Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 August 1892 — SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON. [ARTICLE]

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

Lomou Vlll.—Augu»t 21. THE APOSTLES PEBSECUTED.— Acts 52: 5-41 Sunt.—2s. Then camo one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye putin prison ire standing in the temple, and teaching the people. . > Schotfl.—2s. Then went the'captaln-with the officers, and brought them without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27. And when they had brought them they set them before the council; and the' high priest asked them, 28. Saying, Did not westraitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have tilled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29. Then Peter and the-othcr apostles answered and saick We ougtrt to obey God rather than men. 39. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye - *slew and hanged on a tree. 31. Him hath God exalted wit'll his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32. And we are 'his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy-Jihost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34. Then stood there up one in the council..a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of theTaw.hadlnrepuiation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;* . 35. And said unto thorn, Yemen of Israel take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching,these men. 36. For before these days rose up Thendas, boasting htmsclf to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37. After this man rose up J udas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him; he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him were dispersed. 33. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these mon, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; 39. But if it be ot God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest happily ye be found even to fight against God. 40. And to him they agreed; and when thqy had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. A—_ •« 41. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. The section of history covers verses 12-42. . ’ ' , „ Time.—A. D. 30-33; Soon after the last lesson. Place. —Jerusalem. Court of the and the hall of the Sanhedrim, .7 . Circumstances. —The great popularity of the Christian Church aroused the anger of the rulers against it. They put the apostles in prison, but an angel released them, and they immediately returned to their preaching. z. Held over Hard Places.—26. Captain: of the temple guard. 1 eared the people: while the apostles. 32. We are his only God. 28. Straitly: strictly. Filled Jerusalem: a testimony to the success of the apostles 32. We are his witnesses: they bore . witness to what they had seen and heard,—Christ’s words, miracles, resurrection, mighty works; changed lives, experienced blessedness. So is also the Holy Ghost: by the wonders of Pentecost, and miracles of healing and conversion of souls by the power of the Holy Ghost. 33. Cut to the heart: literally, sawn asunder. 34. Gamaliel: the teacher of Paul; a moderate Pharisee. He and the Pharisees were favored by—the-doc«-trine of the resurrection. 36. Theudas: a leader about the time of the birth of Jesus. The Jews were very restive under Roman rule, and there were many insurrections. 37. The days of the taxing: during the boyhood of Jesusf Roman taxes were by many Jews regarded as treason to their religion. The acknowledged allegiance to God .only. 40. Beaten them: with scourges, to express their disapprobation of the apostles disobedience to their command, and as a substitute for the severer punishment which some desired to inflict. Subjects for further study and special reports. —The imprisonment and release by the angel. The Sanhedrim.—Fearing God and fearing the people.—Obeying God rather than man. —The testimony of God to the gospel. The testimony of men. —Theudas and Judas. atieTs counsel.— Rejoicing in suffering for Christ.