Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-11
Sunday School Lesson

The united petitions Tor the glory
Of God and the advancement Of His
kingdom among men resulted in a
miraculous deliverance OF Peter. The
apostle had fallen asleep. leaving
everything in the hands Of his Lord.
The description Of how the dazed and
sleepy man was aroused and conduct
ed out Of the prison is told so that
we may see the hand Of God and His
answering the prayers OF the church
in Peters deliverance. It was not
until after he was outside of the pris-
on that Peter realized that he was
free. Then "he knew Of a truth that
the Lord had sent His messenger and
delivered him out Of the hand of
Herod and from the expectations of
the Jews" who had opposed him and
his work.
There are three supernatural Incl
dents in connection with Peters de-
liverance that have kept some from
obtaining the help they ought to gain
from believing the facts recorded
about this marvellous rescue. The
record has all the marks of being a
true narrative. Luke, the author Of
acts, probably received 1t from Peter,
who told him of his bewilderment and
how by considering all the facts he
came to see the hand of God in his
deliverance. No one who faces the
facts of life can escape seeing In his
own career the evidence OF the unseen
guide whose hand has removed num-
berless distractions, overwhelming OPP
position and mastering apparently in
surmountable difficulties, so that in
many cases we have done what men
called impossible. God Is still in the
world and awaits to help, aid and as
sist all who will call upon Him In the
name of the Lord Jesus.
Peter Encouraged His Praying
Brethren.
It did not take Peter long after ne
was free to locate the home of Mary,
the mother of Mark, who afterWard
became an associate with him In the
Lords work. His vigorous knocking
upon the door interrupted the prayer
meeting which was being held for
his release, Rhoda, the servant VINO
responded to his knocking, was so
surprised by hearing and recognizing
Peters voice that she left him wait
ing without until she informed them
that the apostle was free. They
doubted her word, but the entrance
of Peter proved the fact. He con-
WINGED them that the Lord had an
swered the prayers of the church
and given him his freedom in NIL
raculous manner. He directed them
to inform the other groups. especially
James, the brother of Christ, VINO
was the pastor of the Jerusalem
Church.
According to tradition Peter went
to Rome, although the Scriptures are
silent concerning where he went at
this time. Later he appears again and
Is active in the affairs Of the Jerusa-
lem Church and in helping solve the
problems connected with the mission
airy work Of Paul among the Gent1les.
The One who had given Peter his
freedom protected him for period
from the rage and anger OF Herod.
A short time after Herod's return TO
Caesarea the King, who started the
political persecution against the
church, met his end at an hour when
the multitude was proclaiming him
to be a god. He died of loathsome
disease, exclaiming, II. the god, am
about to die" Death had already
seized him whom men called I'M
mortal. His death ended the pollt1'
cal persecution and the church grew
during the period Of rest from perse'
cutions. During that period they
reaped the results Of the martyrs
death.
The story Of every persecution has
been the same. Driven by peril to
prayer, the spiritual life and power OF
the church has been enlarged and God
has blessed their prayers. He always
answers our prayers, although not
always with an affirmative reply. The
progress Of the church throughout
the centuries has been due to prayer.
In every hour of trial, testing and
temptation, we may depend upon God
hearing and answering our prayers.
Praying Christians are producing
miracles of divine grace today, just
as the petitions Of the Jerusalem
EsES 90. sscHrse y. ne !. Is. Ssa!iz n.s IS