Untitled Sermon (10)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
In the reading of Acts one is reminded of a movie where the story jumps from one character to another and where multiple character and story lines and characters run parallel until their then converge into one story. One wonders why Luke went from last mentioning Peter in 8:25, then to Phillip and then to Paul and now back to Peter, but I believe that the focus on Peter at this point and leading building in chapter 10 with Peter’s vision of the sheet and the unclean animals, was to show that this Saul this “untimely born apostle to the gentiles” had equal authority as the rest of the apostles that the message whether to the Jews carried largely by Peter and James, or to the Gentiles by Paul was the same Gospel, same faith, same salvation, same risen Christ, same body in which they are baptized into, same church. So it is important that Luke builds and establishes the authority of Paul through the leader of the chief of the apostles namely Peter.
This is further confirmed by Paul’s words in Galatians 2:11-14
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
As we look at our passage this morning it reminds of what we have been seeking to cement in our minds all throughout the book of Acts that this is the ACTS OF THE RISEN LORD JESUS. Luke open his letter with the words Acts 1:1-2
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
and so it should be no surprise to us that when God speaks today he speaks not through Popes or councils, or church tradition, but through the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
So when we look at this passage we see that there was no inherent power in Peter himself. He did not heal this man or raise Tabitha from the dead, it was Jesus. Verse 9 cannot be clearer “ Jesus Christ heals you.” and the fact that Peter prayed in verse 40 for the raising of Tabitha confirm that it was not Peter, he has merely the instrument. When some one comes and plays the harp or the piano or the trombone or bells we clap and praise the instruments but musician. The source and power is not Peter but Christ.
The Spirit, who was the author of all miracles, and which wrought by the hand of Peter, did even then direct his tongue, and did move his heart by a secret inspiration. And in these words Peter showeth plainly that he is only the minister of the miracle, and that it proceedeth from the power of Christ; that he may by this means extol the name of Christ alone. John Calvin
Though this is not the norm today. We do not see such miracles as this in modern day. The healing of the lame, and raising men or women from the dead. The miracles where for a sign to validate and authenticate the message of the apostles as the gospel went out to the nations.
Application: This is not to say that we are not healed by the word of the Lord, but God can an does heal people, He is free to do so but with the passing of the apostolic authority with the disciples the word of God that is the cannon of scripture is complete and with it the outwards miracles and signs have ceased. Both of these miracles indeed miracles through out the scripture are closely connected with the conversion of people and groups.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
So whether God chooses to heal you or whether your suffering remains, it is for the glory of God.
The Roman Catholic church however would even to this day believe that the power of succession and authority does lie in a person other than Christ. Infact the Pope is called the vicar of Christ. the word vicar literally means “instead of” or “substitute”. Though we dare not diminish the importance of the apostles and their authority we also dare not make them authorities in and of themselves.
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by clear reason, for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves, I am bound by the Scriptures that I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot to do otherwise. Here I stand, God help me. Martin Luther Diet of Worms
Even in the this book we see that the authority of the Gospel and even the power to heal is not inheritant to the apostles, as others who are not apostles such a Phillip in Acts 8 are given the authority associated with the gospel in the early church namely the power to work miracles. Infact is is Phillip and the preaching of the gospel by him in the region that there were believers in the towns of Lydda, and Sharon and Joppa.
But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Certainly Joppa was a city on the route that Phillip took on his way to Caesarea. Luke does not give both Aeneas and Tabitha equal time. Infact he only devotes 3 verses to Aeneas verses 8 to Tabitha. We do not know much about Aeneas other than the fact that he was bedridden for 8 years. We don’t even know whether he was a believer at the time, though he likely was if not before then his salvation closely followed this miracle. I did a study of the miracles associated with Christ and the others in the scriptures, and I could not find a single miracle that was if not explicitly then implicitly connect with the faith of the one being healed. Often in scripture it is the faith of a person that heals them. So the likely hood that this was a man of faith is almost assured, but admittedly Luke is silent about this unlike his testimony about Tabitha whom he calls a disciple, one who is full of good works and charity.
If any one saith, that all works done before Justification, in whatsoever way they be done, are truly sins, or merit the hatred of God; or that the more earnestly one strives to dispose himself for grace, the more grievously he sins: let him be anathema. Council of Trent Cannon XII on Justification
Notice that her faith as a disciple preceded her works. She did not do good works so that she might be justified, her works were that which sprang forth from her justification. Good works come after faith and not before. Rome believes that justification springs forth from grace and good works. Let me be clear when we refer to works we mean not that man can do things that are good that even benefit others and himself. What we are saying is that man can do nothing to advance himself towards God in regards to salvation. He cannot please God or do anything that is of value for the spiritual life.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The same voice that Paul heard on the road to damascus that “I am” that slung him to the ground, and said arise and go to the street called straight, the same voice that called Lazarus from the dead, the same God who spoke though the prophet Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones and said “hear the word of the Lord, and they received breath and life, is the same voice that spoke through Peter.
And it is the same voice that speaks today when the Gospel is preached and God breathes new life into the one dead in his sins and trespasses.
So God was glorified in Tabitha in her life that she was full of good works a woman of faith and character a blessing to the community and the body of Christ, but also in her death, that the Son of God might show His awesome power, to raise the dead. He declares in this woman's second life that the Son is the author of life.