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on the Lord.” Note carefully it was not Peter on whom they believed, but on the Lord. How unlike this is to Christian Sci ence healings where pretty much all the honor is given to Mrs. Eddy and not to God. Peter evidently was an adept at so hiding himself that men saw “Jesus only.” But while many believed on the Lord, not every one believed on Him. If one is determined not to believe, even a resurrection from the dead will not con vince him (Luke 16:31; cf. John 7:17). W e hear much in these days about “taking a whole city for the Lord.” But this is empty boasting, it never occurs, “many” may believe, “ a great number” may turn to the Lord (ch. 11:21), but. when we talk about taking a whole city for Christ we are not talking according to the Book. In the greatest revivals in our large cities, though the converts may be numbered by the thousands, there are far more who are not converted than who are converted. These converts in Joppa did not- believe merely about the Lord, they believed- “ in” or “on” (R . V .) the Lord. They did no't merely accept orthodox statements about Hup, they believed in Hiniself. The proof that one really does believe “ on the Lord” is that he accepts Him (John 1:12). How is it with you? Do you believe about the Lord Jesus, or do you “believe on the Lord Jesus?” OUTLINE What had Peter been doing? Eccl. 11:16. What were believers called before they were called Christians? Rom. 1:7. Who are the New Testament saints ? 1 Cor. 1:2. Is palsy a type o f sin? Rom. 5:6. How did Isaiah describe sin-sickness? Isa. 1 :5, 6 . Should we wait for sinners to find us, or should we seek to find them? Luke 5:31; 19:10. In what Name did Peter speak health to the sick man? Acts 3:6, 16. By what authority did" he use this Name? Mar)c 16:17, 18.
a lesson for Christian workers today. When you have laid hold of God by prayer as Peter did, then you can lay hold of corpses as Peter did, and you-can bid them arise and they will arise. His words to sleeping Tabitha were few, indeed, only two, “ Tabitha, arise,” and then look ; •those eyes so long closed, open. Oh, some bright day Jesus Himself will say to all sleeping loved ones, “Arise,” and their eyes too shall open and they shall arise, never to sleep again (John 5:28, 29). v. 41. “And he gave her his hand, and lifted ( raised ) her up: and when he had called ( calling) the saints and widows, (add, he) presented her alive." Peter gave her his hand and raised her up just as he had seen Jesus do in the case o f his own mother-in-laW (Mark 1:31). It is not enough that we speak the word that has saving power in it, .we need also to, give those to whom we speak the helping hand. v. 42. “And it was ( became ) known throughout all Joppa, and many betieved in (on) the Lord.” The report o f the wonder -that had been wrought soon spread throughout Joppa. It was a wonderful proof o f the power o f Jesus’ name, the power of that name even over death, and it was also a conclusive proof that God Himself honored that name as Divine. Therefore, the result was “many believed LESSON (1 ) Restoration of Aeneas, vs. 32-35. Following the conversion of Saul, what had the church? Acts 9:31. Three things are said o f the church in v, 31 : First, edified through the W ord o f God, 2 Tim, 4 :2; Eph. 4:16. Second, sanctified, walking in the fear . o f God, 2 Cor. 7 :1 ; Còl. 1:10. Third, they were multiplied, Acts .16:5. What were the first lessons in mathemat ics in the early church ?
Addition, Acts 2:47. Division, Acts 8:1. Multiplication, Acts 9 :31.
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