GOD BLESSES PETER’S MINISTRY

Passage: Acts 9:32-43

Key verse: 40

NIV

Aeneas and Dorcas

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(A) 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.(B) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(C) saw him and turned to the Lord.(D)

36 In Joppa(E) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(F) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(G) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(H) 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(I) 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;(J) then he got down on his knees(K) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(L) 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.(M) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(N)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Healing of Aeneas

32 Now (A)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, (B)Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 (C)And all the residents of Lydda and (D)Sharon saw him, and (E)they turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 Now there was in (F)Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas.[a] She was full of (G)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 (H)an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, (I)“Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to (J)the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[b] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (K)put them all outside, and (L)knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body (M)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 (N)many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days (O)with one Simon, a tanner.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Acts 9:36 The Aramaic name Tabitha and the Greek name Dorcas both mean gazelle
  2. Acts 9:39 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Peter, the good shepherd traveled around taking care of Jesus' flock. Peter spoke to a bedridden man named Aeneas in the name of Jesus. The man was healed by Jesus; he immediately got up. Those who saw Aeneas' healing turned to the Lord.

The believers in a nearby town named Joppa had been greatly blessed by a disciple named Tabitha. She especially cared for a community of widows. Then tragically, she died. The believers in Joppa sent for Peter to do something. The faith of the Christians in Joppa was amazing--they didn't give up, even in the face of death. Even though her body was prepared for burial, they believed that if Peter prayed for her, God would raise her from the dead. Peter got down on his knees and prayed. Then he spoke to the dead woman. She opened her eyes and sat up. He presented her alive to the believers, especially to the widows who were surely praying for a miracle. Again, the people put their faith in the Lord Jesus.

Prayer: Father, bless our ministry with good shepherds who bring healing and new life. Help us all to increase our faith in the Lord Jesus.

One Word: A good shepherd who brings healing and life, and turns people to the Lord