Sermon # 19
“The Miracles of Grace”
Acts 9: 32-43
Our text today is a story of miracles. We love miracles, stories of the miraculous. The concluding portion of Chapter nine and the beginning of chapter ten is the story of three such miracles. It is the record of two miracles done through Peter and one miracle done in Peter. I believe that miracle that God does in us is greater than any miracle done to us. The greatest miracle is not physical deliverance from disease but spiritual deliver-ance from sin.
In verse 32 we pick up again with the story of Peter, the last time we saw him was in Acts 8:25. Peter will remain the chief apostle to the Jews, yet it is Peter not Paul who opens the door of the gospel to the Gentiles.
There was a deep and sharp division between the Jews and the Gentiles. The root of the problem lies in the distinctions, which the Jews drew, between “clean” and “unclean.” There are of course biblical principles in the Old Testament concerning animals but not applied to men. The Jews had unfortunately applied this principle to men with disastrous results. Israel was chosen as the vessel through which God would bring lost men and women to Himself. But the fundamental obstacle to Jews carrying out this task was prejudice. And it in turn it also became the fundamental obstacle to the proclamation of the gospel. It had been five years since Pentecost and still the church was Jewish to the core. Christianity was seen as a sect of the Jewish religion.
In fact one of the problems that the church had to deal with in the early years was the notion, advanced by the Judaizers, that one must first become a Jew before becoming a Christian. That even as a Christian they must be circumcised and keep the law. This false doctrine first rears its head in Acts 15:1-2, “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." (2) Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.”
Because of this teaching a “council” was called at Jerusalem to settle this dispute. Peter’s experience as describe in chapter ten and repeated in chapter eleven are the evidence presented to support the fact that one did not have to first become a Jew before becoming a Christian.
The last section of chapter nine helps us to understand that Peter had a change of heart concerning the inclusion of Gentiles. This change of heart was a progressive one. We see this progression first, geographically. Peter who has made his home in Jerusalem now moves out on an evangelist tour of the churches in the cities northeast of Jerusalem. Here he visits the congregations that have sprung up as the result of the scattering after the death of Stephen. As he journeyed eventually God led him to Lydda (lid’-ah) and then on to Joppa.
I. The Miracle Done Through Peter in Lydda
vv. 32-35
“Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. (33) There he found a certain man named Aeneas, (e’-ne-as) who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. (34) And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. (35) So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”
The first miracle that the Lord does through Peter is in the ancient town of Lydda is about twenty-five west of Jerusalem, is now a suburb of Tel Aviv, in fact the airport at Tel Aviv is located at Lydda
It is in Lydda that Peter comes across paralyzed man named Aeneas who has been confined to his bed for the last eight years. Very much in the manner of the Lord tells this man to get up and walk. Peter through the authority of the name of Jesus brought perfect soundness to Aeneas. The healing that occurred seemed to be in marked contrast to what we see from the television “healers” of our day.
Notice, First, that Aeneas did not have to come to Peter or to a meeting for his healing.
Secondly, notice that the healing did not come from Peter. Peter was not the source of the healing, rather the healing came through Peter from Jesus. The focus was on Jesus.
Third, the healing was instantaneous. Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ is (present tense) [now at this moment] healing you.” As a result the man was able to get up and make his bed. He became a walking miracle. Are you a walking miracle of God’s grace?
The sequence of events had removed Peter from Jerusalem and the legalist separation of his Jewish brothers and had put him into contact with Gentiles. Gentiles became more than a basis of a theological argument they became human beings with names and faces. This became a turning point in the spread of the gospel.
II. THE MIRACLE THROUGH PETER TO THE
WOMAN AT JOPPA vv. 36-42
”At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. (37) But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (38) And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. (39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. (40) But Peter put 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) Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (42) And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.”
The second miracle done through Peter concerned a believer in Joppa named Tabitha. Dorcas was her Greek name. Both of the names mean “gazelle” and speaks of gracefulness and gentleness of spirit. Dorcas was godly woman who was active in doing good to those around her. But neither her godly life nor her good deeds kept her from illness and death.
Some of the believers in Joppa heard of Peter’s presence in near by Lydda and sent for him. Peter immediate got up and followed them to home of Dorcas. When he arrived the place was full of weeping widows who recipients of Dorcas’ many good deeds.
There is no large gathering or big spectacle in fact according to verse forty those present were sent outside. Beware of those who stage high-powered healing spectacles and claim that God always heals those who have enough faith.
“God certainly can, and sometimes does, heal people in a miraculous way today. But the Bible does not teach that He will always heal those who come to Him in faith. He sovereignly reserves the right to heal or not to heal as He sees fit.” [Joni Eareckson and Steve Estes. A Step Further. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978) p. 127.]
Verse 40 says that Peter “knelt down and prayed.” I don’t know what Peter prayed, but I would be praying, “Lord what do I do now?” After he had prayed he said, “Tabitha arise.” At these words her eyes opened. Her life returned and it was if she had awakened from sleep. So when she saw Peter she sat up. Peter extended his hand to her and help her up and then he “presented her alive” to all those who knew that she had been dead.
The Results of this second miracle were the same as in Lydda: the news spread and “many believed in the Lord” (v. 42)
It was the need in Joppa that resulted in his contact with a woman who had died, and thus was ceremonially unclean. For Peter the need overcame his legalist scruples about contact with the dead.
III. THE MIRACLE DONE IN PETER v.43
“So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”
I personally believe that the miracle done in Peter was greater than either of the miracles done through him.
Peter tarried in Joppa, either to continue his evangelistic efforts or to strengthen the new believers, in any cause God met with him there in a thrilling new way. It is significant that Peter stayed in the house of a tanner, under Jewish religious law tanners because they were in daily contact with dead animals, were considered “unclean” (Lev. 11:35-40). According to religious law if a woman was betrothed and found out that here fiancé was involved in tanning she could break the engagement.
The fact that Peter stayed with the tanner Simon is evidence that he overcome some of his legalist scruples and that he recognized God’s grace in Simon. God was continuing to move Peter one step a time away from Jewish legalism and into the marvelous freedom of grace. Peter was slowly being delivered from his useless and loveless ceremonial legalism.
Conclusion
This text has much to teach us.
First, it tells us something about miracles. God can and does do miracles but he always reserves the right to say when and how.
God heals but there are not healers. Healing is not dependent on the individuals faith but upon the sovereign decision of God and through his power alone.
Second, Tabitha’s testimony reveals that Christianity calls us to turn from our sin and respond to Jesus in order to be saved. But after we have done that, then it calls us to serve others. Before Jesus came there were no hospitals, no orphanages, no place of treatment for the insane, no place that lepers were treated. There was not even any help for the poor. Christianity brought all of these things into being.
Finally, it is important to realize that what God is doing in you is more important than anything he can do to you. Physical healing is at best temporary. What God what to do in your life spiritually is far more important. God is not finished with you yet. It does not matter where you have come from, or what your educational background is, or how far you have come in your Christian walk. If you are alive and know Christ as your Savior, God is not finished with you yet.
