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| Acts 9:1-9 Memory Verses: John 8:35-36 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, I have been enjoying a day off from work, it is nice to pretend that I have a regular life once in a while. The railroad offers very few days off, and since I am "hooked" (temporarily assigned) to a local (regular job), I get their off days. I could live with this! This is the third conversion that we have studied in the last few days, consider this, the first one seemed genuine, only to turn out to apparently be false. The second was truly genuine, and this one, truly genuine. Shelley made an interesting observation regarding Simon this morning, how many people come to accept Jesus as a result of being involved in a high-powered ministry. Then through their flesh they also desire this type of ministry, and go for it, following all the rules in the local church, going to classes, all the way through seminary, following what they are told. All works, no faith, just as in the case of Simon, we can't tell the difference through our eyes, only God can. The reason they are in the ministry is because they want to be in the lime-light, then we hear of them stumbling, becoming involved in various sins, ranging from affairs to prostitutes. I know we can't differentiate between which ones are true believers, and which ones are living in the flesh, but she has a good point. Doesn't it make you wonder? Isn't it possible, to go to all the right classes, be trained in the ministry, just as Saul was, only to find out later that you were fleshing it out all along? That your real power was not from God, but from a driving desire inside of you to do the right thing, or to be the man who is healing as with Simon? 9:1-2 Saul was not a happy man. I can see an angry man, intent upon putting this "way" out of business. Here is an interesting note regarding his threats: "Not “breathing out,” but “breathing in” (inhaling) as in Aeschylus and Plato or “breathing on” (from Homer on). The partitive genitive of [ apeilēs ] and [ phonou ] means that threatening and slaughter had come to be the very breath that Saul breathed, like a warhorse who sniffed the smell of battle. He breathed on the remaining disciples the murder that he had already breathed in from the death of the others. He exhaled what he inhaled. Jacob had said that “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf” ( Gen. 49:27 ). This greatest son of Benjamin was fulfilling this prophecy (Furneaux). The taste of blood in the death of Stephen was pleasing to young Saul ( 8:1 ) and now he revelled in the slaughter of the saints both men and women. In 26:11 Luke quotes Paul as saying that he was “exceedingly mad against them.” Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention., Ac 9:1. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997. He went to the High Priest and ask for letters to allow him to persecute the church. I looked a little in the commentaries to see why he needed a letter. It seems that the High Priest placed his stamp of approval on Saul, commissioning him to a holy war. But more important than that, the letters were due to a change in the king of the land, and as an attempt to get the Jews on his side, it is thought that he gave them special privileges in order to sway them from loyalty to the Romans. Look at this note regarding this: "What jurisdiction would the high priest have over synagogues in Damascus? This is usually answered by saying Rome recognized the right of extradition when the high priest in Jerusalem demanded it. But this can also be explained in another way. At that time Damascus may have been under the Nabatean king, Aretas IV ( cf. 2 Cor. 11:32-33 ). In order to gain favor with the anti-Roman Jews, Aretas, who hated the Romans, would have conceded this favor to the high priest." cf. confer , compare Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, Ac 9:3. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985. Another thought, why was the original church regarded to as "The Way"? A little thought along with this, Jesus referred to Himself as "The Way" John 14:6, in being called the Way, they were directly associating themselves as Christians, or believers in Jesus as the only way to heaven. It was also Jewish in reference to life, Isaiah 40:3; Psalm 1:6. I wonder why this has not become the handle of any denominations. I would assume that Saul probably intended it to be a derogatory name, but in effect it was very applicable. It is a much better name than "Baptist" for example. With the name Baptist, it associates the people with what happens after conversion, not associating them with the actual Savior. I use this only as an example, please don't take up an offense. Just a curious quirk in history that has been ignored. 