Acts 9:20–43

9:20
and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying,
“This man is the Son of God.”
21
All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in
Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here
to bring them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
22
But Saul became more and more capable, and was causing consternation among
the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23
Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him,
24
but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the
city gates day and night so that they could kill him.
25
But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in
the wall by lowering him in a basket.
26
When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the
disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe
that he was a disciple.
27
But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them
how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and
how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.
28
So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem,
speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.
29
He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were
trying to kill him.
30
When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea
and sent him away to Tarsus.
31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace
and thus was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the
encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.
32
Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down
to the saints who lived in Lydda.
33
He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for
eight years because he was paralyzed.
34
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make
your own bed!” And immediately he got up.
35
All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the
Lord.
36
Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation
means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity.
37
At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they
placed it in an upstairs room.
38
Because Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was
there, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come to us without delay.”
39
So Peter got up and went with them, and when he arrived they brought him
to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him, crying and showing him
the tunics and other clothing Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
40
But Peter sent them all outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning to the
body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and when she
saw Peter, she sat up.
41
He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and
widows and presented her alive.
42
This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43
So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner.

One thought:

The same authority that allowed Jesus to heal, is now with the disciples. Therefore we can listen to them as we would Jesus.

Three questions:

Why doesn’t God heal everyone?

 

What would it be like to wake up after dying? How would you think about life differently?

 

Who is one person in a seemingly hopeless situation that you could pray for?

Prayer:

Give thanks for the hope of new bodies in the resurrection.

Give thanks that we have all been raised from death to life in Spirit.

Ask God to help someone in need of healing.

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