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Acts 9Introduction:

Before the Romans had taken control of most of the known world, it was the Greeks who had ruled. The Greeks left behind great pockets of influence, even though they had been overcome by the Roman Empire. It was the Grecian culture that had the dominant characteristic throughout the known world. Politically, they were under Roman rule; yet, culturally, they were dominated by the Grecian culture.

The Grecian culture leaned more toward the arts and those type of things. In contrast, the Hebrew culture was very legalistic, and the sect of the Pharisees is a great example of representatives of this Hebrew culture—very strict, very legalistic, and the such. The Grecians, on the other hand, leaned more toward culture. They were more interested in different types of art more than anything else. So, there was a real conflict between these two cultures—the Hellenistic and the Hebrew.

During this time, Israel was a divided nation—Hellenists and Hebrews. Most Jews were Hellenists. They were very materialistic, but the Pharisees were followers of the Hebrew culture. It has always made perfect sense to me why God would pick a man such as Saul of Tarsus to go first to the Jews because in order to be effective, a man would have to have a great understanding of the Grecian culture and also a great understanding of the Hebrew culture. Thus, we are going to see God choose Saul of Tarsus as that man.

Saul was born in the city of Tarsus, which was one of the centers of the Grecian culture. Up until the age of 14, he had been brought up in the midst of this Grecian culture, even though his parents were followers of the Hebrew culture. I am sure it’s safe to say that many of his acquaintances as a young man—his friends and children with whom he had played—would have been of the Hellenistic culture, even though he and his parents were followers of the Hebrew. It was at the time of his fourteenth year that his parents would send him not to one of the universities of Asia Minor but to a Hebrew university in Jerusalem where he would, according to his own account, be educated at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers of that day and a Pharisee, himself.

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By the time Saul marries and obtains a seat on the Sanhedrin Council, he has become deeply influenced with Pharisaic culture. I am sure his early years of growing up in the Grecian culture never left him. Thus, Saul of Tarsus will become the perfect instrument in the hand of God to reach the Hellenistic culture with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 9:1-43(1) And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of

the Lord, went unto the high priest,(2) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any

of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

I. Of this way: I find this an interesting description of the early Christians. I have often wondered what criteria Saul would use for his reason to arrest someone. I think that the answer is that he simply had to look for those who had been found preaching about Jesus Christ. Thus, they were described as those “of this way.” They certainly would not have been people who were silent. At this time, there weren’t separate places of worship for Christians. Most of them were still meeting in synagogues and private homes. No, what gave them away was their preaching. They weren’t silent or secret Christians. Thus, Saul of Tarsus would have had no problem finding those “of this way.”

(3) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

(4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

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II. Why persecutest thou me? One of the things I love about Jesus Christ is that He identifies with the Church. Even from our text, we know that Saul went about persecuting individuals—men, women, children—who were “of this way.” When Jesus apprehends Saul on the road to Damascus, Jesus doesn’t say, “Why are you persecuting my church?” Jesus says, “Why are you persecuting me?” Then Saul asks Him,

(5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

III. I am Jesus: Saul asked Jesus a very simple question, “Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. . ..” I think you should take great solace in Jesus’ answer to Saul. Why? Because Jesus identified Himself with you and with me. When the enemy comes against you, it is not you that he is coming against; it is Jesus Christ, and Jesus takes it personally. I believe this is why the Lord told us, “. . . pray for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

a. Kicking against the pricks: Sometimes when we see a conversion such as Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, we tend to think that this was one point in time when God chose to deal with this particular individual. That is not true. The fact is, the Lord begins to deal with some of us at a very early age through various means.

I love the metaphor here of kicking against the pricks. Some of your Bibles might translate it “goads,” but in modern vernacular, we would use the term “cattle prod.”

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Most of the time, these prods were used on oxen, which are notoriously stubborn. Therefore, they often needed encouragement so they would keep moving in the right direction. Sometimes, when the goad or prod was being applied, the oxen would kick at the pricks of the goad. Thus it was with Saul of Tarsus. No doubt, he was so inundated with his legalistic, Pharisaical doctrine that when he heard the logical treatise of Stephen, it would have prodded him and caused him to kick against the pricks of his conscience. Thus, the Lord Himself reminds Saul of this very aspect, leading to his conversion.