9:3-6 Saul was knocked off his feet, what a way to meet Jesus! He was purposefully trying to knock the church off of its feet and now God treated him in like manner. There is a couple of interesting parallels here, just as Saul was trying to disable the Church, he became disabled. Just as he was attempting to show the church who is lord, he was shown who was truly Lord. Just as he thought the church was spiritually blind, he became literally blind. God dealt with him with the same vigor as he had dealt with the church. Going from being an authority established by letters from the high priest, Saul became a very humble man lying in the dust of a road. Another interesting thought here, Jesus took up a personal offense at Saul persecuting the church. Why is this? How come Jesus didn't say "why are you persecuting My church?" The word for "Lord" used here is a term of respect, which could be translated "sir", as in Matthew 13:27; 27:63; John 4:11 and Acts 10:4. Saul didn't know who was speaking, just that he had irritated someone greater than himself. He had to ask to figure out who Jesus was. Jesus is His church. When we are born again, we take on eternal life, which is Jesus' Life which replaces our lives. We are "in" Christ Jesus. Our lives are totally immersed into His life, in effect, since we are In Him, we not only represent Him, we live His life through our lives on a daily basis. This is a reality in the Christian life. We cease to exist, and He lives His life through us. We don't "do" anything to qualify, it is a fact of life if we are born again. Look for example to Matthew 10:40; 25:40, 45, and John 15:1-5. The mystery of being "in Christ" is best explained using the vine as Jesus taught. He is our life-force, He is our life, we are in Him and He is in us. Yet just like the vine that was grafted in, we maintain our personalities, our thoughts and our emotions, and as Jesus pours His life through our lives, these are slowly brought into His image and His likeness. But we exist in Him, because He is our life, when others attack us to persecute us, they are directly attacking Jesus. Unfortunately, most of us cannot claim this, our lives are not plugged in to Jesus as much as it is into our fleshly desires. 9:7-9 The men who Saul was with also heard the voice, they seemed to be confused by the voice and missed the message that the voice carried. Their focus was intently upon the phenomena, to where Saul's focus was on the message of the voice. Saul was also struck blind as a result of meeting Jesus. Here, Jesus took away some-one's sight after healing so many. It is also ironic, consider the power of the Apostles and the Christians that Saul was persecuting, weren't they healing the sick? Was God sending a message to Saul that he was in with the wrong crowd? One other time that one devoted to the Lord was struck mute was in the case of Zechariahs, where he questioned the angel, Luke 1:20. In reflection regarding this, wasn't the seed for salvation sowed by Stephen? Saul must have heard his defense before endorsing the stoning. It had to set his mind to thinking, Stephen spoke of seeing Jesus standing by the Father, and now, Jesus had spoken directly to him in an audible voice. Conviction is probably too weak of a word to speak of what was going through Saul's mind. Saul knew that he had offended the living God, and followed His instructions. Is it possible that the final defense of Stephen was playing in his mind, as well as the testimonies of all the Christians that he had so diligently persecuted? I apologize for running in so many different directions today, there was so much to work with it was hard to zero in on one point. Lord, as all of us study Saul's conversion, allow each one of us to examine our own hearts and our own motives in regard to our relationship with You. Enable us to see beyond our fleshly desires, and to focus on Your will for our lives. In Him, Joe Turner. ***** Acts 9:1-9 There was a voice spoken that was meant only for Saul to understand, directed to him solely. Alone or in a crowd the Lord can speak to us in ways although possibly evident only we can discern. I was with a group of people praying in a hospital ICU unit for a woman outside whose curtain we stood. And as we prayed I heard from the woman what told me that God has done His work, but afterward discovered I alone had heard it (in this case, any sound) although of those encircled praying I was the furthest from where she lay. John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible says of verse 7: Hearing the noise - But not an articulate voice. And seeing the light, but not Jesus himself whereas in Ac 26:14 Paul describes: And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue... The words that caught my eye in these verses was actually pricks and, in researching that one, also thorn. Pricks is used and comes together with thorn Numbers and is also used similarly in Joshua: In Numbers 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Is it not ironic that Paul was afflicted with pricks and a thorn? In Joshua 23:13 it says Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations (teachings/ways of the world) from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. Food for thought - is it possible the more we strive/reason/work against the Word of God the blinder we become to His truth? As Paul encountered the true Light in all glory it seems he was blind to the world. And as he later encountered servants of God who cause his newfound sight to help him see the world as it truly was - a process that for him included a total fast (from the world). And as we look at it more in light of our verses - our "strive/reason/work"ing against the Word of God is paining ourselves - deepening our own pain? Well those were my meanderings ... