#1569 Acts 10 Part 1 A Warrior's Soldier 100%

 

Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come in and said to him, “Cornelius!” 4 And looking intently on him and becoming afraid, he said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now send some men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is lodging with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the sea.” 7 And when the angel who was speaking to him had left, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

9 And on the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat. And while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance 11 and *saw heaven opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the sky. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise up, Peter, slaughter and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything defiled and unclean.” 15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider defiled.” 16 And this happened three times and immediately the object was taken up into heaven.

17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But rise up, go down and accompany them without taking issue at all, for I have sent them Myself.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and hear a message from you.” 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging. Acts 10: 1-23 LSB

Acts 10: 1-23

5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” 7 And Jesus *said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not good enough for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this man, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment. Matthew 8: 5-13

V. 1 A centurion - War is the sad reality of a fallen world, and this requires a class of men called warriors. A centurion is a man of war, a man who also keeps the peace in the interim, who trains at engaging other men, and is over 100 other warriors as the name implies. Jesus talks to a centurion in the gospel of Matthew, and He doesn't tell him, "go and be a soldier no more", no, He marvels at the man's faith. In order to have a country you have to have borders, in order to have borders you have to have men who will defend those. Might does not make right though, so you may find yourself, as a Christian member of the military, having to refuse an order, or having to stop some of your fellow soldiers from raping and pillaging. From war comes the martial arts, which also become competition and sport, whether people using force to get a ball from one end of a field to another, making plays as a team, a unit, trying to impose their will by a shared discipline of hits, uniformity and putting into reality what they drilled for weeks in practice, or man to man in a ring. I have a mixed opinion on combat sports, and many differ with me, but where I would find the arenas of the Roman gladiators wrong, where men have to kill other men in order for there to be a winner, I find a certain beauty in the disciplines of boxing, MMA and the grappling sports. As long as there is war there will be competitions among those in the military and even outside, to see whose style is the best and or who is the best within each style. I think we need more real soldiers today, not just men who sign up fro free college, not men who don't go all the way to retirement yet find a loop hole to get military disability because they want extra money. I have met many of those unfortunately, who claim PTSD though they didn't see combat, who got a stomach ache because of military food, yet are still taking a monthly check even though they haven't eaten military food for years. I once met a woman who was drawing one of these checks because her feet hurt, and she blamed it on having to stand behind a counter in the military, even though her hobby was running. We need people who are devoted to patriotism and integrity, men who refuse to watch the suffering of women and children, and who will get between them and danger. I believe that when the Bible talks of David being a man of bloodshed, the negative comes not from legitimate wars, from self defense or defense of his people, but from his raids and the murder of Uriah. 

…53After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. 54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.” 55And many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him.… Matthew 27: 53-55

1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well. 3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.…

…4A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. 5Likewise, a competitor does not receive the crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.… 2 Timothy 2: 1-6

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27

James Montgomery Boice rightly states that "The tenth chapter of Acts is one of the most important chapters in Acts, perhaps also one of the most important chapters in the Bible. It is so important because it tells how a gospel that was originally thought of in exclusively Jewish terms came by the intervention and revelation of God to be practically as well as theoretically a gospel for the whole world. Gentiles should be especially thankful for this chapter, since it is because of this revelation that they are able to come to God as Gentiles. (Acts: An Expositional Commentary)

This chapter describes God's flinging open the door of His Church to Gentile believers and thus marking a key transition point in the spread of the Gospel in the Book of Acts. As noted in Acts 9, it is clear that God's Spirit was moving Peter step by step (from Lydda to Joppa to Caesarea) toward fulfillment of Acts 1:8 and the taking of the Gospel to the Gentiles. So in Acts 8 we see the conversion an Ethiopian eunuch, a son of Ham, in Acts 9, the conversion of Saul, a son of Shem, and, in Acts 10, Cornelius, a son of Japheth. These represent the three divisions of humanity after the flood (cf Genesis 6:10). - PA

