Because he caused quite a lot of turmoil among the church, and stirred Jews up to harmful levels, Saul was sent out to Tarsus, his place of birth, to further his ministry by preaching the gospel and sharing the truth about the resurrected Christ.
“31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)
After Saul left, the persecution against Christians subsided, as Jews focused their energy on battling Caligula, the self-centered Roman emperor who ordered for his statue to be placed in Jewish temples, to be worshipped as a god.
Such a distraction among the Jews provided peace within the Christian church, and allowed for the body to grow as countless people believed and joined the body of Christ.
“32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.” (Acts 9:32)
On a mission throughout the region, meant to empower existing believers and further God’s kingdom, Peter visited the churches of Judea where he would be called to perform miracles, that would serve as proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit and the divine power of God bestowed upon the apostle of Jesus, the living Christ.
One of the locations where Peter answer the call and healed a fellow was in Lydda, a town south east Joppa, along the Mediterranean sea cost.
“33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.” (Acts 9:33-34)
Aeneas, who was led to Christ by Philip during a previous missionary journey had been paralyzed for close to a decade. Upon Peter’s visit, the paralytic man was healed by the Holy Spirit of God, as stated by the apostle during the healing miracle.
“35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” (Acts 9:35)
Following Peter’s miraculous healing of Aeneas in Lydda, those who saw the healed man were drawn to God’s divine power, and open their minds and hearts to Christ’s church. Because of this healing, many were saved and born again of faith in the risen Messiah. Let’s pray!
