The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-29
LESSON FOR APRIL 80
PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON,
LESSON TEXT-Acts 12:1-1o.

AAlllAH anu ANAAN NANNh AANAAA A @AAhe NHff
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 a proper N nor intelligent
ly asked, but according to their in
trepid assertions of willingness they
should be baptized with his baptism
of death Mark 1O:35-45), and that
the greatest of his followers should
be servant Of ALL" Today's lesson is
a fulfllment of that prophecy.
l.. Peter in Prison, the Church Pray
Ing Tvs. 1-6). Prosecutions had been
resumed (9:31) after a 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 a 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 plaza, whereby he might curry
favor with the Jews ". 81, is power
less. But it 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 Is 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. (1) 1t
was directed unto God" Some pray
ers are offered to audiences or the
ears of man, but not such as are an
swered. We nave heard prayers, So
called, offered where the lame Of
jesus 10 u6NbI utlllOlGu, anu SCdlCt-
ly the name of God. Literally ". 81
this was a '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" ('eariestly" R. W.
There was a sincerity and an intensity
Of desire on Peters behalf which Ian
guage a scarcely express CSee also
Rom. S:26). 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. 1880, Col. ALP,
10, r. " There is little such prayer
to be found, but once found it is an
swered. 60 1t was of the church"
/. e., it was a united prayer. Such
unity is the evidence of the Spirit S
presence (Eph. 4:1-16). One shred
of hemp is not very strong, but many
united form the strong and mighty
rope Multiply individual prayer by
the united prayer of the church and
see the mighty works of God. ca
1t was definite, for him." Definite
prayers of definite individuals for def.
mite purposes will produce definite re-
suits.
u. Prayer Answered, Peter at Liberty
Tvs. I'D. 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 hat it often takes sharp
blows to arouse us to our duties and
privileges. The sinner has to be
awakened before he can be delivered.
D~eliverance is more needed than
sleep. Neglect is more dangerous than
rebellion. Half-awake Peter neverthe'
less obeyed Gods messenger. MOI
did he seemingly stop to argue or ask
for further particulars and explana
tions as so many sinners do. The rec,
ord of this deliVerance is most graph,
ic. Peter did nothing but to follow
and as he obeyed, one after another
OF the seemingly unsurmountable diff
culties which lay between him and
freedom, melted away, eve before he
had time to lay so much as his finger
to the task. If we obey God, what
seems to man to be an absolute bar
rier, will be overcome, though fire.
quently it is not removed until we are
face to face with it even as Peter
stood before first one gate and Their
another. Looking back many of US
a exclaim Of our deliverances thai
we twist not that it was true"
III. Joy and Amusement Tvs. 1910
Peter. finding himself untrammeleC
and free upon the streets of the city
and no longer angel-accompanied, a
once repaired to his friends. Do W.
seek the prayer meetings? 1t wal
startling indeed for the subject of theil
prayers to knock at the door; perhaps
he should have been more consider
ate of their feelings. One, Rhoda
readily responded, and 1t was her per
sistent faith that finally overcame tn,
lack of faith on the part of the Others
While they were yet speaking Go,
had answered lisa. 65: 24), but sucl
q prompt and complete %deliveranc
was not expected, and it amazed an
~bewildered them. Rhoda seemed L
be expecting Peter, for as 1901 as sh
answered Peters rap at the door sh
recognized his voice ". 14), and fror
sheer joy over the good news she wa