no longer ngel-accompanied, at |
once repaired to his friends. Do we |
seek the prayer meetings? 1t 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 it 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. 65:24), but such |
a prompt and complete deliverance
was not expected, and it amazed and
bewildered them. Rhoda seemed to
be expecting Peter, for as soon as she
answered Peters rap at the door she
recognized his voice ". 14), and from
sheer joy over the good news she was
able to communicate it to those pray
ing, but she neglected the important
duty of opening the door for Peter. |
She was only maid and her mes
sage was but foolishness duke "a:
III, which her elders sought to ex-
plain, but poor Peter still outside,
continued knocking" which soon con-
vinced those within, and upon open
ing tn. door they saw him" and were
'astonished."
Calming their fears and admonish-
ing them to hold their peace (v. 10,
Peter turned their thoughts from him.
self to Jesus and commanded that
James, the leader of the Jerusalem
church, and "the brethren be in
formed of his deliverance.
Meanwhile he went to another
place."
Herod when he sought to execute
Peter according to his nlan (vs 2 az