V. 2 A devout man - We left off prior to this with Peter staying with a tanner, an unusual house for a Jew to receive hospitality. Now we come to a gentile centurion, and centurions were to be picked solely on the basis of merit, so he was a man well respected in his circles, able to take and give instructions, a trusted individual. He is also a believer, praying to the God of the Hebrews, a proselyte so to speak. The signs of his devoutness are that 1 he fears God with all his household, 2 gives alms to the people, and prays continually. He is a gentile who is more of a Jew than many who think they are due to their birth lineage. He is a man of means who sees it as an opportunity to care for the poor. Some will point out the poor, but have no intent of lifting a finger. This is a man of integrity. 

Cornelius reminds us of the Ethiopian eunuch regarding whom John MacArthur wrote "The eunuch is a classic example of one who lived up to the light he had. God then gave him the full revelation of Jesus Christ through Philip’s ministry." (Acts Commentary) In Acts 10 God gives visions to a saved Jew and an unsaved Gentile in order to reach the Gentile man through the Jewish man! - PA

…6Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? 7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.… Isaiah 58: 6-8

…9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.…

12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences. Proverbs 9: 9-12

…5“Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it. 7“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “She has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial.… John 12: 5-7

Vs. 4-6 Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God - Ah, a sweet smelling savor. We wonder why we don't get very far with God in our Christian walk, yet we pray so little, or our prayers are so petty and uninformed by Scripture. The angel has him send men to Joppa to get Peter, whose heart the Lord is also preparing. 

16At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. 17“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.… Malachi 3: 16-17

…2You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. 4You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.… James 4: 2-4

Vs. 7-8 And a devout soldier - This is interesting, they have some spiritual community here as well. It reminds us of the tax collectors and soldiers and who came to see John the Baptist. They ask him what they should do, and he tells them how to be good soldiers, God fearing men. 

…12Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered. 14Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”… Luke 3: 12-14

Vs. 9-10 About the sixth hour to pray - It is in seeking God where we tend to meet Him; prayer is a big part of both of these men's lives, and it should be for the Christian. Prayer is not where I impose my will upon God, but where I come seeking His will in the situations I bring before Him. It is where that faith that comes from hearing His word grows, the acknowledgement that I need something outside of me, that problems are too big for me, but nothing is too great for the Almighty. 

1In the sixth year, on the fifth day of the sixth month, I was sitting in my house, and the elders of Judah were sitting before me; and there the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me. 2Then I looked and saw a figure like that of a man. From His waist down His appearance was like fire, and from His waist up He was as bright as the gleam of amber. 3He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated.… Ezekiel 8: 1-3

Trance is an abnormal state of wakefulness in which a person is not self-aware and is either altogether unresponsive to external stimuli but is nevertheless capable of pursuing and realizing an aim, or is selectively responsive in following the directions of the person who has induced the trance. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with hypnosis, meditation, magic, flow, and prayer. It may also be related to the earlier generic term, altered states of consciousness.

Holman Bible Dictionary - Trance is descriptive of an experience in which a person received a revelation by supernatural means ( Acts 10:10 ; Acts 11:5 ; Acts 22:17 ). In these instances, the author of Acts, in reference to the experiences of Peter and Paul, seemed to be interested in showing that the trance was only a vehicle for a revelation from God. Luke illustrated that the trances that Peter and Paul experienced “happened” to them and were not self induced. The distinctions between “trance,” “dream” and “vision” are not always clear. - PA

V. 11 And saw heaven opened up - Others have received similar visions or experiences in the Bible, but it is always beyond a normal dream, and it has much affect upon the course of their life after. 