(6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

IV. Instant conversion: Saul’s whole life is turned 180 degrees in a matter of a moment. So often within modern Christianity, some people tend to think that they have morphed into being a Christian. In fact, when you ask them, “How long have you been a Christian?” often their answer is, “I’ve always been a Christian. I’ve been going to church ever since I was a little child.” But as I mentioned to you last time, gang, God often starts dealing with us—drawing us to Himself—at a very early age. I think it is unbiblical to say that one can simply morph into being a Christian. Even though the Lord had been dealing with Saul, no doubt, from the time of his childhood, there still had to be that Damascus Road experience—that one moment in time when Saul said, “. . . Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Just as you had a particular moment when you were born physically, there also must be a particular time when you are born spiritually, just as Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again” (John 3:3).

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a. One step at a time: As we mentioned last time, the Lord doesn’t lay out His will for you in one single step but doles it out one step at a time. We see that here with Saul. His commandment was to “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

(7) And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

V. No contradiction: There are those who will read Acts 9:7 and compare it to Chapter 22 and come to the false conclusion that there is a blatant contradiction. In 9:7, Paul later writes that the men who journeyed with him heard a voice but saw no man. In Acts 22:9, Paul records that the men saw a light but heard not the voice. The simple explanation is that the word “voice” in the Greek is the word “phone” (pronounced fo-nay') which is where we get the word “phonetics.” All that is being said here is that the men who were with Paul heard the “phone” (that is, the voice), but they didn’t hear the articulation—they heard no words. They heard sounds, but they didn’t understand them. Therefore, there is no contradiction.

(8) And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

VI. Blinded by the light:

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a. Not the entrance he had imagined: Before his encounter with Jesus, Saul had letters from the Sanhedrin Council granting him the authority to arrest and take for imprisonment any of those he might find in Damascus who were “of that way.” Instead of entering Damascus pompously and then wreaking havoc upon the church of Jesus Christ, after his encounter, Saul finds himself coming in a much different manner—being led as a blinded man by his friends into the city.

(9) And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

VII. Three long days: After his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Saul is struck blind. He is then led into the city of Damascus where, I have no doubt, he spent three of the longest days of his life, not eating or drinking. Saul had nothing but time to think and to contemplate what had happened to him. He didn’t even have the distraction of sight in order that he might totally be concentrated on what was going on in his life and how different things were going to be from now on.

(10) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

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

(12) And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

(13) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

(14) And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

(15) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

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VIII. A chosen vessel: The Apostle Paul has always amazed me in that he was such a perfect vessel for such a perfect time, not unlike Esther who, as Mordecai reminded her, the Lord had raised up “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Saul was a perfect tool for such a time as this. He was the sort of man who could address Hebrews, he could address those who had embraced the Grecian culture, and just as Esther would, Paul, too, would stand before kings—a chosen vessel of God. Paul, himself, would later recognize that God had had His hand upon him from his mother’s womb, developing him for the work that God would ultimately have him to accomplish.

a. Connecting the dots: This is the way that God deals with every one of His servants. We can look back at our lives and see the process by which God developed us for the work that He had us to do. In fact, the Apostle Paul would remind us of this in Ephesians 2:10.

Ephesians 2:10(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

God knows exactly what He has in mind for you. He has before ordained that work or ministry that He has for you to fulfill for the Kingdom’s sake. Thus, we can look back at our lives, and we can connect the dots that show us the entire picture of all that God has done in our lives.

b. A time of preparation: It is important to know that God is working in your life and is preparing you for the work at hand. There will come a day when you will discover that all the stuff that you have in your background is really all a part of God’s plan as He was preparing you as an instrument to do His work.

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Even when we don’t realize it or are unaware of it, God was and is working in our lives preparing my life and yours for His Kingdom’s sake—a chosen vessel.

After having said all that, then the Lord says this,

(16) For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

IX. Suffer? I’m not sure what my response would have been had I been Saul. If the Lord was going to show me in advance the things that I would have to suffer, would I have continued, or would I have simply said, “Lord, you’re going to have to find someone else.” Saul seems to have settled this in his heart beforehand. He was ready when he said, “Who art thou, Lord?” (verse 5). “What wilt thou have me to do?” (verse 6). He doesn’t change from that.

