The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-06-09
Lesson for June IL
PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON

PETER DELIVERED FROM PRISON
LESSON TEXT-Acts 12:1-17.
GOLDEN TEXT-Many are the afflic-
lions of the righteous: but the Lord
delivereth him out of them ALPS.
S4:19.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Takes Care
of Peter.
JUNIOR TOPIC - God Answers
Prayer for Peter.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
Hollow Does God Deliver Us?
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Power of United Prayer.
!. Peters imprisonment wv. LAY.
1. BY whom ". ~.
Herod, the grandson Of the wicked
Herod who slew the innocent chill
dren of Bethlehem.
2. The reason ". 81.
It was to gain the favor Of the
Jews. Herod was not Jew, but an
Edomite therefore knew that his sue
cess was dependent upon his having
the good will of the Jews Herod for
the sake Of popularity manifested a
deep sympathy for degenerate Juda-
ism. 1t was but the sympathy of the
politician. Since the church had de-
yeloped so as to be q successful rival
of Judaism, indeed was already dis
placing it, he saw an opportunity to
curry favor with the Jews by putting
forth his hands against 1t.
8. The method ". ~.
He was arrested, put into prison
and guarded by four quaternions of
soldiers A quaternion is guard OF
four soldiers. Humanity speaking, 1t
was impossible to escape. They had
doubtless heard of Peters escape from
Jail before, so they thought they would
take no risks this time. However,
they made one fatal mistake-they
left out God.
II. The Church Of God in Prayer
". 81.
The church was at a crisis. Her
situation was most grave. James, one
of the brethren of the church, was
dead. and Peter, the most prominent
of all, was in prison. In this desperate
strait they did the wise thing-they
betook themselves to prayer. 1t was
a noteworthy prayer.
/. 1t was unto God, not unto men,
or to be heard of men. This is a very
common fault today. All true prayer
is unto God.
2. 1t was united prayer.
There is peculiar power in the
united prayer of Gods people.
3. 1t was an intensely earnest
prayer.
1t was more than unceasing prayer,
it was the earnest desire of the soul
as it stretched itself out toward God.
4. 1t was definite prayer.
They specifically offered prayer to
God for Peter. Their prayer was con-
centrated, definite and specific.
Ill. Peter Delivered by an Angel
Nv. 6-1D.
1. Peter sleeping ". g..
This shows that he was not greatly
disturbed over the matter. The Lord
keeps in perfect peace those whose
minds are stayed on Him. Elsa. 26 BY.
2. Peter leaves the prison wv. 7-10).
A heavenly light shone in the prison.
The angel smote Peter on the side !;
the chains fell off. Peter put on his
clothes and passed by one guard after
another through the iron gate out
into the city.
8. The effect upon Peter ". ~.
Although the matter was so wonder
full to Peter, even outside his con-
sciousness, when he came to himself
he was assured beyond peradventure
that God had miraculously delivered
him from Herods wicked hands.
~. Unconscious Unbeief (vv -
19).
1. Behavior of Peter and the church
wv. 12-1D.
Peter went to the house of Mary
and knocked. The knock was an
Swered by Rhoda who was so over
Jsyed that she forgot to open the
gate, and ran In and told them that
Peter was at the gate. The disciples
were not prepared for such good news,
and even accused her of madness.
She, undaunted, insisted. They Of
fered as an explanation that perhaps
1t might be Peters guardian angel in
his likeness. They got more than they
expected Peter rehearsed unto them
the Lords dealing with him, and in
Structed them to make these things
known unto James and the brethren.
2. The behavior of the soldiers wv.
1870.
There was great agitation among
them as to what had become of Peter.
This was a serious matter since they
were responsible for him. Not being
able to account for Peters escape,
Herod commanded that they be put to
death. After this Herod went down
to Caesarea. Here he was adored as
God. Because he arrogated this honor
to himself, the Lord smote him. Herod
died, but the Word of the Lord grew
and multiplied.