…2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3And I know that this man— whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.… 2 Corinthians 12: 2-4

Some like Kent Hughes have suggested that "The four corners of the sheet in the vision correspond to the four points of the compass—north, south, east, and west." While we cannot be dogmatic that is a possibility as the Gospel would eventually go to Gentiles (and Jews) in the four "corners" of the world. - PA

Vs. 12-16 What God has cleansed no longer consider defiled - So obviously the animals being let down in the sheet are those that a Jew would know to be unclean. They would be fit for neither consumption nor sacrifice. So you may be wondering, "why were they unclean to begin with"? Well, God chose a people and set them apart to Himself, and a great example of this was when the Israelites came up from Egypt to enter the promised land. The people living in the land (Canaanites) there made images of animals, ate more of a variety of animals, and Israel was instructed not to commit the sins of the people there, especially their idolatry. So this special diet given to Israel set them apart, a physical picture of being holy unto the Lord. It also made it easier for them to keep from becoming stained by the world around them. They could not partake in the feasts of their surrounding pagan neighbors, and this made them a peculiar sort of people as well, a people who were meant to be a light, a people who could be asked, "why do you do this, why do you only believe in one God?" We teach our children today about being equally yoked. It is not a matter of ethnicity. I don't care how much melanin the man my daughter wants to marry has or does not have, but I do care about whether he has been made clean, that he is a godly man, and that this is evidenced by the fruit of the Holy Spirit in his life. Now Peter is pretty hard core about this so like always it has to be 3 times, like before the cock crowed and how many times Jesus asked him, "Simon Peter, do you love Me". 

Crawling creatures - Peter would have been mindful of the words of Moses...

Whatever crawls on its belly, and whatever walks on all fours, whatever has many feet, in respect to every swarming thing that swarms on the earth, you shall not eat them, for they are detestable. 43 ‘Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm; and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean. 44 ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 45 ‘For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (Lev 11:42-45+)

…9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.… 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11

Vs. 17-20 For I have sent them Myself - God had sent these men, and Peter is already staying with a tanner, so it seems as though the Lord has been gently guiding him this way all along. There was also his time with the Samaritans, who Jews considered to be half-breeds, prior to this. Like J Mac says, Peter is a bigot who God is slowly working this out of. I know people who call themselves Christians today who say they don't eat pork, or are vegetarians, and that's fine if they want to eat that way, but there are no spiritual implications, and it is gross if you direct other to as if there is. 

…3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.… 1 Timothy 4: 3-5

Vs. 21-23 Was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house - He is kind of at the halfway house to this, ah, a Jew in a Gentile home, who would of thunk?

To come to his house and hear a message from you - In Acts 10:20 Peter had been commanded by the Spirit to accompany them and now he sees that the "them" is Gentiles and the destination is a Gentile house. The purpose is that Cornelius might hear a message from Peter. While neither the three envoys (cf Acts 10:4-6, 7-8) nor Peter knew exactly what his message was to be, clearly Peter is progressively gaining more insight into his vision of clean and unclean, albeit not yet completely grasping the full significance. Step by step the divine drama is unfolding.

Matthew Henry on hear a message from you - they know not what words, but they are such as he may hear from thee, and not from any one else so well.'' Faith comes by hearing (Ro 10:17). When Peter repeats this, he tells us more fully, they are words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved, Acts 11:14.

Larkin comments that "Obedience to the Spirit will lead to understanding. Understanding demands further obedience. God by his word was breaking down prejudicial barriers as his witnesses obeyed. What breakthroughs does God want to bring about through us as we obey?" (The Mission Is Inaugurated Through Peter Acts 9:32-11:18)

…27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.… Galatians 3: 27-29

#1568 Acts 9 Part 4 As Graceful As A Gazelle

 

32 Now it happened that as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 And there he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Rise up and make your bed.” Immediately he rose up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Peter Raises Tabitha to Life

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called Dorcas). This woman was full of good works and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. 38 Now since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, pleading with him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, crying and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. And calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. Acts 9: 32-43 LSB

Acts 9: 32-42 Saints and Their Ministries

…2I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.” 3As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides. 4Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.… Psalm 16: 2-4

V. 32 To the saints who lived at Lydda - Who are the saints? What is that? It means those set apart, Holy unto God. This would be the believers, those born again, adopted into God's family through Christ. Lydda is a town NW of Jerusalem, and in the area where the Ben Gurion airport is today. 

