Acts 9:32-43
Notes
Transcript
Notice the Change in Chapter
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
This is the completion of the assignment given in Acts 1.8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The rest of book of Acts is the explanation of how the Gospel is going to the “uttermost part of the earth.” Understand Luke is not giving us a task incomplete at the end of Acts he is giving us the assignment and continued fulfillment of that task.
Grab ahold here this will explain the reason these next two accounts are in this book.
In fact there are two accounts run side by side. Each are a transition and the give the answer as to how Peter sets the Gospel loose on teh Gentiles. These like the bulk of Acts are a geographical explanation. We have to get Peter to a place on the map and Luke is connecting Peter to the events that transpire.
Note: This is one of the reasons that we can be assured of the authenticity of the book of Acts. Because the first church would have held to these letters and unlike today 2,000 years ago these were still systems, peoples, and locations that could be certified as true. Don’t underestimate the value of having the name of a place or person or what their home was like or how many people were there these are non-fungible. You can’t make these up without someone noticing that you have altered the time or place.
Two Healings
Two Cities
The first is in the city Lydda
There a man who has been sick with palsy for eight years. His name Aeneas and he is healed with the simple declaration…
“Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed, And he arose immediately.” 34
Notice the result…
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
A whole town of Jewish people turn to Christ.
City of Joppa (yes, Jonah’s Joppa)
Tabitha nicknamed Dorcas - not from the word Dork.
It is from the greek word meaning “gazelle” or graceful…
In fact that is the report of this woman’s character.
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 know of this woman that she has embraced her role as a born again believer. She has found it true that we are not just born again to a generic life that is not bad. But that our works represent the nature of God coming out in us.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The Bible tells us that she dies. They send for Peter some three hours away. and he comes to the funeral. There is no indication that what happens is what was expected. In otherwords it was a great treasure to have an Apostle close by. These folks were overjoyed at the potential of having one who walked closely with Jesus at Tabitha’s funeral. Remember this is a people that because of their view of God they held the death of someone in high regard. This wasn’t so for ever nationality in that time. But keep in mind that is true today.
John Quinlan tells of people in Southeast Asia leaving the dead on the side of the road for days on end. Even more so among the ancients that deny the image of God in every person. Who did human sacrifice and mutilation.
Tabitha would have been washed and laid in state. With news of Peter being close by they would send for Him so that he may offer words of condolences and hope. Instead when Peter arrives he models the experience on something that he sees Jesus do with Jarius daughter. (Mark 5.35-43)
Notice the result of such a miracle:
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
NOTICE AGAIN:
the reaction of the Saved
the miracle in Christ’s name
the presence of the Holy Spirit
Notice the fields Jesus said that they were white already unto harvest. That is not to say that all harvest fields are white. But when Jesus looked up on the House of Israel he could see that many were ready for the Gospel. This was done because of the presence of the Law of God entwined in their life. The writing of the law on the door posts and walls of the home. Observance of the Torah and passover made them ready…
And one other element that these two passages point too.
…the souls that were saved were in towns wheere teh church was participating in open good works.
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.
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.
You may be saying well what about Lydda?
There weren’t any good works done there. Actually, notice the opener to verse 32
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
This is the first time in Scripture where the word “Saint” is used in connection to the born again believers.
I can tell someone with a Catholic church upbringing may be saying. Wait, aren’t saints people who have died and then did miracles, and then voted on by the Cardinals (not the baseball team), then ratified by the Vicar of Christ also known as the Pope.
HA
If that is your definition of Saint your gonna want to wait to read the Bible. Because Scripture says you are the Saints if you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
By the way Peter has a lofty view of the born again position.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
You see we have this messed up view of what it means to be God’s people. That word saint doesn’t mean perfect it means different. The city of Lydda could see that there was something different about the followers of Jesus Christ.
Hard times would come - they walked Closer to God
All they had taken away - they were less devoted to this world
Persecution comes - they tell about Jesus more
Generosity for Cruelty
Kindness for Threats
Good deeds for their enemies
Prayers for those that would used them.
These saints were living out Jesus in front of them and when Peter saw it he says, I know where this comes from. Because he heard the Saviors voice as it echoed through the valley.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
What a transformation that by his
Justification
Mercy
Patience
Sanctification
Jesus could take the sinfulest of the sinful and make a saint. He could take the wicked and make a warrior. Understand that God’s grace wasn’t working with better sinners. He was working through the same grace that is alive and real in your life. That same grace is working daily to make you a saint that through you good deeds and being Jesus to a world that will repay your kindness with hatred you participate in making the fields ready for harvest.
I love the grace that this passage concludes with.
You want to see the transformation in its purest form. The man Peter who rebuked our Savior at the discussion of Death.
The man Peter who promised never to deny no matter what anyone else would do.
The man who pushed Children away from Jesus
The man who questioned the woman that touch Jesus feet.
This same man is staying in the home of Simon the Tanner.
Do you know what a tanner does? He works with dead skins all day everyday. And therefore would have been unclean and never given permission to go to the Temple. He was an outcast and ignored by the Temple elites. To Simon that would have been a big deal. But to Peter he knows that the transformation that Jesus does is not started on the outside it is done by the complete work of Christ in the heart.
You find this once judgmental disciple is a grace-filled Apostle knowing that good works are not a way to the Father. They are a result of having been with the Father.
