A STUDY GUIDE ACTS 9:32-43
1. A Study Guide
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 9:32-43
a) The verses tell about Peter’s miracles in Lydda and Joppa. Peter healed a paralyzed man and raised Tabitha from death back to life.
#1) Acts 9:32
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
i) Saints. The disciples of Christ are called “saints” four times in the book of Acts. It means those who are sanctified or made holy, and this applies to all disciples (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Instead of the word “saints”, we can use the term “holy people” —it means the same thing.
#2) Acts 9:33-35
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
i) Immediately. One characteristic of the healing miracles performed by the apostles was immediacy. The healing was not gradual with a period of convalescence. Nor was there any need to coax the healed into standing up and taking a few faltering steps. The healing was immediate and complete.
ii) All saw him. Another characteristic of the apostolic healing miracles is the quality of testimony. A large number of people saw the man healed, knowing first hand what condition he had been in before the healing.
#3) Acts 9:36-37
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.
i) Good people die. It's hard for us to understand why sickness and death inflict even those who are full of mercy and good works. The death of Dorcas, like the death of any righteous and beloved person, is sad and disheartening. It's hard to see the reason why. Trials and tribulations, sickness and sorrow, death and disappointment —these are facts of life that our faith must face. We rely on the promise of heaven: "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain..." (Revelation 21:4).
#4) Acts 9:38-39
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
i) Peter nearby. It seems that there was nobody in Joppa who could raise the dead. No surprise there. In the normal world, there is never anybody who can raise the dead once death is complete. But on this occasion there was, in a nearby town, an apostle of Jesus Christ who could raise the dead. Knowing this, the disciples at Joppa sent for Peter with urgency. He came to find Dorcas surrounded by women weeping. Since they were widows, this was not the first time death had caused them to weep. But weeping and lamenting, as appropriate as it was, wouldn't bring Dorcas back. However, Peter could.
#5) Acts 9:40-42
40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
i) Tabitha, arise. Tabitha’s return to life must have been a joyful occasion. However she would some day die again and be wept over once more. There's a day coming when all the saints who have died, including Tabitha, shall rise from death never to die again (John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
#6) Acts 9:43
43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
i) God’s manifold grace. The miracle at Joppa caused many to believe. Peter stays on so as to minister to these new believers. But preachers are not the only servants of use in the church. Simon the Tanner also served, by offering hospitality to Peter. So you see, we all have something to contribute: like Dorcas making clothing for the needy; Peter making the gospel and power of Jesus known; Simon the Tanner offering hospitality to God’s workers. Yes, we also serve. Peter himself says, "As each person has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10).
a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.
2. Acts 9:32-43
a) The verses tell about Peter’s miracles in Lydda and Joppa. Peter healed a paralyzed man and raised Tabitha from death back to life.
#1) Acts 9:32
32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
i) Saints. The disciples of Christ are called “saints” four times in the book of Acts. It means those who are sanctified or made holy, and this applies to all disciples (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Instead of the word “saints”, we can use the term “holy people” —it means the same thing.
#2) Acts 9:33-3533 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
i) Immediately. One characteristic of the healing miracles performed by the apostles was immediacy. The healing was not gradual with a period of convalescence. Nor was there any need to coax the healed into standing up and taking a few faltering steps. The healing was immediate and complete.
ii) All saw him. Another characteristic of the apostolic healing miracles is the quality of testimony. A large number of people saw the man healed, knowing first hand what condition he had been in before the healing.
#3) Acts 9:36-3736 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.
i) Good people die. It's hard for us to understand why sickness and death inflict even those who are full of mercy and good works. The death of Dorcas, like the death of any righteous and beloved person, is sad and disheartening. It's hard to see the reason why. Trials and tribulations, sickness and sorrow, death and disappointment —these are facts of life that our faith must face. We rely on the promise of heaven: "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain..." (Revelation 21:4).
#4) Acts 9:38-39
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
i) Peter nearby. It seems that there was nobody in Joppa who could raise the dead. No surprise there. In the normal world, there is never anybody who can raise the dead once death is complete. But on this occasion there was, in a nearby town, an apostle of Jesus Christ who could raise the dead. Knowing this, the disciples at Joppa sent for Peter with urgency. He came to find Dorcas surrounded by women weeping. Since they were widows, this was not the first time death had caused them to weep. But weeping and lamenting, as appropriate as it was, wouldn't bring Dorcas back. However, Peter could.
#5) Acts 9:40-4240 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
i) Tabitha, arise. Tabitha’s return to life must have been a joyful occasion. However she would some day die again and be wept over once more. There's a day coming when all the saints who have died, including Tabitha, shall rise from death never to die again (John 5:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
#6) Acts 9:43
43 And Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
i) God’s manifold grace. The miracle at Joppa caused many to believe. Peter stays on so as to minister to these new believers. But preachers are not the only servants of use in the church. Simon the Tanner also served, by offering hospitality to Peter. So you see, we all have something to contribute: like Dorcas making clothing for the needy; Peter making the gospel and power of Jesus known; Simon the Tanner offering hospitality to God’s workers. Yes, we also serve. Peter himself says, "As each person has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10).
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