LESSON IX.-SABBATH, NOVEMBER 27, 1897

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 44.

LESSON IX.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 27, 1897

International Series.

LESSON IX.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 27, 1897.

PETER'S DELIVERANCE FROM PRISON.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 12:1-19, R. V.

"Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with a sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread. And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards before the door kept the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell; and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed; and he wist not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. And when they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Cæsarea, and tarried there."

QUESTIONS.

At the time of which we are studying, what did Herod begin to do?
Who was the chief victim?
What was one motive that prompted Herod to this persecution? Seeing that the beginning met with favor, what did he proceed to do? What feast was then at hand?
What precautions were taken to prevent Peter's escape? When was it proposed that he should be put to death?
How closely was he guarded the night before he was to be killed? How much anxiety did Peter manifest?
Meanwhile, what steps had the church taken to effect Peter's deliverance? To whom did they present a petition for his release?
As Peter was soundly sleeping the last night in the prison, what took place? What appeared in the prison? What did the angel do and say?
What further did he say, and what followed?
As Peter mechanically followed the angel, what did he think?
Where did the angel conduct him? What did the angel do when he had conducted Peter clear of the prison?
When Peter came to himself, what did he say? Give the exact words.
Where did he then go? How can you tell that he had a reason for going there? What was going on there?
Who came to the door when Peter knocked?
What did she recognize, and what did she then do? Why did she not at once open the door?
When she told them in the house that Peter stood without, how did they regard her? What did they say when she insisted that it was so?
As Peter continued knocking, what did they finally do? How did they then feel?
What did Peter do and say? Where did he then go?
What took place as soon as it was day? What was done with Peter's keepers? Where did Herod then go?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Repeat the verse in the Psalms that is strikingly illustrated in this lesson, and tell where it is found.
Who was "Herod the king"? How many Herods are mentioned in the New Testament?
How many of the twelve apostles were named James?
Note that the Revised Version has "Passover" in verse 4, instead of "Easter." The use of the word "Easter" is really a perversion; the disciples knew nothing either of the word or the festival, unless they had chanced to hear the name of the heathen deity from which it comes.