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OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: MEANWHILE, BACK WITH THE APOSTLES

BRUCE C WEARNE, in his examination of the Book of Acts, looks at the incident in which Peter visits Lydda and Aeneas is healed…

And it happened that in his comings and goings across the region, Peter also visited the saints who were living at Lydda. And there he came upon a man, by name of Aeneas who, having been paralysed, had been confined to his bed for eight years. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and get dressed!” And he got up immediately. And when all those living in Lydda and Sharon saw him (walking around), they turned to the Lord. (Acts 9:32-35/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)

GET UP AND GET DRESSED: Aeneas, a paralysed man, was healed when Peter visited him in Lydia. PICTURE: www.freeimages.com


IN A NUTSHELL

Peter continues Jesus’ healing ministry, and the work expands.

When Luke concludes the section dealing with Saul’s conversion he tells us that believers in Galilee, Samaria and Judaea (Jerusalem) had been amazingly united overcoming years of separation and contention. This was indeed a miraculous work of God’s Spirit, a breath-taking breakthrough. It’s importance for supporting the way of life that carried the Good News should not be underestimated. In the earliest decades of the church’s life this momentous development could not be denied.

Now Luke tells us what he knew about Peter’s activities at this time, going here and there among believers. Had the danger of arrest and imprisonment passed with the conversion of Saul? It seems that we are now being told of activity that could take place when that threat had eased.

Luke tells his story in a way that helps us see that the apostles, though given important work by Jesus Himself, were not in control of the events by which the Holy Spirit was pushing out the boundaries of His work, their life. Besides, they were not called to be “in control.” They were to pray and to preach. And so, when it was necessary to appoint the seven, they had said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word” (6:4). That is an interesting thing. This is how those Jesus had commissioned to keep His ministry alive (1:1) made their impact.

Some say that we are told about Peter because Luke wanted to give him some kind of equal share, and there may be something in that. After all, from chapter 13 on we have extensive account of Paul’s missionary journeys. But it doesn’t really explain Luke’s intention in writing Acts as he has. Luke tells us how the Holy Spirit led Peter to Joppa via Lydda. Something special began to occur when Peter was at Joppa. Lydda is between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean coast. Going “in and out” among all the believers Peter is indeed like a shepherd, like Jesus (John 10). The healing of Aeneas reminds us of the earlier healing at the temple shortly after the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, the apostolic work included caring for, and healing, the sick. Not only the residents of Lydda were brought under this Shepherd’s care. The people of Sharon, the Samarian coastal plain, knew the blessings of the Lord: “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God; Sharon shall be a pasture for flocks, for my people who sought me” (Isaiah 35:2, 65:10).

The persecution was not necessarily of a majority against a minority, nor of the entire Sanhedrin against one sect. It seems feasible that Gamaliel had used the Sanhedrin to shield Saul’s “sting” but when Saul was converted, the ruse was exposed!

Got a verse or a short passage you’d like us to look at? Just send an email to [email protected].

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