Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. (Acts 9:32-33)
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:34-35) Jesus promised, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12) From the moment the apostles and disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they had been doing the works that Christ did, they did also.
At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha [Aramaic], which is translated Dorcas [Greek]. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. (Acts 9:36-38)
This disciple, Tabitha became sick and died, but other disciples still sent for Peter to come. Why? Just like with Jesus, when Lazarus was sick, his sisters Mary and Martha sent for Jesus because they believed, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” (John 11:21-22; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life - 2) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. (Acts 9:39)
What a beautiful testimony to Tabitha's life, that the widows stood by him weeping weren't hired mourners, as was the custom, but that they genuinely knew and cared about this woman. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:30-31) But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. (Acts 9:40)
Yet again, in everything Peter did, he did in the name of Jesus the Christ, and he followed Christ's example, by removing the spectators and praying to God the Father. (Matthew 9:18-26; see THE GOSPEL: Life More Than Flesh) And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. (Acts 9:40-41)
What Peter did wasn't anything new. Jesus had done the same kinds of miracles when he was physically with the apostles and disciples, and many of the prophets before then had done similar miracles. (I Kings 17:17-24) Almost every time one of these miracles is recorded in scripture, it concludes with the fact that those who witnessed these miracles ended up believing the Word of God, or believing on Jesus. That should always be the intention and goal, just as it was here; And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. (Acts 9:42-43)
Jesus explained the purpose of miracles, “This sickness [or whatever condition] is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life - 1)" “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me." (John 12:44-45) The miracles prove that God is real and that Christ Jesus is the Son of God, the Word of God in the flesh.
There is no other faith, belief or religion that glorifies God in this way. All others teach that we have to work to earn; that we have the power inside of us naturally; that all paths lead to God. We who are saved however are believers of "the Way" (Acts 9:2) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) AMEN!
If we want to do the greater works, then we have to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and do all things in the name of Jesus the Christ. Jesus reassured us, "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." (John 16:26-27) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (I John 5:14-15) Even the power the heal!
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