Acts 9:31 The Church Prospers
“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”
Acts 9:32-35 Aeneas Healed
“Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”
Acts 9:36-43 Dorcas Restored to Life
“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, 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. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”
With Saul safely on his way to Tarsus, the church is enjoying a short interval of peace. Peter travels through the country to Joppa, a port on the Mediterranean Sea and to Lydda, a town close to Joppa. While Peter is in Lydda, he learns that Aeneas, an elderly man, has been paralyzed for eight years, likely with a stroke.
“And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” Aeneas was a well-known personality in Lydda, and all the neighbors in Lydda and the neighboring town of Sharon are so impressed that they convert to following Jesus. But this miracle is only a warm-up for what is about to take place in Joppa.
“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.” Tabitha was one of those ladies who never met a hungry person whom she failed to feed or someone shivering for lack of clothing for whom she did not sew garments. As one of the most beloved women in the community, Tabitha’s death was a huge blow to the poor whom she had been helping.
“But Peter put them all out, 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. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.” This is the second miraculous healing in which Peter has been involved in the Joppa area.
We read these accounts and wonder why God doesn’t do these things today. But we have a missionary friend in South America who teaches his congregations to pray for people, and even small children have acted as agents for miraculous healings from the Holy Spirit. We must begin praying before anything else can happen.
Another aspect of the situation: God wants Peter to remain in Joppa, for God is about to give Peter a revelation that will shake up the entire church. And God is preparing Peter to receive that revelation, for when Aeneas is healed and Tabitha rises from the dead, Peter is as astounded as anybody else. Even though Peter is praying in faith, miraculous results are always astounding and faith-building.
May God help us, so that we too will step out in faith and trust God for the results.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, we believe but help our unbelief! Help us to trust You where we cannot see, realizing that you are far more willing to work than we are to ask. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
May 16, 2025 at 2:32 am
Very Nice!!