Acts 9:32-43 E4 April 13 Gon only
Peter's Miracle Ministry at Joppa -- What was the greatest miracle that
God did through Peter in this passage?
The bodily healing? ; the raising of the dead ? Turn up Acts 9
It was tragic for the church at Joppa that Dorcas, a beloved member, who
was helping so many people, should die.
The widows whom she had helped surrounded Peter. They began to show
Peter the clothes Dorcas had made and given them. (They were actually
wearing the clothes she had made in her honor or because they had few or
no other clothes decent enough to wear publicly.)
1. A Great Miracle—Healing the Body (Acts 9:32-35)
The Apostle Peter had been engaged in an wandering ministry (Acts 8:25)
when he found himself visiting the saints in Lydda, a largely Gentile city
about twenty-five miles from Jerusalem.
May be this area had first been evangelized by people converted at
Pentecost, or perhaps by believers who had been scattered far and wide
during the great persecution.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Probably, Philip the evangelist had also ministered there (Acts 8:40).
There is no record up to this point in the book of Acts that any of the
Apostles had raised the dead. But, the believers in Joppa did not rush to
bury Dorcas as was the custom.
We know very little about Aeneas. How old was he? Did he believe on
Jesus Christ? Was he a Jew or a Gentile? All that Luke tells us is the man
had been lame for eight years.
They had heard about Peter being close by. Maybe they had heard about
the healing of the paralytic and had also heard and maybe some witnessed
Jesus Resurrection, and that he had raised the dead
Peter's first miracle (Acts 3), had been the healing of a crippled man and
now that miracle was repeated.
They had enough faith not to bury her, but to go for Peter and ask him to
come. The words "come at once" mean not to hesitate, not to be reluctant;
but to act and act now, quickly, without questioning.
Using the power and authority of the risen Lord Jesus, Peter brings
healing to Aeneas. He then uses similar words to those Jesus used when he
had healed a paralysed man in Matthew chapter 9 “take up your mat and
walk”.
The believers were in dead earnest, believing that the Lord could raise the
dead if it was His will to do so. What an enormous faith in the Jesus they
demonstrated.
The account of Peter's raising of Dorcas follows the pattern of Jesus’
raising of Jairus' daughter in Mark’s gospel, and similar to the miracles of
both Elijah and Elisha in the Old Testament.
2. A Greater Miracle—Raising the Dead (Acts 9:36-43)
Joppa, the modern Jaffa, is located on the sea-coast, some ten miles
beyond Lydda. You may recall Joppa being mentioned in the Old
Testament as the port where Jonah embarked when he tried to flee from
God (Jonah 1:1-3). Jonah went to Joppa to avoid going to the Gentiles, but
Peter, in Joppa received his call to go to the Gentiles!
3. The Greatest Miracle—Winning Lost Sinners (Acts 10:1-48)
Back to opening question -- the greatest miracle? -- NEITHER
Not normally the most spectacular, -- but the greatest... -- in terms of what
it cost and in terms of long-term effect ... was the salvation of the many
which we read about as a consequence of Peter’s actions
The results of the two physical miracles were that many believed and a
tremendous door was open for Peter to freely evangelize the area.
It was here in Joppa that God was to give him the vision that led to the
carrying of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1f). (which Peter was
started and then Paul took up, and the rest is history).
And whether accompanied by works of power or by the still small voice
and the conviction of God’s spirit in a person’s heart -- the greatest
miracle is someone being born from spiritual death into eternal life.
That is something which affects not just the here and now, but our eternal
destiny. And it is something for which Christ had to die.
Conclusion
In this section, we find Peter participating in all three miracles: he heals
Aeneas, he raises Dorcas from the dead, and he brings the message of
salvation to Joppa.
We may not feel up to the first to actions -- but we can all share in the
third one -- for Lydda and Joppa read Great Gonerby.
We can help to bring people to new life in Jesus.-- spiritual life.
and that same resurrection power that was with Peter as he performed
those specialmiracles is with us as we go out in Jesus name tell the good
news of God’s love and forgiveness.
Chapter Ten. Peter's Miracle Ministry
Acts 9:32-10:48
What is the greatest miracle that God can do for us?
The healing of the body
the raising of the dead.
The conversion to God of a person - saving of their soul.
Why? Because salvation costs the greatest price, it produces the greatest
results, and it brings the greatest glory to God.
In this section, we find Peter participating in all three miracles: he heals
Aeneas, he raises Dorcas from the dead, and he brings the message of
salvation to Cornelius and his household.
A Great Miracle—Healing the Body (Acts 9:32-35)
The Apostle Peter had been engaged in an itinerant ministry (Acts 8:25)
when he found himself visiting the saints in Lydda, a largely Gentile city
about twenty-five miles from Jerusalem. It is possible that the area had
first been evangelized by people converted at Pentecost, or perhaps by
faithful believers who had been scattered far and wide during the great
persecution. No doubt Philip the evangelist had also ministered there
(Acts 8:40).
We know very little about Aeneas. How old was he? Did he believe on
Jesus Christ? Was he a Jew or a Gentile? All that Dr. Luke tells us is the
man had been palsied for eight years, which meant he was crippled and
helpless. He was a burden to himself and a burden to others, and there was
no prospect that he would ever get well.
Peter's first miracle had been the healing of a crippled man (Acts 3), and
now that miracle was repeated. As you read the Book of Acts, you will see
parallels between the ministries of Peter and Paul. Both healed cripples.
Both were arrested and put into jail and were miraculously delivered. Both
were treated like gods (Acts 10:25-26; 14:8-18), and both gave a bold
witness before the authorities. Both had to confront false prophets (Acts
8:9-24; 13:6-12). No one reading the Book of Acts could end up saying, "I
am for Paul!" or "I am for Peter!" (1 Cor. 1:12) "But it is the same God
which worketh all in all" (1 Cor. 12:6).
The resurrected Christ, by the authority of His name, brought perfect
soundness to Aeneas (see Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10). The healing was
instantaneous, and the man was able to get up and make his bed. He
became a walking miracle! Acts 9:35 does not suggest that the entire
population of Lydda and Sharon were saved, but only all those who had
contact with Aeneas. Just seeing him walk around convinced them that
Jesus was alive and they needed to trust in Him. (See John 12:10-11 for a
similar instance.)
You can be sure that Peter did much more in Lydda than heal Aeneas, as
great and helpful as that miracle was. He evangelized, taught and
encouraged the believers, and sought to establish the church in the
faith. Jesus had commissioned Peter to care for the sheep (John
21:15-17), and Peter was faithful to fulfill that commission.
A Greater Miracle—Raising the Dead (Acts 9:36-43)
Joppa, the modern Jaffa, is located on the sea-coast, some ten miles
beyond Lydda. The city is important in Bible history as the place from
which the Prophet Jonah embarked when he tried to flee from God (Jonah
1:1-3). Jonah went to Joppa to avoid going to the Gentiles, but Peter in
Joppa received his call to go to the Gentiles! Because Jonah disobeyed
God, the Lord sent a storm that caused the Gentile sailors to fear. Because
Peter obeyed the Lord, God sent the "wind of the Spirit" to the Gentiles
and they experienced great joy and peace. What a contrast!
It seemed so tragic that a useful and beloved saint like Dorcas
(Tabitha=gazelle) should die when she was so greatly needed by the
church. This often happens in local churches and it is a hard blow to take.
In my own pastoral ministry, I have experienced the loss of choice saints
who were difficult to replace in the church; yet, all we can say is, "The
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the
Lord" (Job 1:21).
The believers in Joppa heard that Peter was in the area, and they sent for
him immediately. There is no record in Acts that any of the Apostles had
raised the dead, so their sending for Peter was an evidence of their faith in
the power of the risen Christ. When our Lord ministered on earth, He
raised the dead; so why would He not be able to raise the dead from His
exalted throne in glory?
