The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 1 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” Acts 9:32-35 Peter and Aeneas – “Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 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.” –There were saints already in Lydda (Lod of the OT – Ezra 2:33)! – scattered by persecution in Jerusalem –Aeneas (Greek) must have believed in the heal ing power of the Lord Jesus Christ, or did he? `

The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 2 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” But there was a command to perform an act – make your bed –Are you kidding me, I’ve been flat in bed for 8 years now? –A precedent set by the Lord Jesus Christ »Matt 9:6 Mark 2:9,11 John 5:10-12 This could have been simply evidence of the continuing healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ. –And all at Lydda and (plains of) Sharon turned to the Lord –Acts 11:21 - And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. This work of Peter NW of Jerusalem probably took place during Paul’s sojourn in Arabia. Acts 9:36-38 Peter is Called when Dorcas Died - “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,

The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 3 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” they laid it in an upper room. 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.” –Joppa (Jaffa today, a suburb of Tel Aviv) was ~10 miles NW of Lydda on the sea. The seaport of Jerusalem –Tabitha (gazelle) or Dorcas was a disciple always about doing good; her sewing for widows was exemplary – I Tim 2:9,10. Apparently it was customary for Jews in a seaport town to have both a Jewish and Greek name. –Dorcas died and her body was washed, but not buried and burned, but placed in the upper room – why? A place where the saints gathered? Two men were sent to implore Peter to come – he must have been developing a reputation.

The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 4 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” Acts 9:39-43 – Peter Raises Dorcas from the Dead “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. 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. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.” –Death is separation from God but it’s still death!

The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 5 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” –Peter witnessed the love of Dorcas by the presence of the weeping widows and the many hanging garments she had sown. –Why did Peter send everyone out of the room? He then shut the door, knelt and prayed – necessary? –Yes, he was the lowly servant and this indicated his reliance was on the Lord Jesus and the power of the HS. –Elisha and the dead child – II Kings 4:31-36 –And she opened her eyes and sat up This all happened quickly As Peter witnessed his Lord do to his own mother-in-law - Mark 1:31. –Only one other example after the Gospel account of raising someone from the dead – Acts 20:9-10 And is this still happening today? –The result - It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. A similar effect followed when Jesus raised up Lazarus - John 12:11.

The Acts of the Apostles June 1, 2014 Bob Eckel 6 Acts 9:32-43 “Peter’s Ministry” –Why did Peter hang around Joppa and who is Simon the tanner? Simon’s house was by the seaside – Acts 10:6 Tanners were looked upon unfavorably because they worked with the skins of dead animals. –A witness of Peter’s freedom in Christ? »Surpassing Jewish prejudice In summary, this was a time of the expanding body of Christ, of miracles, and the expanding boyd of Christ!