Acts - Week 32

Week 32 Acts 9, 10 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 9:39 

39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 

Peter comes to the home, is immediately taken upstairs where the body of Dorcas is placed, and is surrounded by mourners. These were the poor who had received gifts from Dorcas. She was a seamstress and had made clothes for the poor. Dorcas was a believer. No special gift is mentioned in connection with her. She was encouraging and blessing others by sewing and making clothes they needed. The poor were mourning because the source who loved and cared for them was now gone.  

REFLECT 

Think of those who have done things for you—not just in the spiritual realm but in the physical. Those kind deeds became precious to you, did they not? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about physical things you might do to help others. This can also be used to open up opportunities to share the gospel with them. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 9:40-41 

40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. 

Here Peter is seen in action. He asked the mourners to leave the room. Then he knelt and prayed. Then he addressed Dorcas by her Aramaic name, “Get up, Tabitha.” Then she came to life! Then he called the mourners back in and presented Dorcas to them. Think of the rejoicing that took place then! This person who was so appreciated is now back with them.  

REFLECT 

Even though your loved ones are not brought back to life, they can live in your memories for the blessing their lives were to you. 

RESPOND 

As in the case when Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, nothing is said about what later happened to Dorcas or Lazarus. Remind believers, however, of what Jesus said at the time of the passing of Lazarus in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 9:42-43 

42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides. 

The news of the miracle of Dorcas being brought back to life became known in the entire town. As a result, many believed in the Lord. This begins another transition in the book of Acts as it tells of Peter staying in Joppa a long time and living with Simon, a tanner. The mention of Simon being a tanner is significant because he was handling dead animals, which the Jews considered made one unclean. The fact that Peter is living with him reveals Peter is already leaving some of the Jewish customs. This also provides background for what happens next in chapter 10. 

REFLECT 

Think of how God has used some of your experiences in the past to aid you in more effectively serving Him now.  

RESPOND 

Today some might wish a believer who is deceased could rise from the dead so others would turn to the Lord. Remember, however, what was said to the rich man in hades when he wanted someone to go back from the dead to witness to his family. For the answer read Luke 16:31. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 10:1-2 

1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 

Notice what is said about this Roman army officer: he was devout; God-fearing, gave to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Does this mean he was a born-again Christ-follower? The later passage will reveal the answer. Cornelius was a Gentile and Peter was a Jew. How will this story turn out? The Bible records history as it happened and Luke is recording these events in the book of Acts. 

REFLECT 

In your Bible reading, when you have a question about a passage have you found that your question is answered as you keep reading?  

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about the need to study the surrounding material to any passage so it is better understood. This means one should not take one verse and make it significant unless the context does.  

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 10:3-4 

3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. 4 Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! 

Cornelius had a vision and sees an angel. Gentiles were not acquainted with angels as were the Jews.  The angel even knew his name and called out to him. Cornelius asked “What is it, sir?” Some translations render “sir” as “lord.” The underlying Greek word was used as a title of respect for others as well as specifically referring to Jesus as God. Only the context reveals which. Here it does not refer to Jesus. The angel assured him that his prayers and gifts to the poor were accepted by God as an offering. Again the question could be asked, “Does this mean Cornelius is a born-again Christ-follower?” 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord that you don’t need an angel to speak to you because you have the entire Bible. Cornelius—and even Peter—did not have that at the time. 

RESPOND 

Thinking of the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, read 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 and Hebrews 4:12-13.