The Dolores star., 1920-01-16
LESSON FOR JANUARY 18
THE soLDNESs OF PETER AND
JOHN.

JOHN.
LESSON TEXT-Acts Alb.
rolpEN TEXT-Watch ye. stand fast
i Cor. 1913
| ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-Matt. 5:1O-
| li:32. 49,
| PRIMARY ToPIC-The Story of Two
| Brave Men.
| JUNIOR TOPIC-Peter and Job, Stand
| ing Up for Jesus.
| INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
lC-courage to Do the Right.
1.Peter and John Arrested wv. 1-4).
l. by Whom Arrested wv. 1. 2).
The priests and Sadducees. The
priests We're intolerant because these
new teachers were encrOaching upon
their ministerial functions The Sad
ducees opposed them from doctrinal
consideration. They denied the resur-
rection from the dead and the future
life. Although they were the intellect
ual liberalists of their day they were
cruelty intolerant. The most outstand-
ing bigots of our day are the professed
intellectua!s whose watchword is
| Scholarship"
.. The Result wv. 3, ~. Peter and
John were now put in confinement till
the next day, it being too late for trial
that day. Though the apostles were
held by chains Christ continued to
work, for the number of believers had
now greatly increased Opposition
helps Gods cause
II. Peter and John on Trial wv. s.
| 12).
l. The Inquiry wv. SD. They were
asked, by what power or in what
name, have ye done this?" This in
quiry admitted the reality of the mir
acle.
.. Peters Answer wv. S-12). With
singing sarcasm he showed them that
they were not being tried as evil do
erS. but for doing good to the helpless
and needy man. He showed the alb
surdity of dealing with men as Grim
nalS who had merely relieved the suf-
fering and helpless man from distress
thus the rulers We're placed in Il
most ridiculous and embarrassing po-
sition. Since they could not deny the
miracle, Peter boldly declared, "Be
it known unto you all. and to all the
people Of Israel. that by the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom We
crucitied whom God raised from the
dead, even by him doth this man stand
before you whole. This is the stone
which was set at naught by you build
ers. which is become the head of the
corner. Neither is there salvation
in any other form; for there is none
other name under heaven given among
men whereby We must be saved"
III. The Impression Upon the San
hedrin wv. 1920.
l. They marvelled ". 13). The fact
that the apostles spoke so boldly, be-
Ing unlearned men, caused them to
marvel. They saw that the behavior
and words of Peter were as unusual
us the miracle.
.. They took knowledge that they
had been with Jesus ". 13). They
saw that though they had killed Jesus.
his life and work were being repro
duced in his disciples. Being with
Christ Q gives an experiential
knowledge of him. The one who real
ly knows Christ can and will testify
of him and for him. (2) Gives free
dom from fear. Peter, who shortly
before this quailed before a Jewish
maid, was now bold before the most
august assembly of the Jews. (3)
Opens n mans lips. What the heart
feels. the mouth must speak out.
8. The judges commanded them not
to speak in Christs name ". 1S).
They could not deny the miracle nor
gainsay the accusation which Peter
brought against them, so they attempt
ed to intimdate them.
4. Peter and Johns reply wv. 10.
oO) They expressed their determine
| ton to disobey their instructors-they
openly dcfied the Sanhedrin. "Whether
1t be right in the sight of God to
hearken unto you more than unto God,
| Judge ye: for we cannot speak the
things which we have seen and
heard" BY this declaration they re-
pudiated the authority of the rulers
of Israel and set the church in place
of independence from the Jewish
state.
5. Their release ". 2D. Having
| further threatened them, the Sanhed-
rim let them go. as it had no way to
punish them, since the people were on
| their side.
~. The Church at Prayer. wv. 23-
81.
AS soon az Peter and John were set
free they hastened away to their dis
ciples and rehearsed to them their ex-
| perience. They took the matter to
God in prayer. and in their commun-
ion they turned to the Holy Scriptures
for comfort and strength.