The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-03-14

made without ceasing of the church
unto God for him. Acts 12:5b.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Peter Was
Freed From Prison.
JUNIOR TOPIC-How Peter Was De-
llivered From Prison.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-How Prayer Helps.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Power of United Prayer.
The young church had met and over
come some serious difficulties. She
first had to face religious persecution
at the hands of Jews. Then came in
ternal troubles as to the support Of
certain widows. The separating wall
of Pharisaical legalism was broken
down in the admission Of Gentiles into
the church, but finally she had to meet
the naked sword of civil authority.
Through all these tests she was more
than conqueror.
I |. Peters Imprisonment wv. La.
/. By whom ". y. Herod, the
grandson of the wicked Herod who
slew the innocent children of Bethle-
hem. His half-sister, Herodias, secured
the death of John the Baptist.
2. The reason ". 81. 1t was to gain
the favor of the Jews. Herod was not
a Jew but an Edomite. Therefore, he
knew that his success was dependent
upon his having the good will Of the
Jews. He seems not particularly to
have hated the church, but to have
loved popularity, for the sake of which
he manifested a deep sympathy for
degenerate Judaism. Since the church
had so developed as to be successful
rival of Judaism, he saw an opportunity
to curry favor with the Jews by put
ting forth his hands against it.
8. The method ". ~. He was ar
rested, put into prison and guarded by
sixteen soldiers, one group of four
for each watch of the night. Humanity
speaking it 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 reckoned without God.
II. The Church of God in Prayer
". 81.
The church was at a crisis. James,
one of the brethren of the church, was
dead, and Peter, the most prominent
of all, was in prison. In this desper-
ate strait, they betook themselves to
prayer. This was noteworthy prayer.
1. 1t was unto God. All true prayer
is unto God.
g It was united prayer. There is
peculiar power in the united prayer Of
Gods people.
8. 1t was more than unceasing pray
er. 1t was the intensely earnest desire
of the soul stretched toward God.
4. 1t was definite prayer. They specif-
ically offered prayer to God for Peter.
III. Peter Delivered by an Angel
wv. GID.
This occurred the night before He
rods plan to make public display of
him.
1. Peter sleeping ". g.. This
the matter. The Lord keeps in perfect
peace those whose minds are stayed
on him Elsa. 26:3).
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 and into
the city. The whole transaction was
orderly and Iesurely, showing that God
is not in hurry.
8. The effect upon Peter ". 11).
Although the matter was so wonder
full to Peter, who thought himself in
a vision, when he came to himself he
knew that God had miracu!ously deliv-
cred him from Herods wicked hands.
~. Unconscious UnbeIief wv. 12-19).
l. The behavior of Peter and the
church wv 12-17). Peter went to the
house of Mary and knocked. The
knock was answered by Rhoda, who
was so overioyed that she forgot to
open the gate, and went right in and
told them that Peter was at the gate.
such good news, even accusing her of
madness. She, undaunted, insisted.
They offered as an explanation that
perhaps it might be Peters guardian
angel in his likeness. Peter rehearsed
unto them the Lords dealing with him.
2. The behavior of the soldiers wv.
1S, 19). 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, where he was
adored as a god. Because he arrogat-
ed this honor to himself, the Lord
smote him. Herod died, but the word
of the Lord grew and multiplied.
How to Love God