The Omaha guide., 1935-03-02
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
For March 3, 1885
By H. D. Piggue
SUBJECT:
SUBJECT:
Peter Unmasks Falsehood and Nv.
pocrisy'.-Acts, 5:1-6; 1924.

away Tying, speak every man CruLn
with hs neighbor; for we are members
one of another" Eph. 4:25-
No falsehood and hypocrisy can de-
ceive God. We may, for the time be-
ing deceive our fellow man, but this
is, by no means, the end. 1t is God
to whom we must account. There are
two principal pictures of the early
christian church brought before us in
this lesson. Ons is of the great
christian love and fellowship that pre-
vailed, and the other is of a wretched
sin committed by ANANIAS and his
wife, SAPPHIRA. Peter was conduct
ing a gr at meeting. Men and women
were being converted. Some lived in
Jerusalem, and many came from other
countries to be sav-d. Then, after be-
ing converted, they had love for each
other and were like a large family.
They were all very much interested in
the spreading of the Gospel, through
out the land and country and seeing
that others were converted, SO much
so, that THY voluntarily sold Their
property and gave the money, to the
Apostles to carry the work on and to
the poor and needy.
And the multitude Of them that be.
lieved were of one heart and of one
soul. Neither said any of them that
sught of thu things which he possess
ed was his own, but they had all
things common. Act. 4:32. They
were all assembled. praising and wor-
Shipping God, and in the midst of all of
this, there were hypocrites. They
were Ananias and Sapphire. Pre-
tending to be christians, they sold
their property just as the other chris
tians but Withheld a part and lied to
God.
Here is the picture. We have the
same characters in the churches today
They will go to church, testify, shcut
kneel down around the altar and par
take of the Lords Supper, and will
get right up and begin to talk about
someona, even someone who was in the
same service. Not only that! Go int
their homes, and you will find the
most damning evidences Of their nv.
pocrisy. They allow and invite a.
much to take place in their homes as
those who do not ever profess a hope
in Christ, such as card games, dane
ing and drinking orgies. Most of oul
, big society ministers are so wicked
themselves that they can't say any
thing about it. That's the trouble
with our churches toay. There arr
too many ~hypocrites from the pulpit
to the door.
Thou Hast not Lied Unto Man but
Unto God. Acts, 4:3
1 wonder if we think we can foo,
God as we do each other. We cannot
God knows all and sees all. Listen te
what is said in Job. 1925, Therefore
he knoweth their works, and he over.
turneth them in the night, so that they
are destroyed. Bear in mind thai
God, with his all-seeing and knowing
eye, cannot be fooled. Neither is il
a good idea to play with Him.
Ananias and Sapphire felt absolute.
ly sure that Peter had no means Of
knowing how much they had sold thei,
land for, and therefore felt safe in the
deception and getting away with thei,
wicked act. God revealed the truth
to Peter. Peter unmasked their false.
hood, telling them they were lying and
playing the part Of hypocrites.
Truly, Peter was a man of God. His
life was consecrated to God. He was
. very useful instrument in God.
hands, being blessed with His hol,
power from on high to heal the sicl
: and to perform great miracles. II
this way, it was proven through Pete,
that the stone which was set at naupht
OF the builders had become the heac
OF the corner, Acts, Alp. God is tn,
same today as he was then. There i.
no reason why we should enjoy tn,
great blessings that God has in store
for US. They are ours and God would
be pleased to give them to us, but we
must earn them by co~nsecratinp on,
lives to Him. Give up the world and
iat the world see Jesus in our Ives. LIE,
US recognize our churches rs a dwell.
ing place Of the most High. It is on,
fault that great things are not being
done here in our churches TODAY. W.
are not living up to the standard
conversions are raj The church is
not interested in saving souls. Toe
much stress is placed on finance. Tive
right and God will take care Of his
own.
God Always Hears the Prayers Of the
PENITENT
After Simon saw Peter performing
great miracles. he offered money &c
Peter for his great power Of healing
No doubt he wanted to commercialize
1t. but Peter understood and told him
OF all his sins. Simon, no doubt
feared the same punishment befallinp