Saints (Acts 9:13, 41)(40)(hagios) is literally a holy one and properly means set apart, separated, distinct, holy. In the Bible hagios describes a man or woman who (when by grace through faith they believe in Jesus) is apart by God and for God. Their eternal position in God's eyes is that they are holy because they are in an unbreakable blood covenant with Christ and are one with Him and identified with Him. the supreme Holy One. The saint's positional holiness is imputed to their "spiritual account" from Christ. As holy ones they are brought near and into God's holy presence as Paul describes in Romans 5:2+ (cf Eph 2:6+). Those who are holy in their position, need to daily seek to be holy in their practice (1 Pe 1:15+). Stated another way, one is proven to be "holy" to an unholy world by his or her holy lifestyle, such a lifestyle ONLY being possible by daily reliance on the supernatural enabling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (cf Gal 3:3+, Eph 5:18+, Gal 5:16+). In summary, if you are a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, you are a genuine saint. No church announcement or pronouncement is necessary to make you a saint. St Paul is no more of a saint than you are. We are all on equal footing at the foot of Christ's Cross. So next time you meet with a believer, you might want to surprise them by saying something like "Good morning, saint ____ (their first name)!" Try it! - PA

…6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world.… Romans 1: 6-8

Vs. 33-35 Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you - Peter gives credit to Jesus; he knows this power isn't of himself, and he doesn't try to palm it off as such. 

Steven Cole points out that " Whether God uses us to perform a miracle or to bring a soul to salvation, we cannot rely on our own ability or take any credit for ourselves. We can only say, with Paul, that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves." (Faith in the God of All Power Acts 9:32-43)

V. 36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha - Both Tabitha and Dorcas translate "gazelle". 

Now in Joppa (See map) - Joppa is infamous in the OT for it was here that the Prophet Jonah came to and boarded a ship heading to Tarshish to run away from the will of the Lord. Joppa is known today as Jaffa (see Wikipedia article). Most writers agree that the church plant in Joppa was the fruit of Phillip's ministry as he returned to Caesarea by the Sea after ministering to the Ethiopian eunuch. Luke records "Philip found himself at Azotus; and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities (see map showing Lydda and Joppa which would surely be among all the cities), until he came to Caesarea." (Lk 8:38+) - PA

V. 36b - 38 This woman was full of good works and charity which she continually did - Women have had amazing ministries throughout the life of the church. People tend to focus attention on certain positions in the church, especially that of elders and pastors, which is a position forbidden to women by design, but not unaffected by them. Pastors are often married, and every man that is married is one with his wife, the two become one flesh. Every pastor is born of a woman, and women are the greatest influence upon society. This is why the putting down of motherhood in our age has caused nothing but heart ache and feral children. Older women were to teach the younger women, to work alongside deacons in ministering to other widows, and teach children. The affect of not doing these things, of stepping outside of God's design for what we think is "more important", has put many men and women in direct defiance of God. Men refuse to lead, and I am guilty of this, super lazy, I always hoped that my wife would take the kids to church and have them read the Bible while I just went fishing. This woman, Tabitha, has had an obviously great influence upon the saints and people at Joppa through her ministry. They apparently haven't buried her in hopes that Peter can do something about it when he arrives. I hope my life starts to have that kind of meaning, where however small or great the circle I work in is, those that know of me will see my passing as a loss, because I reflected Christ to them while I was alive.  

This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did - Continually did is in the imperfect tense which pictures Dorcas as doing these things over and over, again and again. John G. Butler said, “Oh, that we had more of the faithfulness of Dorcas in our church members. It is so hard to get church members to do anything for an extended period of time, to be faithful day in and day out at their task. They will serve for a short period of time; they will serve in spurts; but seldom will they serve faithfully. That is why so little gets done in the church when much needs to be done.”

