A C T S   O F   T H E  /  A PO S T L ES .    

 

The Epistle for Sunday next, is from Chapter 9 in verses 36-43.

 

The scene of this passage is a town Named Joppa, situated on the coast of Israel just South of Tel Aviv. Most of the Epistles we use features the Apostle Paul, but in this story it is the Apostle Peter.

There was a disciple named Tabitha, a Hebrew name, known by a Greek name Dorcas, and she became ill and died. She was washed and laid in a room.  The fellow disciples learned that Peter was near, so sent for him. They met Peter and begged him to come with them quickly, which he did, and they led him to the room where the body lay. There were women who stood beside him weeping and showing him the clothes Tabitha had worn.  He made them go outside.

Peter prayed for her, and turning to the body said, ‘Tabitha arise’.  She opened her eyes, when she saw Peter she got up.  Peter did not say I heal you, he properly said, Jesus Christ healed you. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her to them.  He stayed in the town, where people heard of the action, causing many o turn and believe in the Lord.

Peter saw himself as only a channel of power, and would never claim himself to be a source of power.  This teaches us that sometimes we think we do so much by ourselves, and fail to recognize that what we achieve is through the power of the Lord.

The passage calls people as saints, so called from Paul referring to Church members. The word saints comes from a Greek word which means holy.  It describes that which is different from the ordinary. Here, the Christian is meant to be different from people of the world.   Hence, this was to describe the people of Israel who were specifically holy people, different from people of other nations, God choosing them to be His people and to do His work.

Israel failed in her destiny, being disobedient and rebellious, and by her actions lost privileges, the Church becoming the new Israel. The fact they are chosen is for special purposes of God. The Church must be different from others, being chosen for greater honor, prestige, and glory on earth.

We are saved to serve, and glorify God