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Acts Part 15: Jesus Christ Heals You

Acts 9:32-43 NIV

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

The Continuation of the Work of Jesus in the Church (cf. Acts 1:1; 10:38)

Aenas in Lydda (vv. 32-35)

  1. As Peter traveled about: Peter went about strengthening the churches in the broader Palestinian region (cf. 8:25)
  2. The Lord’s people who lived in Lydda: A church that formed in a village about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, either after Pentecost or the scattering that resulted from Stephen’s persecution.
  3. Jesus Christ heals you: The Greek aoristic present tense may be expressed as “This moment Jesus Christ heals you.”
  4. Get up: A command is issued, and faith is required to obey.
  5. All those who saw him… turned to the Lord: As we have seen in the ministry of Jesus, and continue in the church, the pattern is that signs and wonders- most notably miraculous healing- creates and audience and prepares their hearts to receive the Word of the Lord.

Dorcas in Joppa (vv. 36-43)

  1. In Joppa: A seaport city 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
  2. A disciple named Tabitha: The only time, mathetria, the feminine form of matheteo (disciple) appears in the NT. Tabitha’s care for the poor, including her sowing and mending clothes for them, provide another portrait of ministry and of spiritual gifts for serving the Body of Christ (cf. Romans 12:5-8).
  3. “Please come at once!”: Having heard of Aeneas’ healing, the other disciples believed that the healing power of Jesus might also be enough to raise their dear sister.
  4. Get up: The same command issued to Aeneas, now to a dead woman. Even the dead must hear and obey the call of Christ to rise (cf. Mark 5:41).
  5. Many people believed in the Lord: As with Aeneas in Lydda, the miraculous raising of Tabitha served to spread the Word and make new disciples. Jesus was truly at work strengthening and building His church!

Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus