Saul, who was once a persecutor of the church, was now boldly preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but his message disrupted the teachers of Judaism. We know that they were plotting to kill him so others took him away to a safe place in Tarsus (9:29-30). Luke then writes that the church experiences a time of peace which was made possible through some changes which were happening in the region. During this period of rest for the church, they grew in numbers and in their faith.
Luke, the author of Acts, shifts his focus back to Peter for a brief time in the later half of Acts 9 through Acts 12. In Acts 9, Luke documents two healings which took place by the power of the Holy Spirit through the hands of Peter. One was a man named Aeneas who had been bed fast for eight years and was also paralyzed. Peter commands him to get up and make his bed and the man immediately rose up (9:32-34). When those who were in the city saw that Aeneas had been healed, they “turned to the Lord” (9:35). The second healing which followed was a little more dramatic than the first. A woman named Tabitha (which is translated, Dorcas) who was “full of good works and charitable deeds…became sick and died” (9:36-37a). The people placed her body in an upper room (9:37b) which was not really customary for a culture which usually buried their dead immediately. It is as if the believers in the church had great faith that Peter could do something about this woman’s death. The disciples in Joppa sent for Peter in Lydda (about 12 miles apart) and he was brought to the upper room where this woman’s body was laid (9:38-39a). As Peter entered this circumstance, he found widows weeping and showing him the tunics and garments Dorcas made for the poor (9:39b). Peter asks them all to leave the room where he “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” (9:40). Peter calls for the people who were waiting outside the room and “he presented her alive” (9:41). The raising of Dorcas to life is the first place in the early church where a person is brought back to life and this miracle brought much attention to the ministry of the apostles and “it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord” (9:42).
As with any miracles we read about in the Bible, the emphasis should not be on the specific miracle(s) being performed; however, our focus should be on the God of the miracle. The miracle is not worthy of worship, but God is. Whenever we read about these miraculous things which God has done through His apostles and prophets of old, we should be reminded that our God can do anything. Nothing is impossible with God. Although I do not believe that God desires everyone to be healed of their sicknesses and infirmities, I do believe that He will draw those close to Him who see beyond what He has done to who He really is. Whether you have been healed of some life-threatening sickness or you are still struggling with a debilitating disease, may you see that God is all-powerful and His desire is that many would believe on the name of Jesus Christ…maybe through your healing or through the strength God has provided you to endure trials.
Dear God, thank You for preserving these miracles for all generations that we might witness Your great power and might. Help us to see that You are all-powerful, no matter if You choose to heal or not.
