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Studies in ACTS

"Acts 9:32-43 From Saul to the Apostle Peter"


To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 15:46:33 -0500
Subject: [HF] Acts 023 - Acts 9:32-43 From Saul to the Apostle Peter

Hebraics,

For the next few studies Saul (Paul) will be out of the picture, and our
attention will turn largely to the apostle Peter. These studies should
prove to be interesting. We are going to see changes at work in both
the thinking of the apostles and in the composition of the Church.

Again let's remind ourselves to leave behind our 21st century Church
thinking, and see ourselves as participants with the early believers. It is time
for us to began some travels with the apostle Peter.

Are you ready?

This is Acts023 - Acts 9:32-43 From Saul to the Apostle Peter.

Vs32: "Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came
down also to the saints who lived at Lydda."

.... Time frame: Biblical chronology shows this to be about 40 a.d., or
seven years after Pentecost. Also keep in mind that since Pentecost
there is no record of anyone speaking in other languages. During
these months and years since Pentecost, there are untold thousands
of people coming to faith in Jesus. At this point of time the Church is
made up entirely of Jewish and Samaritan believers.

.... "Traveling through those regions." This is a reference to vs31,
which speaks of Judea, Galilee and Samaria. Peter is traveling
throughout the region where converts have been made. He may be
helping to establish the churches. (Lydda is a little over thirty miles
from Jerusalem, near the Mediterranean sea.)

Vss33-35: "There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been
bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him,
'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.'
Immediately he got up. And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw
him, and they turned to the Lord."

.... Peter calls Aeneas by name, and then tells him that "Jesus Christ"
heals him. Next Peter tells the paralyzed man to 'get up and to 'make'
his bed. It is interesting how Aeneas is told to something. You will find
this is often the case where a miracle work of God is involved. The
Lord requires that we do our part. As Aeneas responds to Peter's
words, he receives a miracle healing.

.... "All who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the
Lord." Here again we see the miracle working power of God through
the apostolic band. Notice how great the Jewish harvest is becoming.
Entire cities are turning to Jesus.

Vs36: "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. 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."

.... It was the custom of the Jews for the women to prepare the body
for burial. This they did. But they also put her body in an upper room.
This was likely where the believers met for services. The believers
knew that the apostle Peter was close at hand.

.... This brings us back to the signs of a true apostle. Notice that the
disciples in Joppa do not attempt to bring Tabitha back to life. They
were well aware that the apostles had been given unique powers. So
they sent two disciples for Peter.

Vs38: "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.'"

.... There is no question that the disciples believed Peter had the
power to raise Tabitha from the dead. No was would have strayed very
far from the upper room.

Vs39: "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."

.... It is felt among some groups today that we ought not mourn the
passing of a believer, but this is contrary to our nature. Although we
know without any doubt that a believing loved one goes to be with
Jesus, we yet feel their loss very deeply. It is perfectly right to weep.

But here we will see Peter do something we might find strange.

Vs40: "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."

.... Why did Peter send the disciples out of the room? Were they not
believers? The reason is deeper. Peter needed his moment of
aloneness with Jesus. The apostles did not just go around raising
people from the dead. Peter kneels in prayer. Just he and Jesus. And
in the quietness of the moment the apostle receives what he is to do.

No shouting. No loud noises. No repeated praying. No having to
wrestle the devil. Peter turns to the body, and says, "Tabitha, arise!"
Instantly resurrection power fills her lifeless body, and she sits up. This is
what happens when Jesus is in charge of a situation. When we are in charge the
best we can do is make a fair show in the flesh.

Can we learn from this? How often do we set about to do great things
for the Lord, and then wonder why they don't happen? Could it be that
we aren't getting our instructions in prayer.

Someone once asked the Chinese Christian how he was able to bring
so many people to Jesus. He said, "I talkee, talkee, talkee. Then I
walkee, walkee, walkee." His point was before he begin witnessing, he
got together with Jesus. Then when he went, Jesus went with him.
What a simple and yet profound truth.

The apostle Paul describes this great truth. He says, "I have been
crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Gal 2:20)

Vs41: "And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the
saints and widows, he presented her alive."

.... Peter calls the believers back to the upper room, and there before
them stands this precious disciple of Jesus Christ. She had been
made whole. And you can be sure that whatever medical condition
resulted in her demise, that condition was no longer present in her
body.

Vs42,43: " It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the
Lord. And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named
Simon."

.... Again we see the pattern of 'many' conversions as a result of a
miracle. The Lord knows that the Jewish harvest has to have it's
miracle element, and this is exactly what He provides.

But this is another reason the Jewish people of that time were left
without excuse. Signs and wonders followed the apostles and others
of the apostolic band. These signs and wonders continued to affirm
that Jesus was truly Messiah.

The apostle Paul later writes, "For indeed Jews ask for signs and
Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a
stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the
called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the
wisdom of God." (1Co1:22-24)

The study is open.

Shalom in Christ,

Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

"See to it that no one comes short of the grace
of God; that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)


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