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Chapter 39—The Ministry of Peter
This chapter is based on
Acts 9:32 to 11:18
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Peter, in pursuance of his work, visited the saints at Lydda.
There he healed Aeneas, who had been confined to his bed for
eight years with the palsy. “And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus
Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose
immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and
turned to the Lord.”
Joppa was near Lydda, and at that time Tabitha—called Dorcas
by interpretation—lay there dead. She had been a worthy disciple of
Jesus Christ, and her life had been characterized by deeds of charity
and kindness to the poor and sorrowful, and by zeal in the cause of
truth. Her death was a great loss; the infant church could not well
spare her noble efforts. When the believers heard of the marvelous
cures which Peter had performed in Lydda, they greatly desired
him to come to Joppa. Messengers were sent to him to solicit his
presence there.
“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they
brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by
him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas
made, while she was with them.” Peter had the weeping and wailing
friends sent from the room. He then knelt down and prayed fervently
to God to restore life and health to the pulseless body of Dorcas;
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“and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened
her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her
his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and
widows, presented her alive.” This great work of raising the dead to
life was the means of converting many in Joppa to the faith of Jesus.
The Centurion
“There was a certain man of Caesarea called Cornelius, a cen-
turion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one
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