October 16 Daily Devotional

Acts 9

The word of God increased greatly. Not only at Jerusalem, but also in many other cities people accepted the message of salvation preached by the apostles. “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea 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.” Peter was very active at that time in the western part of the country. He came to Lydda, located on the edge of the plain of Sharon, not far from the shore of the Great Sea. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been ill with the palsy for eight years and had been confined to his bed all that time, for he could not walk. When Peter looked at the suffering man, his heart was filled with sympathy, and he said unto him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole. Arise! and make thy bed.” His word was not in vain, for he arose immediately and took up his bed and laid it away. All the people in the surrounding territory heard about this great miracle performed by the apostle. Many men and women that dwelt at Lydda and at Sharon came to see Aeneas and turned to the Lord.

“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 had made, while she was with them. Then 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.”

And it came to pass, that Peter tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.