In The Word
Read: Acts 9:32-42
Peter’s Ministry
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means Dorcas); this woman was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37 But it happened at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the room upstairs; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent 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. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Through Christ, Peter brought healing and a miracle in two separate lives. First he came to a man who the Word tells us had been paralyzed for eight long years. His ailment was to the point where he had to be bedridden. Peter came in not with a prayer, but with a spoken command of authority for Aeneas to be healed in Jesus’ name. Aeneas was immediately healed and picked up his mat and walked. Then the towns of Lydda and Sharon saw what happened, and they all turned to the Lord.
Peter then got a word from a couple of disciples to hurry to Joppa. When Peter arrived they brought him to an upper room where a lady named Tabitha had died. The people had already washed her body in preparation for the burial, but did not yet have the funeral. Obviously, they were believing for Peter to come and resurrect her. This time, Peter got alone and knelt and prayed to the Lord. Then after he prayed, he spoke in authority for Tabitha to rise. She then immediately opened her eyes, sat up, and was resurrected. After this resurrection, many people in Joppa believed in the Lord Jesus.
Peter had authority to do great and miraculous things for the Lord. We need to understand that Christ calls us to do even greater things than He did. In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus tells us that miracles accompany us as believers. God desires to use us in an even greater capacity than our minds can comprehend. Take charge and operate as a believer with authority in the name of Jesus Christ.