Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1920-02-22
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE
SCHOOL LESSON, SUNDAY
FEBRUARY %. 1920
BY REV. w. S. BUCHANAN

fifteen years before at the time of the
Passover.
Peter was sleeping between two
soldiers.
about to make good his profession of
loyalty to Christ, that "he would die
with him.
2. Chains and an Angel. vss, clio.
8. Bound with two chains Ordi
narily a prisoner was chained to one
soldier. Perhaps Herod has been told
how Peter had once before escaped
from prison. (Acts 5: 1T-24.)
Z. AN angel of the Lord stood by
him. This may have been the same
angel that appeared TO him on the other
occasion. (Acts. $1,000 Rise up
quickly There was time to de-
lay though there was no need for haste
we note from VS.. 8.
8. He knew not that it was true.
1t is no wonder that Peter thought he
was dreaming while this deliverance
was being accomplished. No miracle
more unexpected or more complicated
had ever been wrought.
10. when they We're past the first
and the second guard Four groups
of four. soldiers each were appointed
guards to Peter Tvs. ~. The second
guard was probably the soldiers who
We're guarding other gates in the
prison. They went out Note that
the angel does not leave Peter until he
is at liberty in the public street Not
only that. but the angel passed ION
through one street with Peter before
he left him. The ANGEL stayed with
Peter until he recovered his wits and
found out where he was. but when God
had done for Peter What Peter could
not do for himself the apostle then was
left to his own devices.
g. Prayers Answered. WIS. 11-17.
IL. when Peter was come to him
self" AS he followed the angel through
the moonlight, he walked as in. a dream
The Lord hath sent forth his angel
and delivered me-" He knew how the
Jews were waiting until Passover was
fulfilled Peters words are almost an
exact quotation of Ps. 4:37. The words
are found in the golden text of this
lesson.
Il. "He came to the house of Mary
the mother of john" Mary must have
been a woman of some wealth for she
had house large enough. to accomo-
date a prayer meeting of the Church.
1t is beautiful tradition that the up
per room wherein Jesus ate his last
supper with his disciples was the
guest room in the house of Mary.
MANY were gathered together and
were praying The purpose of the
prayer meeting is suggested by Pro-
fessor McGarvey in the following
words: I'VE have reasons to believe
that they were not praying for his
lease. for they well knew that without
miraculous interpretation this was i'm
possible and as God had not rescued
James. they had no reason to believe
that he would thus rescue Peter.
Moreover when he was release as we
see below, they We're so far from ex-
pecting it, or hoping for it, that they
could not at first believe it, as they
would have been ready to do had they
been praying for it. 1t was not natural
under the circumstances that their pc
tition to God should take a different
direction; for remembering how Peter
had once faltered in the presence of
eminent danger, and fully expecting
that he would now be required to
face the block. they had good cause
to pray that his faith and courage
might not fail him in the final crisis.
but that. like Jesus and like James
as may suppose. he might glorify
the Lord by a triumphant death.
Is. "A maid came to answer" The
story of this night is evidently that of
an eye witness who was thoroughly
acquainted with the family. for he
knew the name of the maid who opened
the door. Mark, Mary's son. was af-
terward travelling companion of Peter
and may himself have told the story to
Luke
IA. when she knew Peters voice.
Rhoda was personally acquainted with
Peter. either because she had been IL
public assemblies of tie Christians.
where he had spoken. or because Peter
had been frequently in the home of rer
mistress. No doubt she had both of
these opportunities to know Peters
voice
5. ..They said unto her thou art
mad" Such is the experience of pray
ing believers: certain leaven - con-
mi, cy1a rait -, =
they have reason to pray: Lord, !
believe: help thou my unbelief. ''1hey
said 1t is his angel Thar reply to
Rhoda was a natural one Il Professor
McGarvey.s suggestion is true iha
they were not expecting Peters release.