We usually think of the Apostles as leaders who told other people what to
do, but often the people commanded them! (For Peter's "philosophy of
ministry" read 1 Peter 5.) Peter was a leader who served the people and
was ready to respond to their call. Peter had the power to heal, and he used
the power to glorify God and help people, not to promote himself.
It was a Jewish custom first to wash the dead body, and then to anoint it
with spices for burial. When Peter arrived in the upper room where Dorcas
lay in state, he found a group of weeping widows who had been helped by
her ministry. Keep in mind that there was no "government aid" in those
days for either widows or orphans, and needy people had to depend on
their "network" for assistance. The church has an obligation to help people
who are truly in need (1 Tim. 5:3-16; James 1:27).
The account of Peter's raising of Dorcas should be compared with the
account of our Lord's raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:34-43). In both
cases, the mourning people were put out of the room; and the words
spoken are almost identical: "talitha cumi: little girl, arise; Tabitha cumi:
Tabitha, arise." Jesus took the girl by the hand before He spoke to her, for
He was not afraid of becoming ceremonially defiled; and Peter took
Dorcas by the hand after she had come to life. In both instances, it was the
power of God that raised the person from the dead, for the dead person
certainly could not exercise faith.
As with the healing of Aeneas, the raising of Dorcas attracted great
attention and resulted in many people trusting Jesus Christ. During the
"many days" that he tarried in Joppa, Peter took the opportunity to ground
these new believers in the truth of the Word, for faith built on miracles
alone is not substantial.
It was a good thing Peter tarried in Joppa, because God met with him there
in a thrilling new way. God's servants need not always be "on the go."
They should take time to be alone with God, to reflect and meditate and
pray, especially after experiencing great blessings. Yes, there were plenty
of sick people Peter might have visited and healed, but God had other
plans. He deliberately detained His servant in Joppa to prepare him for his
third use of "the keys."
It is significant that Peter stayed in the home of a tanner, because tanners
were considered "unclean" by the Jewish rabbis (see Lev. 11:35-40). God
was moving Peter a step at a time from Jewish legalism into the freedom
of His wonderful grace.
The Greatest Miracle—Winning Lost Sinners (Acts 10:1-48)
Chapter 10 is pivotal in the Book of Acts, for it records the salvation of
the Gentiles. We see Peter using "the keys of the kingdom" for the third
and last time. He had opened the door of faith for the Jews (Acts 2) and
also for the Samaritans (Acts 8), and now he would be used of God to
bring the Gentiles into the church (see Gal. 3:27-28; Eph. 2:11-22).
—Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament
· to go for Peter and ask him to come. This is important. They did not go
to discuss the matter with him, but to ask him to come and to come
quickly, without delay.
2. Dorcas tragically died. The idea seems to be that she died right in the
midst of her ministry when she was so needed. The believers were
crushed. There was little hope that the ministry could go on as effectively
as it had been.
Þ There apparently were few, if any, as mature in the Lord as she. They
were apparently newer believers, not having had sufficient time to grow
and mature in Him.
Þ There were so many poor. There apparently was no one else wealthy
and gifted enough to meet their needs. The church desperately needed
Dorcas.
3. A great hope and desperate appeal was stirred. The disciples at
Joppa...
· had heard about Peter being close by in Lydda.
· had heard about the phenomenal healing of the paralytic.
· had heard (perhaps some had even witnessed) that Jesus had raised the
dead.
The words "delay not" (me okneses PWS: 938) mean not to hesitate, not to
be reluctant; but to act and act now, quickly, without questioning. The
believers were in dead earnest, believing that the Lord could raise the dead
if it was His will to do so. What an enormous faith in the Lord Jesus they
demonstrated!
4. A sensitive, pastoral response was the result. Peter arose and went with
the two men. He was the servant of the Lord, so he did love and care. He
was deeply concerned and compassionate. He had been made aware of the
need; the cry for help had reached his ears and he responded. (What a
lesson for the leaders of the church!)
