Lesson 3640

 (Lesson 3640)(12-22-21) Acts 9:31-43

    “ 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. 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. 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.”

    Today’s quote relates how Peter continued in the work of the Lord and how he, with the power of the Holy Ghost, worked many miracles. He, through prayer, raised a woman from the dead.

    There is another lesson that can be taken from this quote that supports what Jesus said in Matthew 6:6 wherein he instructed his followers that they should not make a public spectacles of themselves by praying in public. Rather, they were to pray without an audience. Matthew 6:6 paraphrased, ‘But you, when you pray, go into your closet, close the door and pray in secret’. How we should pray was verified in today’s quote when Peter ordered all the people out of the room before he prayed for the life of the dead woman.

    Sadly, in almost every “Christian” worship service today, someone will stand and pray aloud publically in spite of Jesus’ explicit instructions against it.~