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shelley ~ Normzrib ***** Acts 9:1-9 Fresh from assisting in the martyrdom of Stephen, he now has authority from the High Priest to bring as back to Jerusalem as prisoners any and all professing this new sect, "The Way". So in chapter 9 we find Paul on his way to Damascus, about 135 miles north of Jerusalem, to ‘defend and preserve the law of Moses’. The attitude of Paul and others in the Jewish religious hierarchy shows us the danger of self-righteousness. So quickly, they had forgotten the wise counsel of Gamaliel, who had cautioned the Sanhedrin about moving against those of "This Way" in such a manner: "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." (Acts 5:38-39). If this "way" was against God, would it not come to naught? Why is it necessary for men to imprison and kill others in "the name of God". Is not God capable of defending his own glory? Paul’s unique background gives us a glimpse of why he was so important to God. Here is a man who spoke at least seven languages, possessed dual Roman and Jewish citizenship, a highly respected, well educated Pharisee; a Hebrew of the Hebrews. Indeed, Paul was all that AND a bag of Chips. J Yet, with all of these impressive credentials, Paul was still lacking in the simple knowledge of God. In a similar way, sometimes because we are so sure that what we are doing is right, that we can't hear God trying to redirect us and point us in the right direction, so God has to take more severe measures to get our attention and save us from our self-destruction. This is where we meet Paul; a man with much zeal for God, but completely misguided. And on the way to Damascus, Paul encounters the risen savior in a way that turned him around 180 degrees, affecting his life forever. For each of us, after we encounter the Lord on an individual level, we find that rather than completely change us, God simply takes what is already in us, all of our experiences, knowledge and personality traits and flaws, and uses them for his glory. And as we’ll see in the studies to come that all of the things Paul had at his disposal become more valuable because for the Kingdom of God because now they are being used for God’s glory. This is why Paul knocked off of his horse and struck blind, so he could be transformed from an instrument of persecution against the church and be remade into a vessel of honor that was instrumental in building the church. Reggie ***** Acts 9:10-19 Exodus 1 Memory Verses: John 8:35-36 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, So much for days off, the job I was protecting marked up yesterday. I am still taking the weekend though, too much work, and not enough play. I am working on the May schedule and will have it posted in a few days, when I get it ready, I will email it and post it on the website. A man on a mission, can you imagine the fear that Ananias must have felt when the Lord spoke to him? Ananias had walked the walk, and talked the talk, he was an example in his neighborhood and was accepted as genuine by all the Jews living in Damascus, Acts 22:12. 9:10 Imagine if you will, you are praying and the Lord approaches you in such a manner. What would be your reaction? "Here I am, Lord" is commendable. Remember though, at this time in History, the people present had witnessed Jesus being killed, buried, and some had met with him before the ascension. For a vision from the Lord to take place, may not have been expected, but would hardly seem out of the ordinary. Jesus had promised a helper that would come after he left the earth. People were constantly being healed in Jesus name, demons cast out in His name, and all kinds of miracles were taking place. A vision was mild by comparison to everything else that was going on. 9:11-12 The Lord's commission to Ananias. He was given direct instruction regarding where Saul was and what had happened. 9:13-14 Ananias' objection. Apparently the word had arrived before Saul of his mission to persecute the saints. His reputation preceded him. According to the commentaries, it was about a 7 day journey between Jerusalem and Damascus. The word had traveled fast, and everyone was aware of who Saul was, as well as detailed instruction regarding his mission. Saul was one contrary character, he was like James Bond, he had a license to kill. Ananias sounds like the kind of guy that would readily answer the Lord, and readily follow Him in any case, but in the case of this Saul, he just wanted to make sure there was not a mistake. Here Ananias gives us a very good example of what it means to be a servant for the Lord. He also shows us that it is natural for us to have fears, and sometimes, such as this one, God will answer our fears and comfort us in guiding us to do His will. 9:15-16 The Lord answers his objection. How often do we think of the Lord as one who is standing over us with a big stick, ready to whack us if we screw up, or if we deviate from His instruction. We seem to have a very short version of what the Lord had said to Saul because in v. 17, The vision on the road and the instructions are mentioned, as well as additional instructions which are listed in Acts 22:13-16. Another observation on this, the Lord had hand-picked Saul for a great ministry. He was to preach to the "Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;" Look at this note: "Saul was to become Paul, the apostle to the uncircumcised (Rom. 11:13 ; Gal. 2:2 , 7-8 ; Eph. 3:8 ), including kings ( cf. Governor Felix [Acts 24:1-23 ], Governor Porcius Festus [ 24:27-25:12 ], King Herod Agrippa II [ 25:13-26:32 ], and possibly Emperor Nero [ 25:11 ]). The apostle, of course, also ministered to “the people of Israel” ( cf. 9:20 ; 13:5 , 14 ; 14:1 ; 17:2 , 10 , 17 ; 18:4 , 19 ; 19:8 ; 26:17-20 ; Rom. 1:16 ). How amazing that the one who persecuted Christians so violently should himself be transformed into a witness of the gospel—and such a dynamic, forceful witness at that!" cf. confer , compare Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures, Ac 9:15. