ETB Acts 9:32-43
Cedric Chafee
ETB Summer 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Session 11 - p.100 - Healing
God’s only plan for the spreading of the gospel is the verbal witness of His people through the power of the Holy Spirit. As mentioned, Acts 1:8 serves as a summary of Acts, including Jesus’s call for His disciples to serve as His witnesses throughout the world. In Romans 10, the apostle Paul wrote that the gospel cannot move forward unless people share it. It should be our ambition to take the gospel to those who need to know Jesus (Rom. 15:20). [LifeWay Adults (2024). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Spring 2024]
Before you can get people to hear your witness, you have to get their attention and trust. That is what the miracles being done by the apostles and disciples in the early days of the church did. It got God’s power noticed and gave authority to His messengers.
Today most healing that is seen is accomplished through medical personnel and professions.
Ask: What relationship do you see between God’s supernatural healing and the work of physicians? How should we pray regarding our health? (PSG, p. 100)
God is the source of all knowledge. They would still be witch doctors without His enlightenment.
Today’s passage however is directly attributed to God’s work through His people and for His glory.
Understand the Context
Understand the Context
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.
After his conversion to Christ and the end of his introductory story in Acts, we read.
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.
This spirit of peace is what allowed the apostles to travel more freely to those who had been scattered and encourage them in the faith. Luke’s account now goes back to Peter in these travels.
Explore the Text
Explore the Text
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.
Went here and there
Earlier Luke had said that persecution had scattered the disciples, except for the apostles (8:1). However, he now shared that Peter had been on the move, preaching the gospel and encouraging disciples. The fact that Peter was traveling outside of Jerusalem is one of the first indicators that all the apostles were being intentional about obeying Jesus’s command to spread the gospel to other regions (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Just as in the first century, missionary efforts today require both intentionality and action. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Saints is not a New Testament word to described God’s people or “holy ones.” Peter is fulfilling the Lord’s role as given in the Proverbs.
Proverbs 2:8 “8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”
In popular culture, saints often describes particularly serious-minded and dedicated Christians. The Roman Catholic Church has institutionalized the process of becoming a saint and only people who have performed miracles and been dead for many years are eligible. However, in the New Testament, “saint” includes all of the Lord’s people. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
lived at Lydda
We have a “Y” in our English translation of this city name, but it is a “u” sound in the Greek.
Acts Chapter 9
It was called by the Greeks Diospolis, or city of Jupiter, probably because a temple was at some period erected to Jupiter in that city. It is now so entirely ruined as to be a miserable village. Since the Crusades, it has been called by the Christians St. George, on account of its having been the scene of the martyrdom of a saint of that name. Tradition says that in this city the Emperor Justinian erected a church.
Peter was not on a crusade to heal the sick. His primary focus was on preaching the gospel. Still, the healing of Aeneas would be a sign that pointed people to the Jesus. This also reflects the healings performed by Jesus in the Gospels. When He healed, it was always for the purpose of validating His claim as Messiah. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
There definitely a benefit to the person being healed, but it always pointed toward the greater eternal healing of the spirit that was being offered. That part of the reason that Peter made sure everyone watching knew “who” was doing the healing.
Jesus Christ heals you
Aeneas did not ask to be healed, and Peter did not ask anything of Aeneas before he healed him. The power of healing did not depend on any faith Aeneas could have mustered or in anything Peter could say or do. The power came from Jesus, the same power that makes all of His followers His witnesses. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
KJV - makes thee whole
This miracle worked in his body and spirit, restoring both to God's intent and fellowship.
Jesus did his part, now you do yours by acting in faith and making your bed, or more literally roll up your mat.
immediately he rose
Luke uses Mark’s favorite word.
Aeneas acts instantly, without delay. I wish I could do that when God’s asks things of me, but I’m usually still debating on the validity of the request by the time the opportunity passes. Not Aeneas, Peter said the Jesus wanted him to stand and get to work and without any hesitation that is exactly what he did.
