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Lesson 17

On the Road with Peter

Acts 9:32-43

 I have often discovered that the best laid plans often do not work out as I expected.  In Proverbs 16:9 the writer says, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”  This certainly does not mean that we are not to prepare for the future or stop learning or just wait around to see what is going happen.  For many years as I studied the Bible, I could not figure out why God had given me such a passion.  It seemed that I was doing it for my own growth.  What I learned that in order to teach or lead or whatever God is calling us to do that He gives the person the drive to know all that he needs to know to carry out the task.  I do not know what God has planned for my future, but I do know that I want to be ready when He says this is the next step for you to take.

Sometimes In the church we spend more time talking about what we are going to do than actually performing the tasks.  We have by-laws, constitutions and manuals of procedures which often times hinder us from following God’s leading.  We find ourselves having to try figure out what to do or how to work around man made rules to perform the ministries to which God has called the church.  In our lesson today and next week we will see a man who just went where God led him and found that the situations for service just came to him.  We must keep our eyes open to what is occurring around us.  If we do, we will be able to discern the reason that God has brought people and situations into our lives.

Acts 9:32

None of the events that took place in the life of Peter would have occurred if he had remained in Jerusalem.  Peter probably felt a freedom and the leading of the Holy Spirit to travel more since the hostility against the church had stopped for a while.  Prior to the incidents that follow, there may have been a sense that his leadership was not needed as much in Jerusalem to keep the church together in the face of the persecution that took place under Saul.  Now there was peace and Peter could leave the church in hands of other leaders like James. 

The healings in Lydda and Joppa opened the door to the real purpose God had planned for him.  There is no indication why he happened to be travelling through those regions west of Jerusalem. It would not appear to be a continuation of the trip he had made with John because he is the only one mentioned.

1. Why did Peter begin travelling more at this point?
2. What more could he accomplish by remaining in Jerusalem?
3. In what ways was it detrimental to the growth of God’s kingdom for him and others to continue to just serve in Jerusalem?
4. What was the challenge for him?

Acts 9:33-35

We do know what took place in Lydda.  He first healed a man named Aeneas.  This opened the door for many from Lydda and Sharon to become followers of Christ.  It is interesting that there was no call by the disciples for Peter to heal the man.   As a result of the miracle many in those two cities became followers of Christ? 

1. What did Peter appear to be doing in Lydda?
2. Why do we not see any reference to Peter preaching?
3. Just looking at the setting in which the healing occurred what does it tell us about what Peter hoped to accomplish?
4. What was special about Aeneas that God should heal him?
5. How is it people became believers without the sharing of the gospel by Peter?

Acts 9:36-37

In the nearby city of Joppa another drama was being played out that would affect Peter’s life.  There was a disciple there by the name of Tabitha or Dorcas in Greek.  Tabitha took her Christianity seriously.  It was said of her that she continually performed acts of kindness and charity.  As the narrative continues it is said that Tabitha died and was prepared for burial.  As tragic as this event was in the lives of those who knew her, there was a sense of hope.

1. What are the admirable qualities that are seen in the life of Tabitha?
2. Why was a person like her so important to those who knew her?
3. Why did they not bury her immediately, as is the custom in the Middle East?
4. Why was there, in their minds, hope for a different outcome?

Acts 9:38-39

Peter now enters the scene.  Rather that burying Tabitha on the day of her death they sent for him.  He was still in Lydda so two men were sent to ask him to come with them.  The Scripture does not mention that they asked him to raise her from the dead but only implored him to come with them.  Upon arriving he was confronted by those who had benefited from Tabitha’s kindness.

1. Why was Tabitha not buried immediately?
2. What did they hope Peter would be able to do?
3. Who would benefit by Tabitha being brought to life?
4. What thought was given to what it would mean for her to be raised from the dead? 

Acts 9:40-42   

Peter put everyone out of the room.  He then prayed.  Only then did he speak her name.  Upon hearing her name she opened her eyes and sat up.  Peter then extended his hand and she got up.  He then called all of the saints and widows “presented her alive.”

As would be expected the word of what happened went throughout the city.  Once again many who heard became followers of Christ?

1. Why were the widows showing Peter the things that Tabitha had made?
2. Why did Peter put all of the people out of the room?
3. For whose benefit was Tabitha raised?
4. What was the good that came out of this event?
5. What could be the witness of Tabitha from that point on in her life?

Acts 9:43

This is an important verse that should not glossed over. In it there is the continuing change taking place in Peter’s life.  The verse reads, “Peter stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.” Why is this verse so important?  To answer one only needs to look at the way the Jewish religious would view such a man as Simon.  Because he constantly worked with the skins of animals he would have been considered unclean by the Jewish religious leaders and would not have been allowed to worship in the temple.  Peter puts aside all those rules and stayed with an unclean man.  He could not know it but, this time also was preparing him for what lay ahead which will be discussed next week.

1. Why would Simon be considered unclean according to the Jewish religion?
2. What did this mean in terms of his ability to worship in the temple?
3. What was happening in the life of Peter that he would not have any problem staying with such a man?
4. Why did Peter remain in Joppa?
5. Why are we not given any more information about Peter’s activities there? 

During the coming week as you think about this lesson, you should spend your time

• Praying that God would continue to provide unexpected opportunities for you to witness.
• Consider how you might use the gifts God has given you in service here at Bethany Place
• Put your own agenda, wants and needs aside and consider how you might encourage and help others.

We need to learn to seize every opportunity to serve wherever we find ourselves.  Although one of the primary ways to witness is through the spoken word we need to realize the smallest deed done in kindness can have tremendous affect on a person’s life.  As others see us acting in a Christ-like manner they will be drawn to the Savior we lovingly serve.  Let us use all the tools God has provided to us to advance His kingdom.

Additional notes:

C-Peter healed Aeneas of a paralysis that had kept him bedridden for eight years.  As a result of the healing many in Lydda and Sharon came to know the Lord. (Acts 9:32-36)

GC-A follower of Christ abounds with deeds of kindness and charity. (Acts 9:36)

C-Tabitha a disciple who lived in Joppa died.  When Peter came he prayed for Tabitha, Dorcas, and God brought her back to life.  This act brought many in Joppa to Christ. (Acts 9:36-42)

 C-Peter spent many days with a man named Simon.  He was a tanner.  Therefore, he would be considered unclean according to the Jews. (Acts 9:43)