Dorcas speaks of the social side of the Church of Jesus Christ. Some evangelicals downplay the social aspect which is a mistake as Dorcas' ministry clearly demonstrates. On the other hand if the Church engages in social activities without in some form offering the Gospel, this is misguided and even disobedient to Jesus' Great Commission. A balanced Christian ministry is always the best Christian ministry! - PA

…29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.… Proverbs 31: 29-31

…3Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. 4In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.… Titus 2: 3-5

…33For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.… 1 Corinthians 14: 33-35

…11A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, and then Eve.…

…14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression. 15 Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. 1 Timothy 2: 11-15

…2I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have labored with me for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!… Philippians 4: 2-4

V. 39 Showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make - Like the woman in Proverbs 31, who got up early, made clothes, sold them in the market, and made warm coats for her family, so this Tabitha has done to clothe her extended family, her eternal family. She took Christ's words seriously.

…35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?…

…38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ 40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’… Matthew 25: 35-40

…26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 26-27

V. 40 Tabitha Arise - And she got up. These are very much like Jesus' miracles, and so the testimony of the Lord continues. Funny that she is in Joppa.

38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.… Matthew 12: 38-40

Vs. 41-43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon - Well, the Scriptures point out that he was a tanner, so what is a tanner? Someone who deals with animal skins, makes leather. 

With a tanner named Simon - "The use of para is usual for staying with one (by his side)." (Robertson) This is the amazing statement. According to the laws of that time, a tanner had to live at least 75 feet (25 meters) outside a village because of his constant ritual uncleanness. For a Jewish man to accept the hospitality of a tanner is unthinkable, for fear of being made "unclean." The fact that Peter was willing to stay with Simon and not just overnight but for many days suggests that the Spirit was beginning to work on his heart about the significance of clean and unclean to his Christian walk. Peter was about to have a supernatural show on what God considered clean and unclean!

Ellicott - The Rabbis held that if a tanner about to marry concealed his occupation from his intended wife, the concealment was of the nature of a fraud that invalidated the contract (Schöttgen, Hor. Heb., in loc.). In taking up his abode with one of this calling, Peter must accordingly have been taking one step in advance towards greater freedom. He had learnt, partially at least, the lesson which his Master had taught as to that which alone can bring with it real defilement (Mark 7:17-23), and was thus being trained for a fuller illumination. We have no data for determining the length of time implied in the “many days.” In Acts 9:23, as we have seen, the words covered a period of nearly three years.

A T Robertson on tanner - “The more scrupulous Jews regarded such an occupation as unclean, and avoided those who pursued it. The conduct of Peter here shows that he did not carry his prejudices to that extent” (Hackett). One of the rabbis said: “It is impossible for the world to do without tanners; but woe to him who is a tanner.” A Jewess could sue for divorce if she discovered that her husband was a tanner. And yet Peter will have scruples on the housetop in the tanner’s house about eating food considered unclean. “The lodging with the tanner was a step on the road to eating with a Gentile” (Furneaux). (Acts 9 Commentary)

17 And when He had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples were asking Him about the parable. 18 And He *said to them, “Are you lacking understanding in this way as well? Do you not perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and goes to the sewer?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 20 And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” Mark 7: 17-23

#1567 Acts 9 Part 3 A Basket Case

 

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all those hearing him continued to be astounded, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem destroyed those that called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this One is the Christ.

23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to put him to death, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 And when he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and recounted to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 But when the brothers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, being built up. And going on in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to multiply. Acts 9: 20-31 LSB

Acts 9: 20-31

V. 20 And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues - God took all that zeal, that head knowledge, regenerated that man by the power of the Holy Spirit, opening his spiritual eyes, and then channeled him to do His work. God took an enemy of the church and weaponized him against error. Now the same dragon that was spewing fire at believers was one of them, and with all his learning God is adding to it, truth, the right understanding of the things he had studied from his youth. That book you are reading in Synagogue, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah, the righteous Branch spoken of by Jeremiah, the Son of David, that is this Christ Whom we killed but God raised from the dead. Jesus is the Messiah. Saul has met Jesus and the result is that he can't shut up about it. 

