Acts 9 - Paul is Converted and Becomes A Powerful Apostle, Peter Raises Tabitha from the Dead - A Simple Prayer in Jesus' name is All We Need!

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Saul’s Conversion

As we have read so far, Saul was one of the leading persecutors of Christians, who Luke calls "people of the Way". I like the term "the way". I once had a bible with that name on the cover. Jesus is the Way. He leads us to God and continues to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life for the rest of our lives. He was so ruthless he even persecuted women. 

But little did Saul know his life was about to change dramatically.  As he was going to Damascus to do some more persecuting, suddenly a blinding light (literally) made him drop to the ground. And then an audible voice said, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me". This gives us a valuable principle if we are being persecuted. When we are being persecuted, they are persecuting the "Jesus who lives in us". Saul was blinded and led back into Damascus. He ate and drank nothing for 3 days. Saul was so overwhelmed about what just happened, he couldn't even eat or drink. 

Meanwhile there was a disciple named Ananias. His world was about to change too. The Lord appeared to him and told him to go find Saul from Tarsus. Ananias was very reluctant to go see a man who had persecuted his brothers and sisters in Christ. But the Lord quickly gave him the reason for his mission. Jesus had set apart Saul as his chosen instrument to be an apostle to the Gentiles, kings, and His people Israel. 

This reminds us that you never know how God is going to use people or even us. I love the term instrument. We are instruments in God's hands. 

God considered Saul His chosen vessel long before there appeared anything worthy in Saul to choose. God knew what He could make of Saul, even when Saul or Ananias didn’t know. - Guzik

Note the words Ananias' gave to Saul. The Lord sent me here to restore your sight and for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul's sight was immediately restores and he got baptized. 

It seems that this is when Saul was actually born again. Here is where he received the Holy Spirit and was healed from his blindness, which was spiritual blindness as much as physical blindness.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Though Saul would be an ambassador to the Gentiles, he started in the synagogues in Damascus preaching that Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. The people couldn't believe it. Saul the persecutor was now preaching powerfully and "proving" Jesus was the Messiah from the scriptures. No one could deny God had completely changed his life and mission. 

But like Jesus, Saul was persecuted for preaching the truth. The same Jewish leaders went after Saul too. Though they were lying in wait to ambush him, his disciples had an escape plan. At night they took him and lowered him in a basket through a wall. 

“It was the beginning of many escapes for Paul, and sometimes he didn’t quite escape. Sometimes they caught him, imprisoned him, beat him. He did indeed have to suffer many things for Jesus’ sake.” (Boice)

The disciples in Jerusalem were also very wary of Saul having heard the reports of his activity in Damascus. But his followers shared his conversion story and what he had been doing since he was converted. Saul continued to preach about how Jesus was the Messiah but the Greek speaking Jews were violently opposed to Saul. Note the irony of the recent events in Saul's life. 

The story of Saul’s conversion begins with him leaving Jerusalem to persecute the followers of Jesus. It ends with him leaving Jerusalem as a persecuted follower of Jesus. - Guzik 

The believers sent him back to Tarsus, his home town. Though the church was being heavily persecuted it actually grew!

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Whenever God’s people are walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, you may expect that they will also see their numbers multiplied. - Guzik 

Aeneas and Dorcas

Meanwhile we turn our attention to the apostle Peter. He went to visit the believers in Lydda. 

Peter went through all parts of the country to do ministry, traveling the 35 miles (55 kilometers) from Jerusalem to Lydda. Lydda is near modern day Lod, the site of Ben Gurion Airport outside of Tel Aviv.

Peter met a man who was paralyzed since birth. He simply said, "Jesus heals you get your mat and walk." 

I love the simple healing prayer of Peter. It reminds us that we don't need long drawn out prayers, as we pray for healing for someone. We don't need to say Jesus' name multiple times. One simple prayer in Jesus' name can bring instant healing This healing was no doubt powerful for the man, but all the people who saw it came to faith as well. They all received spiritual healing. 

Peter then went on to Joppa. A woman named Tabitha got sick and died. She was beloved in her town due to her charitable deeds. Two other disciples urged Jesus to come to Joppa, as perhaps he could do something for her. Peter went to the room where she had died and he sent all the others out of the room. Then again he simply said, "Tabitha get up!". She opened her eyes and Peter helped her up. 

Then, Jesus invited all the people he had asked to leave to present the woman to them, especially the widows.  The news of this spread all around Joppa and many came to faith. 

Don't let this story escape you without realizing what just happened. Peter, a mere mortal, prayed over a dead person and they came to life. It is really too hard for us to wrap our heads around. Jesus had told the disciples they would do the things he had done and today that promise was fulfilled!

Peter seemed to clearly remember what Jesus did in Mark 5:38-43 (or Luke 8:50-56). In that healing, Jesus said, “Talitha, cumi.” Peter said here (in the original language) “Tabitha cumi.” Peter could hear Jesus’ words in his head as he ministered. Peter simply tried to do as Jesus did. Jesus was his leader. He wasn’t trying to lead Jesus anymore, as he did when he told Jesus not to go the way of the cross in Matthew 16:22. Now Peter was letting Jesus lead him.

Do you think the church is as bold as it should be to pray for people who are sick, demon possessed, or maybe even apparently dead or near death? If Jesus gave the apostles the ability to do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, why would he not give us this same power? 

The next time you pray for someone, it doesn't have to be a long prayer. You simply need to pray for healing, "in Jesus' name". Only Jesus can heal someone, we are only his vessel!