I heard a very wise preacher say one time that at this moment Saul had struck a contract with the Lord—one that he wasn’t going to go back on. I just don’t agree with that. I don’t think Saul saw it that way at all. I think that when the Lord revealed himself to Saul and when Saul considered how wrong he had been, he simply wanted to show his gratitude by devoting his entire life to the cause of Christ. So, Saul made a conscious decision right then and right there to do the Will of the Lord.

(17) And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

X. Just an ordinary guy: I think that you need to make note of the fact that Ananias is not an apostle. He’s just a disciple. He was a part of the

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church there in Damascus. The fact is, we hear nothing more about him after this. Ananias was just an ordinary guy, handpicked at a particular time to do one extraordinary thing. At first, he even thought that the Lord might have been mistaken because he was fearful of Saul. So, he laid his hands upon Saul, and Saul received his sight and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

(18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

(19) And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

(20) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

XI. It all clicked: Saul had a vast understanding of scripture long before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. After his encounter on the road, after Ananias laid hands on him that he might receive his sight, and after he was filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul was then able to see clearly how the scriptures pointed to Jesus Christ, such as in Isaiah 9:6.

Isaiah 9:6(6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

As the Holy Spirit opened Saul’s understanding to the scriptures, they all began to click. He was now able to not only see that Jesus was the Son of God, but he now begins to go into the synagogues and to preach to the Jews that Jesus “. . . is the Son of God.”

(21) But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

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XII. Simply amazing: Those that heard Saul were amazed and dumbfounded, saying, “. . . Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem . . .?” His radical change was something for which they were not prepared. So it is with every person who is born again. Those who once knew you will have a hard time understanding your new-found excitement and dedication to Jesus Christ.

a. There’s a gap: In verse 21, we are told that they were amazed at Saul’s preaching, but there is actually a gap of time between verses 21 and 22 that’s not indicated by the text. According to the book of Galatians, Saul left Damascus and did not confer with flesh but went and waited upon God until he got full instructions. He was in the wilderness area of Sinai. For two to three years, he was just waiting on the Lord and was being instructed by the Lord concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:13-17(13) For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:(14) And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.(15) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,(16) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:(17) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.(18) Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

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Paul states here in Galatians that he returned to Damascus. After three years, he went to Jerusalem to see Peter. He abode with Peter for fifteen days, not to be instructed by Peter but to share the things that the Lord had shown him.

So, this three-year period that he spent in Arabia down in the Sinai are not mentioned in the book of Acts. However, Paul would later mention them in his letter to the Galatians. If you want to insert them into the timeline, you would insert them here between verses 21 and 22.

(22) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

XIII. Saul increases in strength: The three years that Saul spent in Arabia being instructed by the Lord, Himself, was a time of strengthening in his life. It was also a time of waiting. I’ve often had people come to me and tell me that they feel called to the ministry, which I think is great. What concerns me is that if you ask them how long they have been a Christian, the answer that you don’t want to hear is, “Two or three months.” So often, a novice will wind up in the position of pastor.

1 Timothy 3:1-7(1) This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.(2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;(3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;(4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;(5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)(6) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

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(7) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Although the word “novice” here does mean “new believer,” I would add to it “ill prepared.” Too often, men are simply ordained by a denomination without any prep time and without any testing time. Seminary is not prep for the pastorate. The fact is that many seminaries today (and, in fact, they have been for many years), are more detrimental to a genuine man of God rather than being places of preparation for ministry. Actually, when it comes to pastoring, apprenticeship or mentoring produces the best pastors.

(Use Greg Laurie as the example of an apprentice under Pastor Chuck.)

(Give Seth Oiler as an illustration of a novice placed in ministry by a denomination.)

God uses instruments that have been prepared, and preparation is a necessary part of any effective ministry. As I have told you before, it is a great mistake for any church to lay hands too suddenly on individuals, thrusting them into the ministry before they are ready. It is a travesty, not only to the church, but it can be tragic to a man of God, as it was to Seth. Anyone going into the ministry must have a firm foundation, and a foundation takes time to lay.

Luke also talks about the importance of a solid foundation in his Gospel.

