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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 1 - The Foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Syria - Under the Patronage of the Apostle Peter, Guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1 - 12)
B - The Extension of the Gospel of Salvation to Samaria and Syria and the Beginning of Gentile Conversions (Acts 8 - 12)

8. The Wonderful Works of Christ at the Hand of Peter (Acts 9:31-43)


ACTS 9:31-35
31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose. 35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Verse 31 had great importance for Luke, who wrote that the Christian church spread in spite of persecution in the regions known as Palestine, where Jesus also walked. Even in the mountainous regions of Galilee there were churches founded whose founders remain unknown.

When Saul turned to Jesus the Savior, persecution against the Christians lost much of its impulse. The legal experts, in practice more theoretical, were satisfied that Stephen’s death would be a fearful warning to the public. Paul spent three years away from Jerusalem and the persecution ceased for some time. Hatred remained like a smoldering fire hidden under the earth. It did not break out uncontrollably or cause believers open persecution.

The churches between Damascus, Galilee and the seacoast could breathe again. They were edified in the Holy Spirit through love, study of the Scriptures, patience, sacrifice, and communion. The fear of the Lord remained in them, which is the beginning of wisdom. The Christians’ joy and love in the Holy Trinity are connected by reverence before the Holy One. If we, with praise and thanksgiving, call God our Father, then we must not forget the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Hallowed be Your name.”

Where churches live before God in love and are filled with the Holy Spirit, the gospel is preached automatically. This type of revival needs no special meetings to promote it, since every believer is a light in the midst of darkness. Every one who is firm in the Lord is like a bright, shining star in the deep-black night, guiding to the way of salvation. Hearts fearful of divine judgment are touched when the Holy Spirit merges the testimony of a changed life with the power of the word. Repentance is crowned by the righteousness of faith. The gospel of salvation guides to Him who was crucified. The new believer is then sealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; He becomes the motivator for our preaching. He speaks to individuals through regenerated believers. Churches become active through the working of His power. How is it with your churches, dear brothers? Do you love one another? Are you steadfast in Christ? Is He the center of your life? Is your public testimony proclaimed to all people through the power of the divine Comforter indwelling you?

Now that the churches had a comforting glow of liberty and peace without persecution, Peter was free to leave Jerusalem, the center of Christianity. He visited all the churches from north to south and from east to west. He also went down to the seacoast, arriving at a town near Joppa (now called Jaffa).

There was a community of saints in Lydda whom the Lord had chosen and called out of the world, making them His own. He had purified them by the blood of Christ and filled them with the kind Spirit. They became saints by grace through their faith in Christ. They had been saved, confirmed, sanctified, and kept in His love.

In spite of these privileges, there were troubles, diseases, and temptations among them. One of the believers had been paralyzed for eight years. Peter heard about him and began searching for his house. He visited him as a faithful minister and spoke to him about Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit was present at this meeting as they prayed together and confessed their sins. Peter confirmed to the paralyzed man that his sins had been remitted, saying: “Brother, Jesus the Christ heals you.” With this statement Peter summed up the whole gospel and confessed publicly that Jesus, the Nazarene, is the true Christ. To Him all authority in heaven and on earth has been given. From Him the powers of salvation and healing flow from one believer to another, as Christ had said: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).

Aeneas, the paralyzed man, heard and believed. Trusting and obeying the apostle, he arose and rolled up his tear-drenched mat. As he sat together with others in prayerful communion, they altogether magnified their Lord. All the believers on the coast who knew this faithful, patient brother rejoiced and were glad. They did not proclaim that Peter had worked a miracle, but that Christ had intervened to heal in the church. The living Lord was glorifying His name with many signs and wonders.

PRAYER: O Lord Jesus, we thank You for the growth of Your church. We magnify You for Your power, which works in Your servants. We pray for strength from You, for our faith is weak. Forgive us our sins, and purify us from all malice. Heal our lukewarmness and help us to proceed in Your way.

QUESTION:

  1. How did Christ heal Aeneas in Lydda?

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