Welcome back, now we transition to Peter’s Ministry and there are great things to see in that one too. The Power of our God.
Lord Jesus, lead us and help us understand because I have never seen the power the apostles had in anyone else in my life, Lord. Help us. I suspect Your power has done more to change us directly, and in us these days You do all the work. So I praise You and thank You and ask you to lead.
Peter’s Ministry
Please read Acts 9:32-35
32 Now as Peter was traveling throughout the land, he went down to [visit] the [h]saints (God’s people) who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.
Definite power displayed here. Jesus is the authority over all and has all the power and He works within the people He loves. And those He loves are the faithful ones. So fire up your faith. And may He always work in and through us too.
More of God’s Power
Please read Acts 9:36-38
36 Now in [i]Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.”
Our God is Life and Power
39 So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the [j]tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then 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 helped her up; and then he called in the [k]saints (God’s people) and the widows, and he presented her [to them] alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior]. 43 And so it was that Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, [l]a tanner.
Footnotes
[h] saints – Acts 9:32 i.e. believers. All Christians are saints, set apart for God’s purpose.
[i] Joppa – Acts 9:36 A coastal suburb of Tel Aviv, known today as Jaffa.
[j] tunics – Acts 9:39 Or inner garments.
[k] saints – Acts 9:41 Or holy ones.
[l] a Tanner – Acts 9:43 The Jews considered this occupation “unclean.”
Oh the amazing things we can read in Scripture. And all of them are true. Praise Him for these healings, for bringing us healing, for giving us life eternal for helping us in this life and for revealing the need to trust and rely on Him in our every day. Amen and Amen.