Bible Commentary from the instructors of The School of Ministry, New Life Fellowship Church: Dr. Don Armagost, Dr. Terry L. Weems, and Pastor/Teacher Tasha Dillon
“Helping Those in Need” is the lesson this week and it is the practice that all Christians should be addicted to on an ongoing basis. This study is found in the book of Acts chapter 9 which is a transitional chapter in the book in which God is attempting to get his people out of Jerusalem and into the uttermost parts of the World as what he originally stated in Acts 1:8. Peter finally responds to the call and heads down to Lydda, located about 30 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
When he arrives, God in his sovereignty arranges for him to meet Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for 8 years.
With this man being bed-ridden for 8 years, not able to feed himself, turn over, use the restroom, provide for himself, etc. somebody had to take care of him. Thank God for the faithful caretakers who took care of him till he was able to have an encounter with Christ. When Peter prays for him he says in v. 34, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.”
The term make whole in Greek implies completely whole in respect to both the physical and spiritual aspects. Did you notice that Peter was not promoting himself but instead he promoted only Jesus Christ as the source of his snatching from a sad situation? Again, the greatest help that we can provide for people is to help take care of them till they have an encounter with Christ who is able to make every man whole.
The result of this man being healed by the power of Jesus is found in v. 35 “And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.”
We find that the impact of this healing is felt in another city also, the region of Saron. When we do something good, the impact of the good news will be felt away from home. I love the end result. The paralyzed man told it and those who heard it turned to the Lord. The end result of all healing should be that God will be glorified. When you and I participate in helping others God is glorified.
The news of the healing of Aeneus opens up another opportunity in the city of Joppa with a woman by the name of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. Now when one reads the Bible, it speaks of Tabitha as a woman who was full of good works and almsdeeds. She had a reputation for helping others. We can’t do everything but we all can do something. Tabitha made coats and other clothing articles especially for widows in her town. The widows would be a class of people who would usually be poor.
Notice what the Bible says in v. 37 “And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died……”
Her good works didn’t stop her from dying but God was still glorified in her death. Tabitha’s good works was spoken of by the people to Peter even after she had died. The people knew the apostle Peter was in a nearby town so when Tabitha died they broke the usual custom of immediate burial and laid her in the chamber till they could get Peter in town. Peter responded to the call to help again and came to the city of Joppa. When Peter arrives he put the people out of the room just as Jesus had put the people out of the room of Jarius daughter (see Luke 8:51).
What a miracle! The Bible states the following:
Acts 9:40 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
When we reach out to offer help to people, the power of Christ can be manifested in our lives and God can bring glory to himself. After being made aware in prayer that it was the will of God for this woman to live and not die, Peter proceeded to help in prayer and God did the rest. The greatest help that we can offer people when somebody’s trouble is beyond us (such as death) is to pray for them and watch God perform a miracle.
I close with the result of Peter’s prayer and Tabitha’s resurrection:
Acts 9:42 “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”
Peter helped by going and checking on the saints who lived in other areas besides Jerusalem. Aeneus family and friends helped by taking care of him till he could have an encounter with Christ. Aeneus helped by testifying of the goodness of God in healing his paralytic body. Tabitha helped the widows in her city by making much needed clothing for them. Jesus helped by doing that which man could not do (raise the dead). Let’s do all we can to help others and God will do all that we cannot.
Dr. Terry L. Weems