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985. How much must Saul suffer? He suffered a lot, and the Lord made sure that he survived. Paul suffered many beatings and whippings, and ended his days in prison. For a great summation look at 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. The Lord forgave his sin at the cross, yet he bore significant penalties for the sin that he had committed. I can't find anywhere where Paul cries about the unjust treatment that he received because he was a Christian, and forgiven. Rather, he recognizes all the persecution and hardships that he went through as blessings. Again referring to 2 Corinthians 12:7-11 Paul regards his hardships as power, as reassurances that God is his strength, his life. The penalty of sin, we seem to think today that when we ask forgiveness, God completely wipes our slate clean, removing all the bad effects from our lives of our sin. Here is a good example of someone who sinned, murdered and tortured people, in the end was forgiven, his slate wiped clean by God, and still had to suffer many of the same humiliations that he had dished out before. In the answer, it almost seems as if God is saying, you watch his life, he will receive payback for what he has done. We have a couple of sayings that go along with this, that which goes around, comes around, and things have come full circle. Although I don't see God as a vengeful God, this verse does cast an interesting light on the subject. Comments? 9:17-19 Once Ananias was sure it was correctly heard, he went forth with the plan. Can you imagine how frightened he was? Or perhaps he was fully confident that the Lord had come through, in spite of who Saul was. Yet he immediately went to find Saul, and addressed him as "brother", reminding Saul of what had happened three days earlier, and carried out the mission that God had sent him on. Ananias laid hands on Saul, physically touched him as he was directed to, God directed the ministry of laying on of hands. Saul in like form, believed in Jesus, was baptized and moved forth with his new Christian life. A quick application, it may be nothing, it is an uncanny parallel, Saul was knocked to the ground three days before, and blinded. In reality, he lived his life before Jesus blind, and he had finally reached the end of his life up to that time. He virtually died to the old Saul when he was knocked off the horse. God let him remain blind for 3 days, and then sent a brother to heal him and call him forth. This is similar to Jesus being dead for three days before raising to a new life. Paul after the three days was born into a new life. And everything changed, he was a new creation, Galatians 2:20. Now he went forth with the same vigor as before, only preaching Jesus instead of against Jesus. God knows His ultimate plan for our lives, and moves to bring it about. Lord, as we study the conversion of Saul, show us Your will through our lives. Make us willing vessels for Your purpose to be brought to pass. In Him, Joe Turner. ***** Acts 9:10-19 Why did Paul have to suffer so? I don’t think that it was payback per se (even though the Bible clearly teaches that whatsoever a man sows that he shall reap – [Gal 6:7]), but rather that through tremendous suffering, Paul was able to demonstrate the remarkable power of God that rested upon and within him: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9). If you look at some of the hardships and difficulties that Paul endured, and yet was willing to continue showing those hating him the most the love of God, then you can understand that Paul really lived his words: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20) What a testimony! May we all grow to be crucified with our Lord so that he may live through us today. Reggie ****** Acts 9:10-19 Again I see God's providence in all things. Like in the previous chapter with the eunuch and Philip, here he brings Saul to Ananias with all the necessary preparations. And God often brings us face-to-face we the very things we fear, showing us time and time again He is in control. Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shelley ~ Normzrib ****** Acts 9:20-31 Exodus 2 Memory Verses: John 8:35-36 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, Today is Sunday, so I am going to keep it short. I am also fighting a cold that hit me all of a sudden today. I'm beefing up on vitamin c and zinc, hope to be back to full force soon. Acts 9:20-22 Saul totally changed his lifestyle. He started preaching Jesus, and proclaiming that Jesus is the Son of God. It was such a complete change that everyone was amazed. Try to picture the complete and radical change that had taken place in his life. I am sure that many of us who was saved outside the church. Meaning, we weren't raised in the church can relate to this. Our lives changed overnight. Those who are fortunate enough to be raised in the church don't always see this type of change at their conversion. 