We are either coming into a storm or waiting to go into one. We are Christ’s body and we provide healing in this world through God’s Word. Peter is able to go about preaching with more freedom now that Saul is no longer persecuting the Church.

1 – Peter restores a cripple (vs. 33-34)

You get blessings from God that you don’t even ask for! We are not told that this man prayed to God for healing.

• A painful man. (vs. 33) – For eight years this man could not move around. He had no doubt done all that he could to be healed. It was to no avail. When you can’t move you get painful bed sores. Pain is unavoidable in many circumstances. All of us will feel the winds of pain.
• A powerful miracle (vs. 34) – Peter does not try to take the glory for himself. He does not say “I heal you”. It is Jesus Christ who makes this man whole. This is contrast to many today who claim to heal. This man is commanded to arise and he immediately he gets up. He put his faith into action. He does not have to go for a clinical check-up or go into therapy. It is instantaneous healing and miracles in the Bible. The word is spoken and it is done. This is the way God works. Salvation is just like that. We were cripples and we have been healed instantaneously. When we are saved we get it all. See Colossians 2:10 – “We are complete in Him”. Salvation is the greatest miracle of all. You can see how people are preparing for the storm by the way they behave when the storm comes.

2 – Peter raises a corpse (vs. 35-40)

Notice the three things about Dorcas.

• Her deeds. (vs. 35 – 36). Dorcas was a beautiful woman of God who died. She had made coats and garments. (vs. 39) She had a sowing talent and she gave it to the Lord and it became a gift. The gifts of the Spirit in the Bible are not exhaustive. They are suggestive. In the Bible the list of gifts are never the same. Not many people would deny that singing is a gift. It may be a talent but if used for God it is elevated to a gift. It is used for the glory of God. Dorcas would use her hands to create lovely garments. Now she is dead they are displaying her work.
• Her death. (vs. 37). She died suddenly and you wonder why? You get good godly Christians who are taken away and wicked people who live to a hundred. Every day is a day of thanksgiving. We should live each day as if it is our last day on earth.
• Her deliverance. (vs. 38-40). Peter speaks in the Aramaic just like Jesus had done. They had not buried her immediately. They ran to tell Peter and he headed to Joppa. The funeral is taking place. There is weeping and grief. God raised her from the dead. There was now great joy. Here are some things to remember:-

1. Dark days will come upon believers. It cannot be avoided.
2. It is not wrong to express your grief. It is not a sin to cry.
3. Look to God for the answers. The first thing Peter did was that he knelt down and prayed.
4. Ignore the temptation to give up. You just don’t know when the victory is going to come. It comes in God’s time. He knows what he is doing.
5. When victory comes, give thanks to God. The whole town and surrounding area turn to Jesus. You never know what God will do. God wants us to be a witness to Jesus. He brings healing for the hurting.

Categories: Acts