…22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.… Galatians 1: 22-24

…19For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.… Galatians 2: 19-21

V. 21 Is this not the one - He looks just like the guy who was sent to arrest these pesky Christians, but now he sounds like a Christian apologist, doesn't that somehow violate his contract? This is a clearer testimony, people can see it, his actions are in total opposition to what they were prior. His speech has changed, his direction, everything. Saul is in the most awkward place because of his previous life. He was highly regarded by the Pharisees, even the Sadducees of the Sanhedrin wanted this powerhouse on their side, for this cause, to snuff out Christianity. The Christians are still scared of him though, and the Jews, who previously thought him a hero, are not going to be thrilled about his new message. How suddenly alone he has become. Everyone is puzzled about this. What happened to this man? 

…54Coming to His hometown, He taught the people in their synagogue, and they were astonished. “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked. 55“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then did this man get all these things?”… Matthew 13: 54-56

…7Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing. 8At this, his neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging began to ask, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some claimed that he was, but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” But the man kept saying, “I am the one.”… John 9: 7-9

V. 22 Proving that this Jesus is the Christ - Saul is probably the most trained scholar of the Apostles, but he would have struggled against someone like Stephen, for the simple matter that Stephen had the advantage of the light of truth. I am certain that it enraged Saul at the time, but now he sees what Stephen saw, and equipped with this same light, all of the Torah opens to him in a way that he had previously not known. You can have every verse of the Bible memorized, but if you do not recognize the Author when He comes, if you do not know Him, then your understanding is fruitless. 

44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,… Luke 24: 44-46

More on Jesus from the OT

Saul kept increasing in strength - This is not a reference to physical strength (as shown by the context) but a reference to spiritual strength. During this time Saul did not get more of the Spirit, but in a manner of speaking the Spirit was getting more of him. Later Paul would write "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Php 4:13+) The "through Him" is through Christ and specifically through the Spirit of Christ Who indwelt him. In his last letter Paul commanded Timothy (and all believers) to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Ti 2:1+), where be strong is present imperative, signifying His supernatural strength is our great need all the time - DAILY, MOMENT BY MOMENT! Be strong is also in the passive voice, which in context would be a divine passive, and indicates that we need to make the choice (after confessing any known sin) to surrender or yield daily to the Spirit of Christ, so that we might be "receptacles" (so to speak) of His enabling supernatural power! How are you doing? As you read these notes today, who is your source of strength, yourself or Jesus? Those are the only two options for believers (for unbelievers the only option is "self"!).

As Saul was increasing in supernatural strength, so was the natural opposition from the Jews. As Robertson puts it "Christ, the dynamo of spiritual energy, was now pouring power (Acts 1:8+) into Paul who is already filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17)." (Acts 9 Commentary)

Yes Saul was increasing but he was still a new believer in Jesus and Kent Hughes puts this in perspective writing that "Every Christian goes through three stages: “This is easy!”—“This is difficult!”—“This is impossible!” (ED: SEE SWINDOLL'S SCHEMATIC BELOW) Saul was in the first stage. If we had been there in Damascus, we would probably have told him, “Saul, you are the hottest thing to hit Damascus since Alexander the Great. So get going! We will be praying for you.” But Saul was not yet ready for front-line ministry. In fact, the Lord had a long program of preparation in store for him— longer than he or we would have ever imagined. Saul’s impressive abilities and background, even combined with a dramatic conversion experience, did not qualify him for ministry. God still had some work to do to get him ready for what lay ahead." (Preaching the Word - Acts) - Precept Austin

Vs. 23-25 That they might put him to death - Well, we can't really be mad about this when we were once of the same mind. It is not his time to die though so he will escape with the aid of his new disciples. 

