The Omaha guide., 1935-03-16

GOLDEN TEXT-But prayer was
made without ceasing of the church
unto God for him, Acts 12:5b.
PRIMARY TOPIC-How Peter
Was Freed From Prison.
JUNIOR TOPrC-How Peter Was
Delivered From Prison.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-How Prayer Helps.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-The Power of United Prayer.
The young church had met and
overcome some serious difficulties.
She first had to face religious perse-
cution at the hands of Jews. Then
came internal troubles as to the
support Of certain widows. The
separating wall of PharisaicalI legal
ism was broken down In the admis-
sion 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. 14).
/. By whom ". -. Herod, the
grandson of the wicked Herod who
slew the innocent children of Beth
lehem. His half-sister, Herodias,
secured the death Of John the Bap-
fist.
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 popular
ity, for the sake of which he mani
tested a deep sympathy for degen-
crate Judaism. Since the church
had SO developed as to be a success
full rival of Judaism, he saw an Op-
portunity to curry favor with the
Jews by putting forth his hands
against it.
8. The method ". ~. He was
arrested, put into prison and guard
ed by sixteen soldiers, n group Of
four for each watch of the night.
Humanity speaking it was impossi-
Bile to escape. They had doubtless
beard of Peters escape from Jail be-
fore, so they thought they would
take no risks this time. However,
they reckoned without God
II. The Church Of God in Praysr
". %.
The church was at a crisis. James,
one of the brethren of the church,
was dead, and Peter, the most prom
inent of all, was In prison. In this
desperate strait, they betook them
selves to prayer. This was a note
worthy prayer.
!. It was unto God. All true
prayer Is unto God.
2. 1t was united prayer. There
is peculiar power in the united
prayer of Gods people.
8. It was more than unceasing
prayer. 1t was the intensely earn
est desire of the soul stretched to-
ward God.
4. 1t was definite prayer. They
specifically offered prayer to God
for Peter.
~. Peter Delivered BY an Angel
wv. 6-11).
This occurred the night before
Herod's plan to make a public dis
play Of him.
l. Peter steering ". g.. This
shows that he was not disturbed
over the matter. The Lord keeps
In perfect peace those whose minds
are stayed on him Elsa. 26 ~.
2. Peter leaves the prison wv. z
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
leisurely, showing that God is moi
in a hurry.
8. The effect upon Peter ". ~.
Although the matter was so wonder
full to Peter, who thought himself
in a vision, when he came to him
self he knew that God had miracu-
lousy delivered him from Herod's
wicked hands.
~. Unconscious UnbeIief wv.
12-19).
l.. The behavior of Peter and the
church wv. 12-1). Peter went to
the house of Mary and knocked.
The knock was answered by Rhoda,
who was SO overjoyed that she for
got to open the gate, and went right
In and told them that Peter was at
the gate. The disciples were not
prepared for such good news, even
accusing Ter Of madness. She. IN
daunted, insisted. They offered as
an explanation that perhaps it
might be Peters guardian angel in
his likeness. Peter rehearsed into
them the Lords dealing with him.
2 The behavior of the soldiers
fvv. Is, 19). There was great agita-
ton among them as to what had be
come of Peter. This was a serious
matter, since they were responsible
for him. Not being able to
for Peters escape, Herod command
ed that they be put to death. After
this, Herod went down to Caesarea.
where he was adored as a god. Be
cause he arrogated this honor to
himself, the Lord smote him. Herod
died, but the word of tho Lore
prpw and muItiDlipd