Category: Teaching

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 )

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 shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 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. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

( Acts 9:36-43 )

Peter had seen Jesus raise the dead, but he now knew with certainty that Jesus was the Lord. It would have been foolish to think that he could do what the Lord could do. However, there were human examples of raising the dead that Peter would have been familiar with.

Elijah raises the Widow’s son ( 1 Kings 17 )

Elisha raises the Shunamite’s son ( 2 Kings 4:32-37 )

Paul raises the dead ( Acts 20:7-12 )

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And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

( Acts 9:23-25 )

After the Basket

This must have been a period of three years during which Paul received his teaching from the Holy Spirit:

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

( Galatians 1:15-17 )

Jerusalem

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

( Galatians 1:18 )

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

( Acts 9:26-28 )

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

( Galatians 1:19-20 )

Syria and Cilicia

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

( Acts 9:29-30 )

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

( Galatians 1:21-22 )

Rest

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 )

Saul of Tarsus

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

( Acts 9:11 )

But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

( Acts 21:39 )

That’s where Paul was sent to get him out of the spotlight.

Go Get Paul

The disciples who fled Jerusalem spread around the region and began converting people. Barnabas was sent to Antioch when the folk in Jerusalem heard the news that gentiles were becoming believers.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

( Acts 11:25-26 )

Did Paul’s 3 years in Arabia happen in Acts 9, or in the build up to Acts 15? It must have been Acts 9 because he says that after his conversion he did not go to Jerusalem.

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

( Galatians 1:16-17 )