Acts 9:31-43

Brief introduction to myself

Pray

Brief overview of the lesson this morning

Christ heals and gives life all for his glory

If you would open up your Bibles with me to Acts 9:31-43

The Word of the Lord says this,

Acts 9:31–42 (ESV)

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, 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. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Verse 31 is a significant milestone in the book of Acts.

If we can remember back to Acts 1:8 Jesus tell his disciples

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

This verse in chapter 9 is showing us that God’s plan is unfolding by his power and his servant’s obedience. The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace. They have spiritual peace with God, and potential physical peace as the persecution may have been dying down.

These churches walked in the fear of the Lord, meaning they wholeheartedly and reverently kept God’s Word. They also took comfort in the Spirit the one who has sealed their inheritance, knowing now that their future hope is sure. In both, the church began to multiply.

God’s good plan to bring salvation to the ends of the earth is unfolding before our eyes in the book of Acts. This plan continues to unfold as Peter enters into the land of Lydda.

Look back down with me to chapter 9 verses 32-35.

God’s Word says

Acts 9:32–35 (ESV)

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Healing to the Lame (vv. 32-35)

Peter know makes his way to Lydda. The apostles and most of the disciples of Jesus have spent most of their time in Jerusalem up to this point. However, when the stoning of Stephen happened in chapter 7, persecution started to rise against the church.

Luke 24:47 (ESV)

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Acts 8:1 (ESV)

1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The apostles remained in Jerusalem, despite the persecution, but were soon called upon to come and see the work of the Lord in Samaria. Acts 8:14 says

Acts 8:14 (ESV)

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,

And soon after they arrived they departed, Acts 8:25 says

Acts 8:25 (ESV)

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

In our text, it says that Peter went “here and there among them all” referring his visiting of the faithful to the regions of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria mentioned in verse 31. Peter has been a major player in evangelism and the building up of the churches in all places.

Continuing his path back to Jerusalem Peter stops on the road to Jerusalem to visit the saints in Lydda. As he does, he comes upon the paralyzed man Aeneas, which seems to have been paralyzed from a stroke or accident since he has been paralyzed for 8 years. this hints at the fact that there was no recovery in sight for Aeneas.

Peter sees this man and declares that Jesus the Christ heals him, and Peter urges the man to stand up, make his bed, and walk.

This is a direct correlation to when Jesus healed the paralyzed man in Luke 5:18-26. Let me briefly read this passage for us in Luke.

Luke 5:18–26 (ESV)

And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Not only does this passage connect closely with Lukes gospel, but also just a couple chapters before in Acts.

In Acts 3, Peter also heals the lame man at the temple. Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1–10 (ESV)

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Each of these miracles has a few things in common.

First, the source or power to conduct the healing is always Jesus the Christ. Following the healing of the lame man at the temple Peter says in Acts 4:10-12

Acts 4:10–12 (ESV)

10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Lord Jesus healed many in his earthly ministry and continues to heal through his servant Peter all for the sake of his glory.

The second theme that remains consistent throughout these miracles is the response to the miracles of the person healed and those who in some way witness the healing. They are rejoicing in God, and turning to the Lord Christ in faith.

The Lord Jesus heals to prove that he is the one true Lord, the One who has power over everything. He really is the Christ prophesied about in the OT, and he is showing this to the Jewish people in Lydda and Sharon, and their response of faith is fitting for what they are seeing.

Christ’ intention in these miracles is to bring glory to himself, and bring renewed joy to his people as they enter into relationship with him.

We see Christ doing the same in the second miracle in our text. Look down with me to verses 36 through 43. God’s Word says this...

Acts 9:36–43 (ESV)

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, 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. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

Life to the Dead (vv. 36-43)

Instead of burying Tabitha right after they cleansed her, they decided to leave her in the upper room and call out to Peter. In faith, these people in Joppa quickly called out to Peter to potentially save the beloved and faithful Tabitha. These people must have heard that the Christ was healing people through his servants as it says in Acts 5:15-16

Acts 5:15–16 (ESV)

15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Without question, Peter goes with these folks and meets the widows in the upper room. In showing them their tunics, they are showing Peter the faithfulness of Tabitha to care for the widows in her city, which is proof of her good works and acts of charity mentioned in verse 36.

Then, one of the most striking miracles recorded in Acts happens. Peter, through the power of Jesus Christ, raises Tabitha from the dead. This should remind us of Jesus raising Lazarus, Jairus’s daughter, and the widow’s son back to life.

After each of these amazing miracles, many are baffled and some believe that Jesus is the Christ. This is exactly what we see in this passage. Notice that after Peter raises Tabitha from the dead, the people don’t worship Peter. They believe in the Lord. They know that it was only the Lord Christ that has this power and utilized his servant Peter as the instrument.

This is exactly what we talked about in the last miracle. Peter is merely the instrument that Jesus uses to show his power through. He is once again showing the Jewish people that he is the Christ and they ought to believe in Him, and that’s exactly what happens.

As promised, the church continues to grow amongst the Israelites. In the coming weeks, we will see the church expanding far beyond Israel’s territory to all the nations of the earth, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile all for the glory of God and the good of his people.

I have two applications for us to ponder today.

1. Let the miracles of Jesus strengthen our faith that he really is the Christ. Jesus really is the Christ that was prophesied about in the OT. He really is the true and better Adam, the prophet like Moses, the King that will forever reign on throne. He really is the One who has accomplished redemption on our behalf. He really is the perfect sacrifice that didn’t remain dead. He really is our priest before the throne of God who continues to make intercession for his people in this already not-yet age. Christ Jesus has really saved us from eternal judgment and giving us life in his name.

2. While not as dramatic as Tabitha’s resurrection, we too have been brought from death to life. Our Triune God has done a miracle in each of our lives. He has changed our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, he has freed us from our enslavement to sin, and he has saved us from eternal judgment and given us everlasting life in him.

Let us be quick to rehearse the Lord’s saving power in our lives.

When we wake up in the morning, let us be reminded that we no longer are enslaved to sin, but we are now free to turn from sin by the power of the Spirit. Let us look into the mirror and remember that we are children of God, called beloved before the Father because of Christ.

Prayer Prompts for the Sunday School:

The Lord would use the teaching, preaching, singing, reading, and singing of the Word to strengthen our faith in Him.

As our faith is strengthened, we would be quick to share the good news of Christ to the lost and dying communities we find ourselves in, and that we would be moved to support servants going out for the sake of the Name domestically and internationally.

(We would go out faithfully, and support other work faithfully)

As we share faithfully, the Lord would grant salvation to those who hear and they too would mature in their faith.