Atos 9

Atos 9

Guzik comments that "We should remind ourselves that Dorcas was not resurrected; she was resuscitated to her old life, where she would die again. The fact that the Lord raised Dorcas, yet Stephen (and later, James in Acts 12:2) remained dead, reflects on God’s unknowable ways. After all, it certainly seemed that Stephen and James were more important to the church than Dorcas. Yet we must always trust God’s greater wisdom and knowledge in all such things. Dorcas wasn’t raised for her own sake. She would have enjoyed heaven better! She was raised for the sake of her ministry to others, which is the same reason we have passed from death into life (John 5:24)." And calling the saints (set apart ones - hagios) and widows (chera) he presented her alive - Imagine the scene. Crying turned to celebrating. Tears gave way to giving of thanks. Mourning was turned to dancing, as gladness replaced sadness. Peter had sent them out weeping and wailing but calls them in to experience rejoicing and renewal of fellowship with dear Dorcas. Presented (3936)(paristemi from para = near, beside + histemi = place, set) literally means to place or set beside or near and hence to place at someone's disposal (in a sense Dorcas was now at the saints and widows "disposal" ready to resume the will and work of the Lord!). Alive (2198)(zao) means she had returned to phsical life from the dead (cf Mt 9:18). Talk about a "near death experience!" Isn't it fascinating (and very instructive) that she did not describe her own "near death experience." Paul also almost certainly had a "near death experience" in Acts 14:19, 20 (compare his later description in 2 Cor 12:3, 4 which would have been about the same time as the event in Acts 14). The upshot is that neither Dorcas or Paul described their experiences! THE LESSON IS VERY CLEAR TO THE MODERN CHURCH YEARNING TO SEE THE SUPERNATURAL! BEWARE! Be very cautious when people begin to speak or write about Near Death Experiences! What does the Bible say about near death experiences? (What happens after death?) Jack Arnold asks - The question still may be asked, “Do people get raised from the dead today?” Pentecostals and charismatics make these claims, but they can never be proven to my satisfaction. It is always something which happens in Indonesia, or South Korea or Haiti where it is almost impossible to authenticate. My personal conviction is that Christ does not raise the dead today because this was tied up with the sign-gifts which are no longer in existence. But this I know for sure. God does a far greater miracle than raising the physical dead every time he shoots spiritual life into an unregenerate sinner. Men come to life as they are quickened by the Spirit. Christ brings Christ-rejecting sinners to spiritual and eternal life through the supernatural new birth. When men and women, boys and girls pass from death to life this is a far greater miracle than what occurred in Dorcas. (The Miracle Worker) Brian Bill - We don’t hear about what happens next but I don’t think she went out on a speaking circuit to give her testimony. I’m convinced that after she regained her strength, she went right back to her quiet and unassuming service. Miracles always magnify God and work to spread the good news of His glory. When you hear of someone claiming a miracle and all they’re doing is focusing on themselves, your guard should go up. Look at verse 42: “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.” This is actually the greater miracle. (Sermon) Acts 9:42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. KJV 9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. many believed in the Lord Acts 9:35; 11:21; 19:17,18; John 11:4,45; 12:11,44 Acts 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION AGAIN STIMULATES EVANGELISM It became known all over Joppa - "It" of course is the resurrection of Dorcas from the dead. The good news spread throughout the city. How did it spread? They had no group text messaging. No, the disciples dispersed throughout the city with the good news of physical revival which would pave the way for the reception of the good news of spiritual rebirth to any of the souls in the city who were not believers. We see a similar effect in both the OT and NT but sadly neither of these miracles has any record of conversions as a result... 1 Kings 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.” Luke 7:16-17 Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!” This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district. Jack Andrews adds "The church, the saints, the widows told everyone, but Dorcas was living proof. She was a living testimony of the power of God. When dead men and women began to live around here word will spread through this town. We need God to do a resurrection miracle amongst His church today." Jack Arnold comments that "When we Christians live like supernaturalists, this will be attractive to the unsaved, and as they see men whose lives are supernaturally changed by Christ, they will be drawn to Christ." (The Miracle Worker) Brian Harbour wrote, “Not only did the power in Peter’s life come from Jesus, but also the manifestation of that power pointed people to Jesus.” Steven