This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for April 26
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Helping those in need is essential if one would follow Jesus. Today’s text is filled with valuable insights on this aspect of the month’s lesson theme, “The Dawn of New Life.”

The first 12 chapters of the book of Acts describe Peter’s ministry in particular. The remainder of the book centers on Paul. While Luke gives in detail the work of Paul more fully than that of any other apostle, still he does not overlook the others. Previously Peter had returned from a visit to Samaria with John (Acts 8:25). It appears that he then traveled among the dispersed Christian communities of Judea.

Aeneas Healed/Acts 9:32-35

Luke rejoins Peter’s travels when he went to Lydda. The town was known as Lod in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 8:12). Lydda is on the road that runs between Jerusalem and Joppa (called Jaffa today), and is about 12 miles from Joppa. Apparently there were already believers living in Lydda. Perhaps they had been baptized in Jerusalem during the earliest days of the church, or they could have been evangelized by Philip when he was in the area (Acts 8:40).

Here Peter encountered a man named Aeneas. Most Bible students assume that he was a Christian, although Luke does not specifically state this. We are only told that Aeneas was a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years (9:33). Luke, the physician (Colossians 4:14), often uses specific medical terminology when he describes physical problems.

Peter’s actions provide another important example. He clearly pointed to Jesus as the source of healing, not claiming any special power for himself. “Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:34).

The event did not go unnoticed by the crowd. Immediately word of the healing spread and many came to trust and obey Jesus because of it. This was Peter’s goal. God confirmed Peter’s message by this miraculous sign (compare Mark 16:15-18).

Dorcas Raised/Acts 9:36-43

Luke next introduces a special woman. Her name means gazelle and is translated Dorcas in the Greek and Tabitha in Aramaic. She is only the second woman mentioned by name in Acts after Pentecost. In contrast to the other one, Sapphira (5:1,2), Dorcas had a wonderful reputation—always doing good and helping the poor (9:36). Dorcus became very ill and died.

Whether before or after her death (Scripture does not say), the Christians sent two men to bring Peter from nearby Lydda. Their message was simply, “Please come at once!” (v. 38). While awaiting his arrival, the women prepared her body for burial. In this hot climate, the body was normally buried as soon as possible after death.

A walk of about three hours brought the men to Peter with their sad message. The Christians might have been hoping that he would perform a miracle, but perhaps they simply wanted Peter to share in their mourning, paying tribute to this godly woman.

When the delegation returned the house was filled with those who had been the recipients of the gifts made by Dorcas. Most of these were widows (compare 1 Timothy 5:3-16). When Peter walked through the room, they showed him the garments she had made for them.

Peter had been present when his Lord raised the dead. He knew God’s power. No doubt he prayed asking for God to perform that same miracle in this case, if it was within his will. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, he first put the people out of the room—and Peter did the same (Mark 5:37). Jesus next took the child’s hand and said, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). In this case, Peter knelt and prayed, then said to Dorcas, “Tabitha, get up.”

At that 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 (Acts 9:40, 41)

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Scripture indicates that many people came to believe in him (John 12:10, 11). The same thing happened in Joppa (9:42). We can only imagine the joy within the church family there when Dorcas was restored to life. J. W. McGarvey mused, “Is not this event in Joppa intended to give us a slight foretaste of the joys of the resurrection morning?”

We need to remember two other things from this passage:

God does not always choose to answer our prayers for healing, as he did in this case. Paul left Trophimus sick at Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). When he prayed for his own “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, God said, “No” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God’s love is constant, even when he does not answer our prayers as we think he should.

Every Christian can help others. Though we may not be able to heal the sick or raise the dead, we can show love, sympathy, concern, and understanding to hurting people all around us. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Christians have been “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.