The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 41 Peace In the Churches; Mighty Miracles of Christ.

Luke's account of Saul's conversion comes to an end, for now. All of God's churches experienced much needed relief from fierce persecution, spearheaded by Saul, before his conversion to Christ.

Now, churches had some space to focus on ministry within the local churches, and opportunities for evangelization outside of the church. 

Believers were edified, grounded in their faith, on their way to becoming mature saints who bear fruit for Christ.

Acts nine closes out with two more miracles done by Peter. 

Peter travels to Lydda

Acts 9:32  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 

Since the churches were at rest, the apostles used this interval of peace to visit all of the many congregations. They wished to build them up on their most holy faith. 

Peter passed through all quarters. As an apostle he was not the resident pastor of any one church. Rather, he was like a visiting pastor for many churches, confirming that the doctrine preached was indeed the apostolic doctrine. 

He also conferred the Holy Ghost on those that believed, and ordained ministers.

Saints are the peculiar treasure of God.

Psalm 16:1-3  Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 2) O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; 3) But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. 

David tells us that saints are those who put their trust in Jehovah. He delights to shower His goodness upon each of them. Jehovah loves each one of His saints and their death is precious in His sight (See Psalm 116:15). 

As saints today, we live in this present world, just as those early Christians lived in a Roman world. 

Luke called all Christians saints in this text. He did not limit it to some noteworthy people like Peter, James or Paul. Every believer in Christ is called a saint. The word "saints" means a most holy thing, set apart for God.  

Peter continued in Jerusalem during the time that the Churches were being persecuted throughout the land.  

A "certain" man sick for eight years is healed by Peter.  

Acts 9:33  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 

We are alerted that something different is going to happen by the word "certain." Peter came upon a "certain man named Aeneas." This "certain" man was about to experience a life impacting change through the power of the gospel. 

Luke also tells us that this certain man was "found" by Peter. This word means to find by enquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, or to find out by practice and experience. 

The idea is Peter's mind and senses were guided by the Spirit of God, to discover a "certain" man who had severe health issues. 

Aeneas was bedridden for eight years. Luke the physician, tells us that he was sick of the palsy. The Greek word describing his disease means that his muscles operated spastically and randomly. It is the idea of loosening or dissolving something.  It means to weaken or enfeeble. 

Aeneas' disease was incurable which is why he was invalid for eight years. Most of his care givers lost hope for any cure or relief for him. Many believed that he would remain bedridden until he died. 

His situation was desperate, but Peter "found" him. 

Jesus Christ made Aeneas perfectly whole.

Acts 9:34  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 

We see clearly that Peter had a divine appointment with this "certain man" and when he saw Aeneas, he commanded him to rise up. He was healed by the name and power of Jesus Christ. 

Peter did not pretend to heal Aeneas by any power of his own, but declared it to be Christ's act and deed. Peter directed Aeneas to look up to Christ for help, and assured him of an immediate cure. “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." 

How did Aeneas respond to Peter's command to rise up and take his bed home? He "arose" which is the same word that speaks of raising the dead. Thus, the resurrection power of Jesus Christ made this man whole. 

Aeneas arose "immediately." He responded with swift and complete obedience to the apostle's command. Remember, that there are four kinds of soil that signify four ways people respond to the gospel. 

Aeneas responded with faith. His heart was "good ground" for the seed of God's word to fall into (See Matthew 13). 

Other men healed by Peter leaped for joy and praised God with all of their heart. Luke does not tell us what Aeneas did, but he became a witness for Jesus Christ, and we do know that many people believed. 

Many people turned to Christ in repentant faith.

Acts 9:35  And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.  

The miracle of Aeneas' healing had an immediate impact upon residents of Lydda and the surrounding regions of Saron. 

They turned to the Lord. The word of God was brought home to their hearts by the Spirit of God and He wrought conviction for their sins. This resulted in many people turning away from sin and embracing Jesus Christ by faith. 

They began to worship the One, True God of heaven and earth. They began to learn of love and obedience toward God. 

A lovely Christian named Dorcas. 

Acts 9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 

We are going to meet another "certain disciple" of Christ. Luke brings before us a "certain disciple" whose Hebrew name was "Tabitha."  Her Greek name was "Dorcas" which means a gazelle. 

Gazelles are nimble creatures that look like small antelope. They are graceful, swift runners and can endure going days without water to drink. They can tolerate high temperatures and can run at speeds up to 50 mph!

There seems to be a correlation between the name "Dorcas" and her Christian conduct. Luke tells us she was full of good works. She had the energy and endurance of a gazelle.

She was involved in ministering to other believers and had a spirit of love and compassion, along with boundless energy to make things that others needed. 

She was also full of "almsdeeds" which means that she was moved with mercy and pity for the poor. This motivated her to make items like clothing to donate to widows, children and the poor. 

Tabitha had embraced Christ and was well known for many good works of charity and ministry to others. Her faith was demonstrated by her good works. She looked for ministry opportunities and was willing to meet people's needs. 

Tabitha was a doer of the Word.

James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

A "doer" of the word is a person who sees and understands what God desires, and then performs the word, or obeys God's law. 

James tells us that someone who professes to know Christ but who has no interest in obeying God's Word, is deceived. That person has fooled himself into thinking that he is right with God, but there is no fruit!

Don't be a forgetful hearer of God's truth!

James 1:23,24  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

People who hear the word of God but do not obey it are like a man or woman looking into the mirror of scripture, seeing their guilt for sin, and then walking away, forgetting to deal with their sin. 

James 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

Tabitha was a person who looked into the mirror of God's word, and turning to Christ with repentance, she continued following Christ. She learned and obeyed God's word. 

Tabitha, and all others who trust and obey God, will be blessed in their ser- vice for Christ. 

She was a doer of the word and not just a forgetful hearer.

Luke had a reason for telling us about this certain disciple named Dorcas, because she was a saint loved by many Christians. 

Many grieved when Tabitha died. 

Acts 9:37-38  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38)  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 

Dorcas died and the other Christian ladies lovingly prepared her body. They wanted to honor her good life of service for her Lord.  

However, the story is not yet over. The disciples at Joppa heard that Peter was at Lydda, which was a few miles away. They hastily sent some messengers to ask Peter to quickly come to their aid.

Peter saw Tabitha's body and heard testimony of her faith. 

Acts 9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

Peter responded and quickly came to where the body of Dorcas lay. All of the widows whom Dorcas ministered to and with, stood by Peter weeping, and showed him coats and garments made by Dorcas for those who needed them.

Certainly, Peter wept too, as he saw the impact of Dorcas's life upon this church family. 

Peter emptied the room and prayed to Jesus. 

Acts 9:40-41  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41)  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

Peter had seen and heard enough and he was ready to exercise the apostolic power that Jesus Christ had given them to use. He wanted no attention upon himself. Rather, Peter wanted to pray to the Lord alone in the room.

He put them all out. then, in humility and with great emotion, he kneeled down and pleaded with Jesus for her life to be restored. 

Peter turned to her body and commanded "Tabitha, Arise!" She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter helped her and lifted her up from the bed where she lay. 

Then, he called the saints and widows to come to the upper room and he presented Tabitha (Dorcas) alive!

Resurrection power displayed and many people were born again.

Act 9:42-43  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. 43)  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Tabitha being raised from the dead was the very best news and it spread like wildfire throughout all Joppa. 

Many more people believed on the Lord Jesus Christ when they heard about the dead being raised to life again. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We are blessed to be called "saints." We will have to study the great benefits and blessings of being a saint, because of having repentant faith in Christ. 

We met a "certain" man named Aeneas. No doubt, Aeneas enjoyed newness of life walking by faith in Christ. 

I wonder how many times that is a "certain" man or woman near us, that the Lord would have us share the gospel with? 

We must remember that being a "saint" or child of God carries with it a duty to live by God's word. It also includes the great joy of sharing the gospel with others. 

We met a "certain disciple" a dear saint of God whose heart overflowed with good works for other people's needs. 

Tabitha is an example of a faithful believer being transformed by the Lord, into a useful vessel for His service. 

I pray that we can be like an Aeneas, who respond to our Lord with swift and utter obedience, and who have a joyful testimony for our Lord.

I pray that we work hard and happily for our Lord now, so that we will make a positive impact on the lives of many others, such that, our lives will be counted worthy by Christ.

The best Christian life is always to simply trust and obey our God.

Bob