5. A deep sorrow was expressed for Dorcas, the dedicated believer. As
soon as Peter arrived, they took him into the upper chamber. The widows
whom she had helped so readily surrounded Peter, weeping from broken
hearts. Note they began to show Peter the clothes Dorcas had made and
given them. The word showing (epideiknumenai PWS: 3546, middle
voice) means they were pointing to the clothes. They were actually
wearing the clothes she had made in her honor or because they had few or
no other clothes decent enough to wear publicly.
Note three significant points about the believers.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
a. Great hope swelled up in their hearts. They did not rush to bury Dorcas
as was the custom of Jews. But they washed her and laid her in an upper
chamber.
"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate" (1 Tim. 6:18).
b. They sent two men to ask Peter to come and seek the Lord in behalf of
Dorcas—for the sake of the church and its witness as well as for her sake.
c. They demonstrated great faith in the possibility that the Lord could
raise the dead and meet the cry of their hearts. They had enough faith...
· not to bury her.
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine
showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity" (Titus 2:7).
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works"
(Hebrews 10:24).
DEEPER STUDY #2 (9:36) Dorcas
3. (9:40-41) Power: the source of power to raise the dead is Christ
Jesus. Note three significant points.
1. The disciple got alone with the Lord. He excused everyone from the
room. He had to get alone and seek the Lord. He had to concentrate
and meditate; his thoughts had to be undisturbed before the Lord.
There are at least three incidents in Scripture where the dead were
raised in similar cimcumstances.
a. Note the faith of Peter. It was the faith of the Lord Jesus Himself, the
faith which Jesus had demonstrated in raising Jairus' daughter (Mark
5:41).
Þ Elijah and the widow's son (1 Kings 17:17-24).
b. It was the Lord's will for Dorcas to be raised from the dead. The Lord
told Peter what His will was while Peter was praying. If Jesus had told
Peter it was not His will, then Peter would not have commanded Dorcas to
arise. Her resurrection was to serve a greater purpose than her remaining
dead. (See Deeper Study #3, HealingActs 9:34 for discussion.)
Þ Elisha and the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:18-37, esp. 2 Kings 4:3237).
"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be
of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17).
2. Peter prayed to the living Lord. The Lord is living, and because He is
alive Peter got alone with Him and asked at least two things:
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey
God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
a. He asked for the Lord's will. Was it the Lord's will or not His will to
raise Dorcas? (See Deeper Study #3, HealingActs 9:34 for discussion.)
4. (9:42-43) Power— Witnessing: the results of raising the dead were
twofold.
b. Once Peter knew that the Lord wanted Dorcas raised, he prayed both
for the power to raise her and for God to use the miracle to make men
believe (cp. Acts 9:43).
1. Many believed.
Þ Jesus and Jairus' daughter (Matthew 5:40-42).
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which
seeth in secret shall reward thee openly" (Matthew 6:6).
"And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray"
(Mark 6:46).
"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to
pray, and continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12).
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing
according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him" (1 John 5:14-15).
3. Peter did exactly what Jesus instructed. He turned to the body and
boldly demanded, "Tabitha, arise."
2. A tremendous door was open for Peter to freely evangelize the area.
It was here in Joppa that God was to give him the vision that led to
the carrying of the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1f).
Thought 1. Note this critical point. When God raises the dead, it is
always to demonstrate the enormous power of God to save men
through any and all trials, even from the greatest of enslavements—
death. There is dramatic symbolism in this point for the conversion of
a soul from death to life eternal.
The "many" who believed in Joppa illustrate the point. They believed
because Dorcas was raised. Because she was raised, they turned to the
Lord for salvation. They turned from spiritual death to spiritual life,
from physical death to life eternal. They wanted life now and
eternally, life abundant and life that lasted forever. They wanted to
live with Christ in that glorious day of promise, the day of
redemption.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life" (John 3:16).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come
into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
—Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary