31 “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied. 32 “And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, 33 he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept 34 his bed eight years; for he was palsied. And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee; arise, and make thy 35 bed. And straightway he arose. And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36 “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was 37 full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, 39 Delay not to come on unto us. And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, 40 while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw 41 Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa.”
Golden Text.—“Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” Verse 34.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What was the experience of the churches in Palestine at the time referred to in this lesson? Verse 31. Note 1. (2) How was Peter engaged at this time? and to what place did he come? Verse 32. (3) What man did he find there? From what affliction was he suffering? Verse 33. (4) What did Peter say to him? What was the immediate effect of Peter’s words? Verse 34. Note 2. (5) How extensively was the matter known? What was the result? Verse 35. (6) What disciple is mentioned as residing at Joppa? What was the character of this woman? Verse 36. Note 3. (7) What befell this earnest disciple? What tender care was shown by her friends? Verse 37. (8) Where and for whom did they send? What request did they make? Verse 38. (9) How did Peter respond? What did the friends of Dorcas do when Peter arrived? Verse 39. (10) Then what did Peter do? After he had prayed, what did he say to the dead woman? What was the result? Verse 40. (11) What next did Peter do? Verse 41. Note 4. (12) What was the effect of this miracle in the city? Verse 42. (13) How did Peter supplement this work? Verse 43.
NOTES.
1. Rest from Persecution.—There were two reasons for this: (1) It gradually gave way for want of such a zealous leader as Saul, whose influence and energy had been given to the work before his conversion. (2) The Jews themselves were having trouble. In A.D. 37 Caligula became emperor of Rome, and pressed his claim to divine honors more strenuously than any of his predecessors. In A.D. 39 an altar was erected for his worship in Galilee, and the Jews tore it down. Of course this affront brought persecution upon the Jews themselves, and they had no time for persecuting those who did them no harm. “Were edified.” Thus in the midst of all the world’s turmoils, Christianity may prosper and Christians be “multiplied” if disciples will but walk “in the fear of the Lord.”
2. “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” This is the same testimony that Peter gave when the lame man was healed at the gate of the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10). Healing is creation, and Christ is the Creator. So all healing is by the power of Christ, whatever impostor may manage to gain the credit and appear to be the healer. It is Christ who heals the sin-sick soul; He only can forgive sins. Therefore, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. It is just as truly a miracle of healing to be made a new creature spiritually as it is to be suddenly healed of the worst physical malady, or even to be raised from the dead.
3. Joppa is now called Jaffa. It is on the Mediterranean Sea, thirty miles northwestward of Jerusalem, with which it is connected by railroad—the first in Palestine. Tabitha is Syriac for beauty, or splendor. This good woman was also called Dorcas, which is the Greek for gazelle. The gazelle is a type of timidity, beauty, and grace. This appellation may have signified personal appearance, but it surely described her character, for she was “full of good works and almsdeeds.” That shows that her works were not for outward show, but from the impulse of a kind heart. The person with a benevolent disposition, a sympathetic, helpful nature, always looks beautiful to those who admire beauty of character.
4. The Miracle.—Peter acted on the principle announced by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount: “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 6:6. Manifestly there were none there whose faith could grasp what Peter was moved to ask. So no one need be discouraged in asking because there are no others to join in the petition by faith. It is better to go to God alone, than with a greater number just for the sake of numbers. The real power with God is faith, not numbers. The case was somewhat similar to that of Elisha when the Shunammite’s son was restored to life—it was pleading alone with God.
[See article in another column of the same title as the lesson.]