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Luke 6:46-49(46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?(47) Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:(48) He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.(49) But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

So, take your time. Lay a strong foundation. If it is truly God that is calling you, know that God is not in a hurry. We are always the ones who are in a hurry, but God wants to prepare those instruments that He will use. When Saul was in the wilderness, he increased in strength. When he returned to Damascus after this three-year period, he was a force to be reckoned with in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

a. Proving this is the Messiah: Once again, Saul had such a vast background that was built deep upon the scriptures. He could take the Torah and use it to prove to the Jews that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah. In truth, this is not a hard task to do. Every Christian should be able to take the Old Testament and show that Jesus is the Messiah. “There are none so blind as those who will not see.” (English proverb attributed to John Heywood, a paraphrase of Jeremiah 5:21.)

(23) And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:(24) But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day

and night to kill him.(25) Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a

basket.

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XIV. Angered by the truth: As I have told you before, every time the Apostle Paul would preach, one of two things would happen: either a revolt or a revival. This time, it was a revolt. Even though he proved from the scriptures that Jesus was, indeed, the awaited Messiah, all it served to do was tick them off. So, they went about laying in wait to kill him. Paul, having become savvy to their plot, was let down by the wall in a basket by the disciples, who were trying to help him.

a. What a way to go: Saul’s departure from Damascus was not very triumphant. In fact, he ends up having to run for his life, escaping the city over the wall in a basket to get away from the Jews, who were plotting his death. But God used it, because Saul then went to Jerusalem where he first met the apostles.

(26) 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.

XV. I don’t blame them: Over the years, I have read many commentators who say how tragic it was that the disciples were not thrilled about opening the door to Saul of Tarsus when he came to Jerusalem. I have to admit, I don’t blame them. We’re not told in the narrative of our text that they were forewarned by the Holy Spirit, as it was with Ananias. It would seem quite the contrary. After Saul’s debacle in Damascus, he simply went to Jerusalem and attempted to join himself. Because of his history, he was rejected at first.

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a. You’ve got to prove yourself: I, personally, do not feel this is unreasonable. Saul of Tarsus had wreaked havoc upon the church. People had lost their lives because of this man. For all they knew, this was nothing more than a tactic so that this persecutor of the church might gain access to the gathering place of the disciples in order to have them all arrested at one time. Therefore, it was a good thing that Barnabas befriended Saul.

(27) 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.

(28) And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.(29) And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the

Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

XVI. Something about a name: Barnabas’ name means “son of consolation.” It is easy to see how he got that reputation, as he brought Saul together with the apostles and vouched for him. I thank God for Barnabases. It is my prayer that you never need one, but if you do, their help is invaluable.

XVII. Don’t get discouraged: Saul’s preaching just seemed to have a negative effect on people. Like I said, everywhere and in every way, when he preached, it either ended in riot or revival. Make no mistake, however; people were moved by his preaching—one way or the other. After having heard him, some would follow Jesus; others would go about to kill Saul.

(30) Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

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XVIII. Go home: Once the brethren found out about the plot to kill Saul in Jerusalem, they decided to help him leave town . . . quietly. What a way to start your ministry! The first two towns that you attempted to evangelize revolted against you. You basically have to sneak out of town because people are trying to kill you. That would be a hard pill to swallow!

a. Can’t win for losing: Keep this in mind: When Saul first got to Jerusalem, no one wanted anything to do with him. Why? Because they were afraid he was going to wreak havoc on the church. So, Barnabas vouched for him to the point that they accepted him. What happened? He wreaked havoc in the church by confronting the Hellenists. Saul was a zealot. He was passionate about what he preached, but the apostles basically took him aside and told him to go home.

(31) 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.

XIX. Not as bold as they had been: I know this verse sounds like a good thing that the church had rest and was edified, but I’m not sure that it was necessarily a great thing. Their witness was just not as bold as it had been when Saul was there. Even commentators have said that this particular time of peace might not necessarily be indicative of a healthy church.

a. Into obscurity: When Saul got back to Tarsus, he ended up staying there for ten years or more. We are not certain exactly how long, but most Bible teachers agree that it would have been at least ten years, if not longer. In Saul’s life, it was a time of obscurity, and they were silent years as far as his ministry is concerned.