9:23-25 Saul preached Jesus, and he was going against the grain of the people who were formerly supporting him. Now he was a bigger threat to them than all the Christians combined, since he went to the other side. The verdict, they sought to kill him. They were watching the gates so that they could kill him, but he was delivered by being lowered through an opening in the wall in a basket. Imagine, just a few days prior, he was breathing threats and murder from his mouth, now he is sneaking away from the city like a criminal. He went from being in total control to being on the run. 9:26-31 Saul had a rough start in Jerusalem, no-one believed him. When Barnabas stepped up and paved the way for him, it gave him the liberty to move freely in Jerusalem, and preach boldly. The Hellenistic Jews decided it was time to eliminate Saul, so once again, he is on the run. He was so forceful in his previous attitude that no one picked up the ball to persecute the Jews. Peace came to the Church, and it grew tremendously. Exodus 2 So much is covered in this chapter, and a lot of it we have already gone over earlier in Acts. Moses, a Levite, was born and adopted into Pharaoh's house. He was trained and raised as an Egyptian, yet his own mother acted as a nurse to him and somehow instilled his heritage in his thinking. He managed to retain the knowledge from his roots, and when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew that he killed the Egyptian. His sin of murder found him out and he ran to Midian to escape his penalty. There he became involved with a shepherds family, and became a part of it. God remembered the trouble of the Hebrews, and the story continues tomorrow. I just noticed a little interesting parallel here. Paul, after conversion also was lowered in a basket to escape death. The lowering wasn't what saved him, it was what preserved him in order for him to serve God in the way that he was called. In Moses case, the basket saved him from wrath, and made it possible for him to live to carry out God's will. God is in the business of taking care of his servants. We may not always agree with that statement, as with Paul suffering all the persecution that he did, and the prophets suffering many forms of torture and death. The point is that God does what it takes to get His plan fulfilled, even to the point of having us lowered in a basket. He has a plan for each one of our lives, and will make sure that we have the opportunity to fulfill that plan. Lord, as we focus upon Your word today, enable us to remember the way that you took care of these Moses and Saul, and that You take care of us in the same manner. I pray that you will comfort our hearts and show us how to stay in Your perfect will for our lives. In Him, Joe Turner. ***** Acts 9:20-31 My word for today (haha) is proving (sunbibazwn) in verse 22 - it just grabbed me. Robertson's Word Pictures says: ... old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. It is the very word that Luke will use in Acts 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality "the Messiah" (o Cristoß). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Acts 17:3). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. " May this be said of us Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. I am two-phasing comments today because of my work schedule. Any I have on Exodus 2 will come later. Be blessed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shelley (Suge) Normzrib ****** Acts 9:20-31 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established." (Deut. 19:15) The application of this Old Testament scripture makes all the difference for here for Paul. Because of his former persecution of the church, no one in Jerusalem was willing to accept his witness as a believer. In the minds of most the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, the blood of Stephen was still on Paul's hands. Indeed, the last time anyone in Jerusalem had seen Paul, he had just consented to Stephen's death and was heading towards to Damascus to bring more Christian prisoners to the high priest. Because Stephen had been brought before the council based on false testimony, was it not unreasonable for the believers to think that this was a ploy by Paul to trap the unsuspecting? While those of the faith were willing to reject Paul's testimony, they could not so easily dismiss the witness of Barnabas. Yet the important point here is not so Barnarbas’ being willing to attest to Paul's words, but rather, Paul's faithfulness to God's call when he was converted in Damascus which Barnabas witnessed first hand. When a person has made a commitment to God and professes a change of life, God sees the heart and knows whether or not that commitment is true. Unfortunately, what man only sees is whether or not that person has been true and faithful to that which they are professing. The believer's strongest witness is not so their knowledge of scripture but rather their ability to faithfully and consistently live what they are preaching to others. After regaining his sight and being baptized, Paul immediately went to work for the Lord, preaching and proving by the scriptures that Jesus was the very Christ (Acts 9:20-22). Paul's faithfulness to God did not go unnoticed, for God had placed Barnabas in the same city to not only witness Paul's preaching, but Barnabas was also be aware of the plot to end Paul's life. A short time later, we find Barnabas testifying to that which he had