It was because of this faith and immediate action that so many others learned about the Lord’s work in his life.
Reflect: Encourage the group to think about whether they are or have been prayers, doers, observers, or recipients when it comes to their faith. Challenge them to consider how God might be wanting them to move to a different category as they grow closer to Him.
Look what happened when both Peter and Aeneas fulfilled their roles given by God.
all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him
There did not seem to be a determiner in the Greek text, but it is inferred by the context.
Not everyone in all of the city and all the surrounding region turned to the Lord, but all the residents “that” saw him did.
Aeneas was a useful tool for the Gospel message and was used by the Lord to affect every person that saw him walking around.
Ask: What might it take for a city to turn to Jesus today? How can you help reach your community for Christ? (PSG, p. 103)
The same thing it took back then - an act of God.
We only have 3 verses in Scripture to learn about this man, but what an impact. Peter was an apostle, Aeneas was a disciple, and an entire region of Judea was turning to the Lord because of them. Bad news may travel faster today, but it seems that good news traveled faster back then and the next town over needed God to work in their midst too.
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.”
Joppa
ee-op-pay. If you saw the Raiders of the Lost Ark movies, in the third one you here about a different spelling of the word “Jehovah.” There is no “J” in the Greek, so it is an “I” in the manuscripts. Greek like other European languages pronounce most of the letters in a word, and often differently than we do.
A coastal city located about 10 miles northwest of Lydda (v. 38), Joppa was the most important port city in Judea. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
If you have access to a concordance or software to do some searches with, I encourage you to look at all the instances this city appears in Scripture.
The most well-known reference is probably Jonah.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Ten: Peter’s Miracle Ministry (Acts 9:32–10:48)
Jonah went to Joppa to avoid going to the Gentiles, but Peter in Joppa received his call to go to the Gentiles!
Luke next introduced his readers to a disciple named Tabitha. She was also known as Dorcas, which Luke probably included for his Greek readers.
full of good works and acts of charity.
NJB - Never tired of doing good or giving.
Isn't that how all of us should be?
Ephesians 2:10 “10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Colossians 1:10 “10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
Ask: Why was it important for Luke to describe the character of Tabitha (Dorcas)? What would you want someone to say about your life? (PSG, p. 105)
Good works point people to Jesus, as do integrity, godly character, and generosity. By describing her godly character, Luke emphasized how the Holy Spirit transforms believers.
All Christ followers should strive to be transformed by the Holy Spirit so we can be a blessing to those around us. Good works can also draw nonbelievers toward faith in Christ. As James pointed out, faith is impotent unless it’s put into practice through good works (Jas. 2:26). [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
In those days
In which days? Those of Peter’s “wanderings”.
she became ill and died
Luke the physician tells us what the problem was with Aeneas, but the Dorcas it does not matter what the ailment was. The important part is that it led to her death. Because the wording leading into this fact, we are not sure of how long this illness was. Did it start when Peter started visiting all the churches? Again, Luke could have told us this but that part was not important, what was is that after her death people were missing her dearly and respected her enough to prepare her body for burial.
We do not read of a husband or other family, who would normally perform these rites, so her neighbors and the widows were apparently doing this. Luke instead of focusing on the physical is showing us the social and spiritual impact this woman was having by doing her “good works and acts of charity.” It is a wonderful testimony to her love of her community and their returning that love, through honoring her in death.
But they also were believers and knew that this was not truly the end. Some even may have had faith that this was not even her end on earth.
In the Gospels, Peter had been anything but “the Rock” of stability that his nickname implied. Now, Peter was truly providing a stable influence for the young church. When the disciples in Joppa discovered that he was in the area, they wanted him to help them. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”
Whether there was more said or not to convince Peter to come quickly, this was apparently that part that he remembered and communicated with Luke for him to write it down. Something in the men’s desperation, or the Spirit’s prompting to heed and act, or a combination therein, led to Peter resigning to their urgent plea.
