A LADY WHO WOULDN’T STAY DEAD May 5, 2013

Acts 9: Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Acts 8:25– “So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.” Acts 8:25– “So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.” Lydda is Lod from the Old Testament. Originally a part of the land of the Benjamites Lydda is Lod from the Old Testament. Originally a part of the land of the Benjamites Apparently this was a haven for Christians who were beginning to feel the persecution that had begun in Jerusalem. Apparently this was a haven for Christians who were beginning to feel the persecution that had begun in Jerusalem. Maybe Peter is traveling through here seeking to strengthen the Christians here as he had in Samaria. Maybe Peter is traveling through here seeking to strengthen the Christians here as he had in Samaria.

Aeneas. Suffering paralysis for eight years (Possible to understand the Greek to mean “since he was eight”) Aeneas. Suffering paralysis for eight years (Possible to understand the Greek to mean “since he was eight”) Peter’s statement: “Jesus Christ heals you”, or “healed” Peter’s statement: “Jesus Christ heals you”, or “healed” “Arise, and make your bed” is literally in the original “arise, and set the table for yourself” “Arise, and make your bed” is literally in the original “arise, and set the table for yourself” The connection between healing and eating: Jairus’ daughter; or Paul (9:18-19) The connection between healing and eating: Jairus’ daughter; or Paul (9:18-19) Note the parallel between this, and Jesus healing the paralyzed man in Mark 2. Note the parallel between this, and Jesus healing the paralyzed man in Mark 2. And, note the results. (The “Sharon” reference is to the plains of the Sharon valley.) And, note the results. (The “Sharon” reference is to the plains of the Sharon valley.)

Acts 9: 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. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38 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 is twelve miles west northwest of Lydda. It is the modern Jaffa, a suburb of Tel Aviv. Joppa is twelve miles west northwest of Lydda. It is the modern Jaffa, a suburb of Tel Aviv. Originally a part of the tribe of Dan Originally a part of the tribe of Dan During Solomon’s day, the cedars of Lebanon which were used in the construction of the temple were floated/shipped there. During Solomon’s day, the cedars of Lebanon which were used in the construction of the temple were floated/shipped there. Jonah had boarded his ship there to flee from the Lord Jonah had boarded his ship there to flee from the Lord

Tabitha (Arabic), or Dorcas (Greek), both mean “gazelle” Tabitha (Arabic), or Dorcas (Greek), both mean “gazelle” She is the second woman named in the book since the incident of Pentecost She is the second woman named in the book since the incident of Pentecost FF Bruce: “She spent all her time in the performance of good works and acts of kindness.” FF Bruce: “She spent all her time in the performance of good works and acts of kindness.” First account we have in Acts of a Christian dying a natural death. (Ananias and Sapphira, Stephen, next James, all violent deaths. First account we have in Acts of a Christian dying a natural death. (Ananias and Sapphira, Stephen, next James, all violent deaths. Manner and cause of her death not given Manner and cause of her death not given Even very godly people die!! Even very godly people die!!

In Jerusalem, the law required burial to be on the same day one died (as per 5:6 & 10). That does not seem to be applied to the outlining areas, or to other towns and villages. In Jerusalem, the law required burial to be on the same day one died (as per 5:6 & 10). That does not seem to be applied to the outlining areas, or to other towns and villages. The Jewish custom of burial The Jewish custom of burial Was placed “in state” for viewing in the upper room Was placed “in state” for viewing in the upper room “Do not delay” likely wanted him there before her burial. Interesting….. “Do not delay” likely wanted him there before her burial. Interesting….. No indication they expected him to resurrect her. No indication they expected him to resurrect her. No apostle had done so before, and only one time after does this occur No apostle had done so before, and only one time after does this occur So, why? So, why?

Acts 9: 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. 40 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. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Approximately 3-4 hours for the men to arrive in Joppa. Another 3-4 for Peter to return with them. Approximately 3-4 hours for the men to arrive in Joppa. Another 3-4 for Peter to return with them. What happens in that upper room: What happens in that upper room: The widows (other widows?) showing off their garments Dorcus had made for them The widows (other widows?) showing off their garments Dorcus had made for them Showing is a Greek term which might well mean “wearing” Showing is a Greek term which might well mean “wearing” Weeping Weeping

Notice: Peter “turns to the body” Notice: Peter “turns to the body” But they had been showing him the garments she made “while she was with them” But they had been showing him the garments she made “while she was with them” Body—not with them! Helps us understand the nature of death. Body—not with them! Helps us understand the nature of death. What happens next raises a questions What happens next raises a questions Why her and not Stephen? Or so many others? Why her and not Stephen? Or so many others? How does Peter decide on this occasion to do this? How does Peter decide on this occasion to do this?

Notice these parallels: Remember Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21ff)? Remember Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21ff)? Jesus sent people from the room Jesus sent people from the room “Talitha kumi” and “Tabitha kumi” “Talitha kumi” and “Tabitha kumi” “Little girl” and “little gazelle” “Little girl” and “little gazelle” Jesus gave her his hand and helped her up Jesus gave her his hand and helped her up Jesus told them to get her something to eat Jesus told them to get her something to eat But also, with Aeneas: “take up your pallet” But also, with Aeneas: “take up your pallet”

Acts 9: It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

The result: many “turned to the Lord” The result: many “turned to the Lord” Peter “turned to the Lord for power” Peter “turned to the Lord for power” The disciples “turned to the Lord for comfort” The disciples “turned to the Lord for comfort” The people “turned to the Lord for salvation” The people “turned to the Lord for salvation” Peter lodges with Simon, a tanner Peter lodges with Simon, a tanner This is significant, for it involved touching a dead animal, with rendered one unclean under the Law. So, the stage is set for next week! This is significant, for it involved touching a dead animal, with rendered one unclean under the Law. So, the stage is set for next week!