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As we will find out, it was during these final years of preparation that God was pouring out the knowledge of His grace and goodness into Saul’s life and into his preaching. God was continuing his preparation of the Apostle Paul. It was also a time when Paul was solidifying and formulating his theology, which would eventually turn the entire world upside down. This is another reason why laying a good foundation is so important to those going into ministry because many men who have found themselves behind pulpits are not even steadfast, nor, indeed, even understand some of the basic tenets of theology.

As far as the churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, they were resting, being edified, and were walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the church was multiplying.

It is at this point that we leave Saul, and the textual record now shifts to Peter.

(32) And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

XX. Peter goes a calling: At this point, Peter had decided to go and visit the various groups of believers that had sprung up throughout Judea and those toward the coast and the area of Lydda. This is the present city of Lot, where the Ben Gurion Airport is located. This is the area where Peter visited the Christians who were living there.

(33) And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

(34) And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

(35) And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

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XXI. Word of faith: Peter spoke a word of faith to Aeneas. No doubt, there is power in the spoken word of faith, but it is equally important to find the balance. There are those in Christendom today who take this teaching far beyond anything that the scriptures teach. By so doing, they inevitably wind up elevating man to the position of sovereignty, for many of them believe and teach, “You can have anything you want. All you have to do is speak it.” Thus, you will hear them speak of the “rhema word,” which refers to the creative power of the spoken word. They teach and believe that you must speak, by faith, whatever you want, whether you want to be a millionaire, or have a car, or a house, or health.

They then begin to teach you to visualize what you desire, not only to speak the words of faith (the rhema word), but to visualize what you want to receive. Whether it’s a car, money, or health, they teach that you have to visualize yourself in that situation.

Metaphysics: This is nothing more than metaphysics, my friends. This is the same thing that Napoleon Hill taught in his book, Think and Grow Rich. It’s nothing more than a part of metaphysics, and those who practice such things believe that there is creative power in the subconscious. By visualizing and declaring your goals over and over, they believe you are bringing these things from the subconscious to the conscious, and, somehow, you are manipulating the universe to do your will. This was the same garbage that was being postulated in the documentary, “The Secret,” where if you speak it and believe it enough, it will manifest itself. Some of these proponents even speak spiritually, and they speak of the power of the fourth dimension

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and of the universe and how you can put these forces to work for your betterment. They teach that it actually works for anyone—be they spiritual or not. Even in the documentary, every person who was in it gave their testimony to the power of this teaching.

However, James Arthur Ray, one of the teachers in the documentary, had his life totally turned upside down when he wound up in prison on three counts of manslaughter. In teaching his followers his form of metaphysics, three of them went to their deaths in a sweat lodge in Arizona. Truly sad. This is strange because his metaphysical belief couldn’t save him from that.

Strike the balance: Having said that, I don’t want you to have a knee-jerk reaction. While this doctrine in and outside the church is definitely heresy and very dangerous, excesses such as these should not stop those of us who walk in the Spirit from speaking words of faith when God is directing us to do so. This is what I meant by “striking the balance.” While we should reject the nonsense of Napoleon Hill and so many others who lean upon his teaching, it is important that we don’t give way to rejecting what God would have us to do in the Spirit. I have no doubt that before Peter spoke to Aeneas, the Lord had laid it upon Peter’s heart to speak to him. So, it was the Lord Jesus who gave Peter the word of faith. A good illustration of this is a little further ahead in Acts when Paul is in Lystra.

Acts 14:8-10(8) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:(9) The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

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(10) Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

You see, it was the Holy Spirit who revealed to Paul God’s intention to heal this man. Before Paul ever spoke a word of faith, God revealed what He wanted to do. Thus, Paul perceived that the man “. . . had the faith to be healed.”

It is important to realize that we do not direct the works of God, nor should we ever seek to be in a position to direct the works of God. God is the One who does the works. He is the initiator; we are merely the recipients, or in this case, the instruments by which He does His will. This is the real balance. This should keep us from stepping into heresy.