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.
And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room
It is not communicated in the Scripture directly, but somewhere along the way they must have told Peter what they were expecting of him. It is not written if the wanted him to heal her or resurrect her. The fact that they took him to the “upper room” though solidifies that she was already dead, and the burial process had begun well before he arrived.
showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made
Apparently, one act of charity that Tabitha performed was sewing garments for needy widows. An African proverb states that “a hungry man has no ears”, which means that it’s hard to hear and receive the good news if you have unmet physical needs. Good works do not have the power to save givers or receivers. However, they powerfully demonstrate Christ’s love and can open doors for sharing Jesus. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Why would they bring spare clothes to a funeral?
Proverbs 31:31 “31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
These were tangible proofs of Tabitha’s spirit filled ministry to her community. Pastor Steve has talked about doing interviews with families before a funeral for someone he does know well. These ladies were prepared to show Peter before he got there that she was a godly woman who deserved his compassion.
put them all outside
This is what Jesus did before healing the little girl. It is also what Elisha did when he healed the Shunammite son. Both of these stories would have been familiar to Peter, and the rest of the crowd.
knelt down and prayed
I personally do not think Peter knew what God wanted him to do until this moment. This is another good story telling tactic by Luke by not mentioning what was expected by the disciples. The choice of action was not revealed until God had communed with his servant alone in the upper room.
Ask: What are some things believers are hesitant to pray for? Why? (PSG, p. 107)
Is there anything “too small” to pray about?
I had this discussion with Laura this past week. God is perfect and as such He cannot become “irritated” by your questions or prayers. He even tells us to “bring everything” to Him in prayer and to “pray without ceasing.” Nothing that concerns you or would cause you fear or hesitation is too small for God to encourage and protect you from. He may chastise your fears as distrust in Him, but never your bringing them to Him.
Tabitha, arise.
This may be good story telling, or literally all that Peter said. Short and simple. Just like her death. “ill and died” to “Tabitha arise.”
when she saw Peter she sat up
Maybe she recognized him from one of his previous trips through town. I think if I woke up with a strange person next to my bed I would sit up quickly too.
known throughout all Joppa, and many believed
How is this similar to Aeneas’ effect on his town?
How is it different?
Why do you think Tabitha’s miracle testimony was less impactful? Was it because she was a women in ancient Judea and not “trusted” in her testimony?
This may have been a little more good story telling and providing a contrast between the miracle’s effects. I think speaks more about the people’s hearts and willingness to yield than it does about the miracles “effectiveness.” God is the one that did the miracle, both in Aeneas and Dorcas, but also in the hearts of all those that turned to the Lord. These were some of the good soils. Joppa yields 100-fold, Lydda yielded only 60fold or so, but both were profitable to God.
with one Simon, a tanner.
Tanners were considered ritually unclean because they worked with dead animals. The fact that Peter was staying with Simon suggests that he was beginning to understand that the gospel is not based on ethnicity or religious rituals. [ETB:ALG Spr'24]
Later we find out that Simon’s home is located by the sea. Peter may have found comfort in being able to look out over the ocean and reminisce about his home in Capernaum on another sea. He may have even gone fishing.
Staying in this home though for more than a visit is a change from the devout Jew beliefs. We do not read about his commitment to being separate from Gentiles while Jesus is on the earth, but he gets caught in the act by Paul later.
More good story telling by Luke. God did a miracle in the bodies of Aeneas and Dorcas, the hearts of the people of Joppa and Lydda, and now also in the mind of Peter. God is in the life changing business, and His work in not finished yet.
Apply the Text
Apply the Text
Emphasize: Highlight the impact this miracle had on the church and community. Point out that when God works through His people, it always makes a difference in the world. Challenge adults to identify ways God wants to use them and to obey His leading.
