Middletown transcript., 1916-04-29
LESSON FOR APRIL 30
PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON.
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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 petition
was not a 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 1O:35-45). and that
the greatest of his followers should
be servant of all" Today's lesson is
a fulhllment of that prophecy,
!. 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 (not the one men.
toned in chapter 15) was slain and
Peters death delayed in order not tc
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 force Herod'a
cunning plan, 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 ". s. offered by
the church on Peters behalf, which
was so wondrously answered. Q) 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 is never mentioned, and scarce
ly the name Of God. Literally (v. 81 |
this was a "stretch-out-ed-ly" prayer, |
and its earnestness was such as to |
circumvent this vile grandson OF |
Herod the Great. (2) It was made |
without ceasing'' ('earnestly" R. W. |
There was a sincerity and an intensity |
of desire on Peters behalf which Ian
guage can scarcely express (See also
Rom. 8:26). 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"
Ouke 22;44, Rom. 1870, Col. 4:12,
Is, r. W There is little such prayer
to be found, but once found it is an
swered. 90 1t was "of the church."
L g., it was a united prayer. Such
unity is the evidence of the Spirits
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. az
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. 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
The sinner has to be
awakened before he can be delivered.
Deliverance is more needed than
sleep. Neglect is more dangerous than
rebellion. Half-awake Peter neverthe-
less obeyed Gods messenger. Nor
did he seemingly stop to argue or ask
for further particulars and explana-
lions 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
eulties which lay between him and
freedom, melted away, even before he
had time to lay so much as his finger
70 the task If we obey God, what
seems to man to be an absolute bar
'ier, will be overcome, though fire.
Iuently it is not removed until we are
ace to face with it even as Peter
Itood before first one gate and then
mother. Looking back many of us i
an exclaim Of our deliverances that
We twist not that it was true" Il
III. Joy and Amazement Tvs. 12-17). y
Peter, finding himself untrammeled
nd free upon the streets of the city, p
nd no longer angel-accompanied, at s
nee repaired to his friends. Do we
eek the prayer meetings? 1t was t
tartling indeed for the subject of their fl
'rayers to knock at the door; perhaps n
10 should have been more consider
te Of their feelings. One, Rhoda, o
eadily responded, and it was her per- I
istent faith that finally overcame the Il
ack of faith on the part of the others. d
While they were yet speaking God | Ii
ad answered Elsa. 65:24), but such tt
prompt and complete delive9ance "
Tas not expected, and it amazed and Il
ewildered them. Rhoda seemed to
70 expecting Peter, for as soon as she IL
pNter's rap at the door she B
ecognized his voice ". 14), and from is
heer joy over the good news she was
BILE to communicate it to those pray
lg, but she neglected the important
uty of opening the door for Peter nj
he was only maid" and her mes h
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