Acts 9:32-43 Conversion of Aeneas and Death of Dorcas
9:32-35 Conversion of People at Sharon and Lydda
9:36-39 Works of Dorcas
9:40-43 Death and Life of Dorcas
Introduction:
Church growth has always faced with two events. One is the Conversion experience, and the other is the death of the believers. Many times the church is known as a little flock. But the heavenly scene depicted in the Book of Revelation had found with a large group with multitudes of numerous population. Paul explained at a later stage; whether we live or die makes no difference for a believer in Christ.
Acts 9:32-35 Conversion of People at Sharon and Lydda
This portion gives importance to the ministry of Apostle Peter. He traveled to Lydda, and there he visited and encouraged the Saints. He had come across a sick person called Aeneas. He was a paralytic man who suffered ailment for more than eight years. Peter saw him as a bedridden condition, so with faith and authority, he commanded in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be healed. Instantly it had happened. This healing brought faith to many at Sharon and Lydda to come to the Lord. Here Peter neither preached nor convincingly argued but, he healed Aeneas.
Acts 9:36-39 Works of Dorcas
The author of the book of Acts had moved from Lydda to Joppa. He had focused on a lady called Tabitha (Dorcas), a woman of a good testimony. She was a good believer, and she was always doing good and helping the poor. It seems that Dorcas was running a charity home. The widows who had benefitted through her commendable works expressed it to Peter. They were so much attached to her, and they talked about her goodness with Peter. She established her Christian Spirit and Character.
Acts 9:40-43 Death and Life of Dorcas
Dorcas became sick and died. They bathed her body and kept her for burial. At this state, the believers at Joppa invited Peter. Whether Peter was invited to the funeral of Dorcas or to bring her back to life. Does it prove that Peter also raised a dead person as Jesus did while he was on the earth? Was it a means of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles? One thing that has assured the readers that the visit of Peter turned the grief into joy. The sorrow of the disciples turned into a rejoicing moment. A visit of a faithful servant of God always brings an unexpected blessing to the Family, Village, and City.
Discussion:
1. Is Conversion necessary?
2. Good works and helping the poor are alluring or uplifting the People?
3. What lessons did we learn through the ministry of Peter in Sharon, Lydda, and Joppa?
(For further studies on the book of Acts please refer to the series found on this site)
