Strengthening The Churches

Acts 9:31-43

People tend to get distracted become less concerned about things when they are not forced on them everyday. Politicians count on this to let them get by with really unpopular decisions. With no one to focus on the persecution of Christians slackened, giving the churches a chance to regroup and rebuild. Having just been through the trials, they were aware of Satanic power and desirous to see it defeated, which gave a special impetus.

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)

The focus was still on edifying or building up the believers in the Lord, teaching them to walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the churches grew dramatically. Many churches today do not grow properly because we have so often focused on growth rather than on building up the believers.

If a shepherd will take the trouble to see that his older sheep are healthy and well fed, they will naturally produce lambs. If he also cares for the lambs and helps them to grow, one day they will produce more lambs and the herd will grow. If the older ones are not healthy enough to reproduce, or the younger ones don’t survive, the herd will shrink, no matter how many are born. The same is true of the church.

As the number of churches grew, the demands on the apostles grew as well. As much of the New Testament had not yet been written, new pastors and churches would need guidance from the apostles. In addition, men like Diotrophes would try to take over and manipulate the church for their own purposes, as III John describes. By visiting the churches, the apostles could could provide insights, deal with problems, and encourage those who were doing well. The signs of the apostles would also establish that the church was spiritually equal with any other church according to I1 Corinthians 13:12-13. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.” It is in this capacity that Peter is visiting the churches.

“And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 9:32-35)

The gifts of the Spirit are given to benefit each member of the entire church according to I Corinthians 12:7. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” That the people in Lydda benefited from the healing of Aeneas is clear because so many turned to Christ. The gifts of the Spirit are not to be used for the recipient’s benefit, but for the entire church. When empowered by the Holy Spirit, they will impact others who see or hear about them. This is demonstrated again in Joppa.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” (Acts 9:36-39)

In our day, a great deal is made of the ritual of healing, anointing with oil and so forth. As I read through the scripture, I notice that there is no consistency of ritual. Peter simply knelt in prayer, then took her by the hand and told her to get up. It is not he ritual that heals, but the power of God. Even in James 5:14-15, the focus is not on the anointing with oil, but on the prayer of faith. “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” The anointing actually appears to be applying medication, similar to what the Good Samaritan did in Luke 10:33-34. The healing is still the result of God’s action.

“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. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” (Acts 9:40-42)

Again, the Holy Spirit’s action impacted many other people.

“And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.” (Acts 9:43)