This week's Bible study will be part 3 of Acts chapter 9

The Apostle Peter's Healing Ministry

[Acts chapter 9, verses 32-43]

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Last week as we finished part 2 of our in-depth study of Acts chapter 9, Saul had begun his ministry after having his sight restored, and after being baptized. But his conversion had been very controversial owing to the fact that he had actively participated in the martyrdom of dozens – or possibly hundreds – of early Christians. Saul's conversion had been so controversial and divisive that the early Church leaders had ultimately sent him home to Tarsus. This week as we conclude Acts chapter 9, we find the focus shifting away from Saul, Barnabas and Ananias and onto the apostle Peter and his ministry. So let's take up where we left off beginning at verse 32.

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 'Aeneas', Peter said to him, 'Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.' Immediately he got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated {into Greek; PJB}, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, 'Please come at once!'” (Acts 9, verses 32-38)

When we look closely at Peter's activities, we notice his ministry is radically different from most churches today. He had no mode of transportation, and so like most people back then he walked wherever he needed to go. But this is only the beginning of the differences between Peter's ministry and the churches of today. He likely wore the same clothes everywhere he went, and when they needed washing he went to the nearest river bank to wash them – and himself – in the river just like everyone else. There were no dry cleaners or laundromats back then. The $1,000.00 suits worn by prosperity preachers today would have been considered an obscenity by the Twelve.

And then there's the issue of finances. It is quite evident that Peter's ministry was healing as well as preaching. But he never asked for money in exchange for his services, nor did he ask for a tithe of ten percent when he preached. While all these things are in the Bible, they are all from the Old Testament, which has been fulfilled by the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Jesus said as much as he taught at the Sermon on the Mount (see Matt. 5, verses 17-20). Peter understood that he needed no pulpit in order to perform his ministry and ask for financial support. That's because people invited him into their homes voluntarily. They wanted to hear more about The Way because they were excited about their newfound faith! They happily gave food and lodging to Peter! Like people today, they were hungry and thirsty for Truth and the way to live their lives for the Lord instead of themselves.

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.” Tabitha was always doing good, always help those less fortunate, and apparently without any complaints. Here was a lady who had her priorities straight, serving others first and herself last. Like Peter and the other apostles, she understood that if she served God first by serving those He has created, she would always be taken care of herself.

And yet in spite of all this, she got sick and died, probably well before her time. This is Scriptural proof that good things can and do happen to good people. But the believers at Joppa had faith and lots of it. So much so that when they found out that Peter was just down the road from their location, they sent their two fastest runners to Peter to convince him to please come and save Tabitha, who had just died (or was about to). And so now let's move on to part 2 of this week's study.

“Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his needs and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes and, seeing Peter, she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.” (Acts 9, verses 39-43)

Like the other apostles, Peter traveled alone for the most part. Yet he was never alone since the Lord was with him. He needed no security detail despite the fact that human predators were prevalent on the roads he traveled, and no harm ever came to him until the very end when he was martyred. It is a documented fact, however, that he carried a sword (see Luke 22: 49-51). It turns out the basis for our Second Amendment to the Constitution to “the right to keep and bear arms” dates back to far, far before its ratification in 1789. If carrying a lethal weapon for personal protection was good enough for Peter, then it's good enough for me! That the original reason for the Second Amendment's existence.

“.....when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room..... Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his needs and prayed.” Why did Peter make everyone leave the room? Shouldn't he have been proud to show off his healing skills for all to see and remark about? Actually, no he shouldn't and neither should we. He was obeying what Christ had taught him: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to the Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matt. 6, verses 5-6) Peter knew, then, that if he prayed publicly, his prayer may not have been answered. That's why he saw the necessity to pray privately.

“....he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes and, seeing Peter, she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.” Only after she rose from the dead did Peter allow the relatives and widows back into the room. I believe this signifies a great deal of Spiritual discernment on Peter's part. Perhaps one or more of the mourners had a Spiritual issue that would have inhibited the Divine healing from the Lord as it was bestowed through Peter. We'll probably never know for sure, but we can make a point of praying privately daily, and often multiple times per day as circumstances dictate. We can and should emulate Peter's example in our daily prayers. After all, how can we have a relationship with Christ if we never talk to him? That would be like trying to maintain a marriage without any communication. So now you all know how important our daily prayers are, as well as how to pray. And next week we'll move on to Acts chapter 10.