observed first hand which opened the door for Paul to be received in Jerusalem. "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." (1 Cor. 4:2). If there is something that God has called you to do, the best thing simply is to be faithful in that which he has called you. You never know in addition to God who may be watching, and it may well be that one day you may also need to have your witness established by the testimony of others… Food for thought Reggie ***** Acts 9:32-43 Exodus 3 Memory Verses: Philippians 4:6-7 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, New Memory Verses Today! Memory verses to date: Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:10, 19; John 1:12; 3:17; 8:35-36 15:5; Romans 1:12; 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13; 1 John 1:5-7; 5:11-12; Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 4:12; 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 2:15 ;3:15-16; Galatians 5:22-23,25; Mark 8:35-36; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 7:7-8 Today we are focusing on two fantastic stories regarding Peter's ministry. The first involves a paralyzed man, and the second a dead woman. 9:32-35 Peter found Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for 8 years. In a period of 8 years all of the muscles in his body probably had deteriated to nothing. Yet here, Peter speaks a word, he is healed by Jesus, instantly. And he is instantly strong. The word for "found" seems to imply that he was not just stumbled upon, but that Peter sought him out until he found him. It is also interesting that there is not a request to be healed recorded by Aeneas. The point of the healing seems to be to glorify God. To make God known by demonstrating His power. It is important that people recognized that it was the Lord's power that healed the man, and not Peter's. 9:36 A little on Tabitha's character. First she was a disciple. She was devoted to learning about the Lord and applying the truths to her life. She lived the Christian life, when I think of a disciple, I think of one who is determined to live the life completely daily. The second thing about her is that she also demonstrated her belief by acts of charity and deeds of kindness. Her faith was genuine, and evidenced itself in her works. 9:27-42 Peter came to town, and was made aware of the great saint that had died. It does not seem to be a gathering just to tell him how great she was, they seemed to be intensely focused on getting Peter there. Notice that Peter does not touch her body until after she is raised from the dead. This is important, because under the law, you weren't to touch a dead person, you would be considered to be unclean for 7 days afterward. Leviticus 21:1; Numbers 5:2; 9:6-10; 19:11. Peter was a Jew, and he held firmly to the Jewish faith, as well as holding firmly to his new-found Messiah. Notice that after she was raised, he helped her to her feet. Another point on this, she didn't ask to be healed or raised from the dead. It seems to be redundant to point this out, it is a case of the faith of the saints that came through, not the person being healed. Look at the similarities between this story, and the story of the little girl, in Mark 5:34-43. Jesus had Peter present with Him when he raised this little girl up from the dead. If you look at both stories, you will see that the same pattern was followed in the person already being dead, then clearing the room, prayer, and raising the dead. Peter was taught by Jesus, and given special healing power, perhaps this is part of "the keys" in Matthew 16:17-19. I found this note on Peter's philosophy of ministry, and thought you might enjoy it as well: We usually think of the Apostles as leaders who told other people what to do, but often the people commanded them! (For Peter’s “philosophy of ministry” read 1 Peter 5 .) Peter was a leader who served the people and was ready to respond to their call. Peter had the power to heal, and he used the power to glorify God and help people, not to promote himself. Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. "An Exposition of the New Testament Comprising the Entire 'BE' Series"--Jkt., Ac 9:36. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996, c1989. This is a little different perspective than what we are used to, Peter carried out the will of his flock, he wasn't free-lancing, but rather, he was sensitive to the needs of the church body where he was visiting. How often do we see people deliver speeches with an agenda. They are eager to prove their point, and use the pulpit as a lever to bring the point across. Yet here, Peter is sensitive to the needs of those around him. A little different perspective. Could it be that Peter, in his forceful earlier days when he was a disciple of Jesus, and then with the denial of Jesus, learned a very important lesson regarding humility? 1 Peter 5:6 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time..." Most important of all, the test of the Lord being in a movement, people got saved. That's it, the evidence of an effective ministry is the salvation of souls. Although this is hard to gage in many ministries, the ultimate purpose of the church here on earth is not to function as a body only, but to work as an evangelistic tool for Jesus. If people are not being led to the Lord, what's the point? Have we became an exclusive country club, where others are locked out and only the "blue-blood" are allowed to enter? Peter set the example for us, when he ministered, people were pointed to Jesus. He was willing to live with a tanner, (looking at the next note), and he was willing to travel to spread the word. When I think on this, evangelism is the key word through the entire New Testament, yet it is one of the most neglected in our churches today. 