Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-11
Sunday School Lesson
By
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

Jesus. At the opening of their trial the
attitude Of hostility to the apostles was
seen in he question as to the sort of
power they had used in healing the
lame man. 1t was question of life or
death, for according to IAN old Mosaic
statute they might be stoned to death if
they confessed to having used any other
name than that of Jehovah"
Filled with the power Of the Holy
Spirit, Peter made his defense in a
courageous manner. speaking with such
skill and effectiveness that he wen the
admiration of many unfriendly Judges
They had planned to trap the apostle
but he placed them at a disadvantage
with his opening words. There was
sarcasm in the first sentence, If we
this day be examined of the good deed
done" There was no question concern
ing the fact that they had performed a
good deed. and to arrest them and try
them, men who had never studied at
their theological schools, charging that
they could perform such a superhuman
deed, appeared to the court to have
been mistake. The penalty pro-
nounced freed them from punishment.
but they were forbidden to preach.
Apostles Refuse Obedience.
Facing IIch an august body, one mar
vels at the determination of the two
apostles. who publicly informed. the
court they would obey God. not men.
In this one sees the secret OF the
apostles power as preachers. Their COM
mission was a divine one, and they re-
fused to permit the court to interfere
with It, No man called of God to
preach will permit any man, or group
Of men, to censor his message or die
tate to him how he should carry out his
divine commission to preach.
The apostles decision was the fore
runner of similar decisions on the part
of men who believed that their al
legiance to the Lord transcends any OBJ
legation that they may hold to courts
or governments 1t has been the foun-
dalton for much Of the world progress.
If the apostles had listened to the in
functions of that distinguished body,
who feared to punish the apostles be-
cause of the people. we would never
have heard the gospel. The Sarhedrin
could not silence the apostles any more
than China by its decision not to per-
nit the teaching of the Bible in the
mission schools can prevent the preach
ing of the Gospel by the lives of Christ's
representatives in that land.
Having won their pattle before the
Sanhedrin, because they declined TO
punish the courageous champions of
Christ for contempt of court, the
apostles turned to the church. The
apostles recognized, as every preacher
does today, their need of help from
above. They found. as Jesus found, that
prayer was the gateway to power. They
found comfort in the Psalms, just as
we will always find that the Scriptures
will be a source Of great help and
strength to us in every hour of crisis
and trial When we exercise the faith
that the apostles did by obeying the
Lord Jesus rather than men. We will
find help from above that will enable
us to testify for Him.
The preaching Of the apostles contin-
ued with power and it resulted in con-
slant additions being made to the num-
Der of followers OF the Lord Jesus. God
endowed them with power. just as He
will endow us with spiritual energy that
will give our words force and effective
ness, If in all things we OBEY God rather
than men. The principles OF religious
liberty we're sounded forth by Peter that
day, Just as they have been declared by
men In every age and land since, when,
in obedience to ChriSts commands, they
have dared to preach the only gospel
that insures complete conquest for
every believer We have 4 message Of
victory that proclains the triumph OF
light over darkness. of construction over
destruction, and of life over death to
preach to every creature. Let us obey
God and send the light to every man
and nation.