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.
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.” 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.
Introduction
How many times have we heard the saying “God helps those who help themselves?”
It seems to mean that if we would just get busy, get things done, or turn over a new leaf, God could look favorably upon us. Did you know that saying is not in the Bible? In fact, it is the very opposite of the gospel message!
Consider this story: A man came home from work and declared to his wife that he had become “born again by the Spirit of God.” They were not churchgoers; in fact, they had been known to make jokes about “Bible Thumpers.” The wife feared he had gone crazy.
Though he was not looking for God, God had come to him by placing him in the time and place to hear and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and to be “raised from the dead” spiritually. The man was changed, and it was not his doing. He no longer wanted the party life they had lived. He gave up drinking and drugs. He was reading his Bible and talking to his wife about Jesus. One day she angrily screamed at him, “It feels like you are having an affair with this Jesus!”
As time went on, she began to ponder the amazing changes she witnessed in her husband’s character. There was no doubt that something had changed. What she witnessed in her husband was used by God to soften her heart toward Jesus, and within just a few months she too was born again, and their family legacy was forever changed.
This is what we see in Acts 9:32–43 as Jesus, through Peter, heals the paralyzed man and gives Tabitha life again. Aeneas and Tabitha are recipients of God’s amazing grace, and Peter is given the incredible privilege of having God work powerfully through him.
In all of these scenarios, the people were completely powerless to change their circumstances or their hearts. But God raised each of them from the dead, physically or spiritually, in order to display his power to heal and restore.
Observation
- Lydda was a town on the Plain of Sharon, between Jerusalem and Joppa on the coast. Why was Peter in this region?
- Find Joppa on a map of ancient Israel (in a Bible or online). Who summoned Peter to Joppa and why?
- Explain what occurred in Lydda.
- In verse 34, who does Peter say is the source of healing?
- What was happening when Peter arrived in Joppa?
- Describe Tabitha and her value to the saints.
- What was Peter’s response as he encountered Tabitha?
- What was the result of Peter’s actions following his arrival at the Upper Room?
Interpretation
- Read Acts 3:1–7, 9:34, and 40. What consistencies exist in Peter’s healing ministry? In each story, to whom is Peter careful to attribute healing?
- Why did Peter immediately direct Aeneas to “rise and make his bed”?
- What do verses 35 and 42 reveal about the purpose and the result of these healings?
- Read John 11:38–45. Compare the response of the people when Jesus raised Lazarus, with the events in Acts 9:32–43.
- What effect did miracles have on evangelism in the early church?
Application
- In what ways have you embraced the erroneous belief that “God helps those that help themselves” by taking credit for a situation getting better or being resolved?
- How have you neglected to give God the glory for the healing and redemptive work he has already accomplished in you?
- Describe a time when you have felt powerless in a situation and yet experienced the presence and power of God in your life. How did this bring about a heart change in you? How has this been used as a testimony of God’s power to those around you?
- List some ways God may be leading you to step out in obedience to his call on your life and serve in a way that will bring him glory.
This devotion is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapter 6–11. Pick up a copy today for only $9.99. The Study Guide includes an 11-week curriculum with small group studies, group inductive studies, as well as 55 daily devotions for your personal or family worship.