9:43 One final observation, Peter stayed many days with Simon the Tanner. This is interesting because it went against the Jewish traditions. Peter by staying with a tanner, who was considered unclean because he was always touching dead animals. Therefore, he was not to be associated with, especially not by a teacher. Leviticus 11:35-40. Does this show that Peter is straying from the strict rule of the law, and becoming a little more relaxed in his new relationship with the Messiah? Lord, as we study Your word today, help us to see the world through Your eyes, open our eyes and loosen our tongues to speak Your word and be ready at each opportunity. In Him, Joe Turner. ***** Acts 9:32-43 Look at the similarities between this story, and the story of the little girl, in Mark 5:34-43. Jesus had Peter present with Him when he raised this little girl up from the dead. If you look at both stories, you will see that the same pattern was followed in the person already being dead, then clearing the room, prayer, and raising the dead. Peter was taught by Jesus, and given special healing power, perhaps this is part of "the keys" in Matthew 16:17-19. Note in the example, the Mark scripture - the Jairus' daughter was touched by Jesus before life was restored ... Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. As said, Peter was there to have Jesus as his example. Addressing the above and Joe's latter comment on Acts 9:43 One final observation, Peter stayed many days with Simon the Tanner. This is interesting because it went against the Jewish traditions. Peter by staying with a tanner, who was considered unclean because he was always touching dead animals. Therefore, he was not to be associated with, especially not by a teacher. Leviticus 11:35-40. Does this show that Peter is straying from the strict rule of the law, and becoming a little more relaxed in his new relationship with the Messiah?: I believe Peter was coming to a new understanding. It was, however, in the upcoming chapter that Peter through a vision is provided a full reconsideration of clean and unclean. On ministry, it seems that once again somewhere along the lines something creeps in to the Church to distort the true intent - as ministry was meant to be service which Peter seems to understand. What deviation we might see today may come from what I once mentioned as the "tractor beam of power" with reference to Simon of Chapter 8 and, maybe, arrogance which I think is prevalent in the Church at large today. Exodus 3 Touching again on my remarks regarding Moses when we were dealing with Stephen, the reasons Moses fled Egypt and the further humility learned in the subsequent 40 years with his father-in-laws' household tempered him. I remarked that he who was mentioned to be quite well with words is a reluctant spokesperson now, albeit not unwilling to accept the task the Lord has put forth. Maybe once he would have not hesitated to feel adequate and now (as we come to realize fully who we are in Christ) willing but inadequate - a quite useable trait for the Lord. Quite the opposite of the arrogance that sometimes creeps into "leadership" in the Church. (Wow, it all tied in!) Selah -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Normzrib ***** Interesting note, also, on the similarities of the words of Christ in Mark 5:41 and Peter’s words in Acts 9:40. “Little girl” (Taleitha) is very close to Tabitha (Tabeitha). Jesus healed paralytics, Peter was used of God to heal Aeneas. Jesus raised the dead daughter, Peter is used of God to raise Tabitha. Lee ***** Acts 9:32-43 What struck me about the healing of Aeneas was that because Lydda was a small town, everyone basically knew everyone and for Aeneas to have been in his condition for 8 years meant that the entire city was familiar with him and his plight. Because Aeneas' healing done instantly, it was an obvious miracle that could not be disputed and the result was basically the entire city turned to God (v. 35). I also see this connection with Dorcas in the remainder of the chapter: A person well known to all those in the area, a great miracle taking place and the entire area being converted as they knew how things were before God moved. While this may seem an oversimplification of the end of the chapter, the main point is that the signs and wonders being accomplished by the Apostles (through the power of the holy spirit) in the early days of the church were given to draw men back to the Lord. Unfortunately somewhere along the line, the simplicity of this fact became lost, and in our present day we have people proclaiming to perform signs and wonders in the name of the lord, but the true purpose seems to be to draw men to the messenger and not to God. In his notes, Joe spoke of Peter's servant heart, which seems to be so lacking in Christian leadership today. Let each of us keep that true servant heart in mind so that we are not led astray by the other extreme: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Mt. 24:24) Reggie |
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