Sunday Nov 9, 2008

Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed." Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us." 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, " Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
NASU

Acts 9:32-43 Exposition

Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

Turning from Saul to Peter we now see Peter traveling through those regions that were enjoying this new season of peace. It says he is going to the “saints” at Lydda. His visit is significant because he is beginning to do the work of strengthening the saints in the regions where the Church exists. Our role is to grow the church but it is also to equip and edify those who are in the church. Again we also see the reliance of the believers on one another, visiting groups of existing saints and using that place to do the work that they came to do. The church at large is connected to one another and we should receive with joy a brother or sister from another place who is a fellow “saint” in Christ.

33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.

Most likely Aeneas is one of these “saints” at Lydda and if so it shows the care of the Apostle for the saints offering such aid as he was enabled to the man who was paralyzed.

34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed." Immediately he got up.

Our duty to the Saints is to offer them immediately and fully any aid we are able to give. Peter, having worked miracles before had no reason to doubt that he could, offer healing through Jesus Christ. Notice he says Jesus Christ heals you. It was not Peter but Christ who healed Aeneas. He also expected Aeneas to make his bed once standing, significant because he was not to expect a relapse and the need to lie on his sickbed again. We, not having worked miracles as regularly as Peter, may hesitate to b e so bold as to declare a sick brother or sister well, yet we should be bold to pray for their healing and expect that God has the power to do what we would ask. Otherwise why should we pray at all. Like Peter, we too should not hesitate to offer whatever help we can. If only prayer, then we should pray immediately and in faith. If friendship, love, comfort or help then freely and as much as we can.

35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Our treatment of one another in the church is significant for when it is done well it draws others toward Christ. Obviously this was more dramatic when a miracle is involved to confirm the supernatural power of Christ and to authenticate the ministry of the Apostles. Yet still it is significant that our light as we shine it draws attention to our Lord.

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

Faussett's Bible dictionary tells us of Tabitha, “TABITHA, Aramaic, corresponding to Hebrew tsebiah, "a female gazelle," Dorcas (Acts 9:36), the emblem of beauty. The Christian woman at Joppa, "full of good works and alms deeds" (as making coats and garments for poor widows,”
(from Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1998, 2003 by Biblesoft)
It is a reminder of the later command of Peter, in 1 Peter 3:3-4
And let not your adornment be merely external — braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. NASB
Tabitha's beauty is in her service to others.

37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

Her sickness and death occasions the sending of people to Peter, presuming he might do something for her.

38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, "Do not delay in coming to us." 39 So Peter arose and went with them.

The people at Joppa must have believed that Peter could do something for Tabitha since they implored him to come with such urgency. Peter likewise responds to their urgency by going with them. We as well should respond to requests with similar urgency. We should give all we can and if we seem to be unable to help, turn to God in immediate and urgent prayer and turn to our gifts, talents, and connections with others to seek help where it may be given.

When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

Dorcas' (Tabitha's) character is shown by the love that the believers showed to her, that they spoke to Peter of all she had been doing. Their weeping was genuine as they mourned the loss to them of such a great woman of faith.

40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, " Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

This miracle was not public like others. Notice Peter sent them all away and turned to the Lord in Prayer. His response to do something was immediate. His action was not. He first sought the direction of the Lord. The request to make a difference for someone who was dead was perhaps overwhelming to Peter. Claiming no power of his own and without making any claims as to what he would do, he retreats from them for private prayer. Then as he was assuredly directed or freed by the Spirit to do, he spoke to the lifeless body as though she were alive telling her to get up. In God's almighty power, a demonstration that life and death belong in the realm of God's power, she returns to life. She is then presented alive to those who had sought Peter.

42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

The word spread that Tabitha had been healed and this led to others in the city coming to faith in Jesus Christ. It is significant that it led to faith in the Lord and not in Peter. The word had not only speread concerning her resurrection, but also that the miracle had been done in Jesus Name; thus it led to faith in Him. Faith is receiving Jesus Christ as Lord after hearing the word concerning Him. We likewise should trust all the more in Him whenever we hear the Word accurately proclaimed about him.