V. 26 But they were all afraid of him - It's not an easy go, not a grand entry, no one is hoisting him on their shoulders and taking him about the city. The thief on the cross had it much easier; it was only a short time after he believed that he found himself in the Paradise of Christ. I have seen men become wealthy and then all the sudden have more friends then they ever knew people before that. Saul has received above and beyond this world's riches, yet those friends and colleagues, who once esteemed him, are now trying to kill him. His new brothers and sisters are still measuring him, because in time and space, they only knew of him as another sort of tree, and so they are skeptical and uneasy. 

Phillips comments that Saul's "new sympathy for the saints was extremely suspect. One and all the believers shunned him, naturally thinking he had come to spy on them. What happened to Peter's spirit of discernment? Why did not John befriend him, take him home, introduce him to Mary, the Lord's mother? Where was Andrew? Of all the apostles, Andrew was the one always reaching out to bring outsiders to Jesus. What happened to Nathaniel, that "Israelite indeed, in whom [was] no guile"? (John 1:47). How disappointing that none of the apostles were willing to so much as investigate the testimony of Saul. Surely a few minutes' conversation with him would have enabled the Spirit of God in Saul to bear witness with the Spirit of God in them. "They were all afraid," the Holy Spirit says. They "believed not." (See Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary)

John MacArthur adds “Saul must have seemed to them to be the quintessential wolf in sheep’s clothing, now trying to destroy from within what he had previously tried to destroy from without.”

Peterson comments that "Even believers who have seen the power of God at work in their own lives can doubt God’s ability to change others. It is also true that, ‘this shows a misdirected fear of the persecutor rather than God (cf. Luke 12:4–5)’" (Pillar NT Commentary) - PA

V. 27 But Barnabas took him - I never noticed this before, but Barnabas and Saul, who will then be Paul, have a huge falling out over John Mark, who Saul sees as a traitor. Barnabas is not wrong this time about Saul, nor later regarding John Mark, who Saul deems a coward. Maybe Saul recounts this later, as we do see him warm to John Mark after he has been tested. 

Barnabas took hold of him - We know that Barnabas was filled with the Spirit and thus he was bold in the Lord. Barnabas, "Son of Encouragement" came alongside Saul and served as a buffer as he brought him to apostles in Jerusalem. Years later in his great "definition" of love in First Corinthians Paul would write words that aptly describe the selfless action of Barnabas - "believes all things." (1 Cor 13:7) The Spirit wrought love in Barnabas believed Saul's story and sincerity and that his coming was not a spy mission or subterfuge! - PA

Vs. 28-30 But when the brothers learned of it - He is now a recognized part of them, the body of believers.

But when the brethren learned of it - The fellow believers in Jerusalem (cf Ananias addressing Saul as "brother Saul" Acts 9:17+). Brethren (adelphos) are literally those born of the same womb, and figuratively speaking all believers have been born of One Spirit (cf 1 Cor 12:13, Jn 3:3-6), children of God in God's family (Jn 1:12-13+, 1 Jn 3:1+). - PA

V. 31 Was having peace - Externally, their greatest persecutor had become a Christian. The Jews have issues to deal with due to Rome, so there seems to be quiet in the region. Internally, if there is a lot of division, due to false teachers, pride etc., then the church would be dividing not growing, but it seems that they are of one mind, wanting the truth, desiring for Christ to be glorified. A nice period in the early church, no matter how short lived. 

John Phillips on enjoyed peace - It is not only the blood of the martyrs that is the seed of the church. God can use times of rest and tranquility as well as times of rage and tribulation. He brings His people into green pastures and beside the still waters from time to time. He makes even our enemies to be at peace with us. A truce now seems to have been accepted in Palestine. Jews and Christians decided to leave each other alone. Judaism set its sails towards the sunset in its stubborn refusal to acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. The church dropped anchor for the time being before spreading its sails again in search of new worlds to win for Christ. (See Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary) - PA

…4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. 5Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.… Romans 15: 4-6

…2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;…

…5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.… Ephesians 4: 2-7