Conclusion on this whole matter: Peter did speak a word of faith, and you and I can also speak a word of faith and see the power of God at work in speaking that word of faith. There is a legitimate manifestation of the Spirit that we, as believers, can use. We just need to keep it in balance. When we operate legitimately within the Spirit, we will witness the same results as Peter. What were the results? Aeneas was healed, and all the people round about, seeing this man who had been infirmed for eight years healed, believed and turned to the Lord.

(36) 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.

(37) 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.

(38) 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.

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(39) 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.

(40) 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.

(41) And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

XXII. WWJD: This story has always gotten me because on the surface, it seems like Peter is thinking, “What would Jesus do?” because that is exactly what he does here. If you remember back in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke when Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue, came to Jesus concerning his daughter. As Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house, the servants met them in the way and said, “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.” But Jesus told him, “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” When they came into the house, the mourners were already there, wailing and mourning the death of his little girl. Jesus said unto them, “Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” They laughed him to scorn and mocked Him. Jesus put them forth out of the room, and He brought in Peter, James, and John. He then said to the girl’s body, “Talitha, little girl, arise.” Immediately, she sat up and looked around. Then, Jesus took her by the hand and led her to her parents and told them to get her something to eat.

I think Peter remembered the Lord putting away those of unbelief during that episode. Even though these people who were mourning Tabitha were believers, they were so consumed with mourning her death and showing the things that she had made, they just weren’t focused on the greater

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things of God at that moment. So, Peter just puts them forth out of the room.

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a. Talking to the dead: First, I think it is interesting that what Peter says is so close to what Jesus said. Jesus said, “Talitha.” Peter said, “Tabitha, arise.” Make note: He’s talking to a dead person—a corpse—and on the surface, that would seem a little bizarre. First, he knelt down and prayed, and then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, arise.”

(40) 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.

(41) And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

(42) And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.(43) And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a

tanner.

XXIII. Jesus’ promise fulfilled: As we read this amazing story of Peter and Tabitha, I am reminded of the words of Jesus in John 14:12-14.

John 14:12-14(12) Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.(13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.(14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Here, we see Peter doing the exact works that Jesus did, and raising a person from the dead is an amazing miracle. To see this blessed woman, who had died there in the church at Joppa, and then to have God use one of His saints to bring her back is a very powerful thing. It does jump out at you, and we have to acknowledge the power that existed in the early church. The earmark, if you will, of the early church was the dynamic power of

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the Holy Spirit, working both in and through the church.

Many assume today that God is no longer working in dynamic ways in the present church. I think they are wrong, but I also understand how they come to this assumption. If Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then the dynamic power of God is still available. If there is a fault to be had as to why we don’t see this type of dynamic power in the church today, then the fault is ours. It certainly isn’t with God because He hasn’t changed. The power of God is still available today, and it is able to change lives, and to transform people, and to deliver them from bondage—no matter what that bondage is. I believe that God has the power to raise people, not only from a bed of infirmity, but to raise them from the dead. I believe this because there is no lack with God, or with His ability, or with His desire to manifest Himself.

I do feel the lack on our side. What stops us from seeing this kind of dynamic power? I heard a great, old preacher say one time that he believed the lack was due to the fact of the Lord not being able to find any man who could truly handle the notoriety and attention that would be drawn to a person to whom the Lord used to manifest that kind of power. Speaking for myself, I’m not sure that I could handle it. I put no trust in this flesh. It would be hard for one’s pride not to be elevated. It would be hard for one not to start advertising the “Miracle Campaign” that would surely come about as a result of having that kind of ministry.

Be sure of this: God’s hand is not short. So much of what is put across as miracles today in so many services is more hoax than Holy Ghost. Many of those who claim to have this power most of the

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time cannot be trusted. I am not suggesting that we shouldn’t seek that God would manifest this kind of power through us. I personally, have had the Lord use me at any given time through the years of my ministry as an instrument of healing in many people’s lives. I have to admit, however, that I’ve never raised anyone from the dead. Then again, I’ve never asked the Lord to do something like that through me. I have been content with preaching the Gospel and seeing people raised from the dead of this life—a life of sin—to a new life in Christ. That’s good enough for me.

God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. So, my admonition to you is to seek the Lord and seek to be a vessel of the Lord through which He would manifest His power, not only leading people to Christ, but leading people from infirmity to health and even death to life. I would first encourage you: “Humble thyself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due season” (I Peter 5:6).