www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk
The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9:20-43 Saul grows in the Lord 9.20. and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This man is the Son of God." Saul did not waste any time but immediately began to witness that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, and the Son of God. He went straight into the lion's den as it were, the synagogues, to preach to the Jews. 9.21. 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?" They could not understand the sudden change that had taken place in Saul's life from persecuting and imprisoning Christians to becoming one of them and proclaiming the gospel message with boldness! 9.22. 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. They would have branded Saul a traitor to Judaism and said all manner of things against him but this did not deter him from going on with the Lord it only served to strengthen him in Christ and to grow in his grace. He became all the more bold proving from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ and completely confounded the Jews in Damascus. 9.23 - 25. Now after some days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot against him. They were also watching the city gates day and night so that they could kill him. But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall by lowering him in a basket. It wasn't long before they had enough of this man and began to plot to kill him and so set a twenty four hour watch at the gates of the city in order to do so. Their plan however was foiled by the disciples finding out about it and Saul escaped by being let down over the wall in a basket.
Saul received his boldness by immediately witnessing after his conversion and by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 8). As we step out and witness so we will become bolder as the Holy Spirit empowers us.
Saul befriended and accepted 9.26. 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. Saul did not immediately go to Jerusalem for he tells us in Galatians 1: 17 - 19 that he went into Arabia for three years and had no contact with the apostles. It is believed that during this time he constantly sought and waited upon the Lord and was taught and instructed by Him. It was after this that he went up to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples but because of his former life they were afraid and would not accept him. 9.27. 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. It was Barnabas (Son of encouragement/consolation Acts. 4: 36) who befriended Saul and acted as mediator between him and the apostles. He bore witness to the transformation that had taken place in Saul's life and testified of his boldness in preaching the gospel. Later on the Holy Spirit paired them together to work for Christ (Acts 13: 2). 9.28 - 29. So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. He was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to kill him. So Saul was accepted into the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem and began preaching boldly in the Name of the Lord. He spoke and discussed and contended with the Greek speaking Jews who had embraced Greek culture (Hellinists) but they were attempted to kill him. 9.30. When the brothers found out about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. When this was found out by the brethren they sent him to his home town of Tarsus. Notice that it was the church that sent Saul and that he obeyed. He always worked with the church as it was directed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13: 2). 9.31. 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. After this the church experienced a time of peace and was not persecuted for a little while until Herod decided to move against it (Acts 12; 1). During this time the church was spiritually built up growing in wisdom, goodness and holiness. Because it was a church that was walking in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord (Psalm 34: 9) and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit they multiplied.
So are we to walk in this way today that the Lord may multiply us. We are to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4), by faith (2 Cor. 5: 7), in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), be worthy of the Divine calling (Eph. 4:1), in love (Eph. 5:2), live carefully (Eph. 5:15), in the light (1 John 1:7) in fact as Christ walked.
Aeneas healed and Dorcus raised from the dead We leave Saul in Tarsus for now and return to Peter. 32 - 33. Now as Peter was traveling around from place to place, he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda. He found there a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mattress for eight years because he was paralyzed. Although Peter was based in Jerusalem he traveled throughout all parts of the country preaching and teaching (Acts 1: 8). When he came to a place called Lydda he found a man named Aeneas who had been paralysed for eight years. 9.34. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Get up and make your own bed!" And immediately he got up. Here we see the Gift of healings in operation. Peter had this gift to give to Aeneas so he addresses him personally and imparts the gift to him “Jesus the Christ heals you”. This was followed by a command to do something “make your bed” perhaps as proof that he had truly been healed. The man was instantaneously healed. 9.35. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Because of this healing many in Lydda and Sharon who saw it were saved. 9.36. Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which in translation means Dorcas). She was continually doing good deeds and acts of charity. Lydda was only a few miles from Joppa where a faithful and dedicated disciple lived whose name was Tabitha (Aramaic) Dorcus (Greek) which means a gazelle. She was a practical Christian who carried out works of faith (James 2: 14 -18) which was motivated by love and was noted for her kindly deeds. 9.37. At that time she became sick and died. When they had washed her body, they placed it in an upstairs room. This godly woman fell sick and died and the believers prepared her for burial. 9.38. 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." The story may have ended there but on hearing that Peter was near the disciple's faith was challenged and although Dorcus was dead they believed that God could raise her from the dead. So they sent messengers to implore Peter to come at once.
9.39. 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. This was a challenge to Peter's faith but he did not delay he went straight away to the upper room where they had laid Dorcus. The fact that the widows who according to custom attended the corpse were weeping shows that not all the believers had faith enough that Dorcus would be raised. 9.40. 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. Like Jesus did with the girl who died (Mark 5: 40) Peter put them all out of the room and only he and Dorcus remained. The first thing he did was kneel down and pray. He must have been turned away from the body for after praying he turns and speaks to it! This is what Jesus did with the little girl (Mark 5: 41) and also to Lazarus (John 11: 43). As Peter had done with Aeneas he addresses her personally and tells her to "arise" and the miracle happens. 9.41. He gave her his hand and helped her get up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. Peter gives her a helping hand and presents her alive to all those present! 9.42. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. News of this miracle soon spreads throughout Joppa and many received Jesus Christ as their Saviour. 9.43. So Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a man named Simon, a tanner. Peter remained in Joppa for quite a while in order to build up the new converts in the most holy faith. The Lord constantly challenges us in all areas of our lives and in many different ways that He might test our faith but there is something that is greater than faith and that is love (1 Cor. 13: 2, 13). © Derek Williams 2014 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges. Sign up today for our FREE monthly Bible study magazine “Living Word” Scriptures taken from the NET Bible www.bible.org