Description: Witness the power of the early church in action through the miracles of Peter. The healing of Aeneas and the raising of Tabitha reveal a God who works through His people to care for the suffering and demonstrate His glory.

Scripture: Acts 9:32-42

Explanation: This portion of Acts chapter 9 moves from the singular, dramatic conversion of Saul to the ongoing, life-giving ministry of the church. Peter, acting as a leader and shepherd, becomes a conduit for God's miraculous power. We first meet Aeneas, a man defined by his long-term affliction—eight years paralyzed. Peter's declaration is not of his own ability but is a direct attribution of power to the Son of God: 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee.' The healing is immediate and complete, a powerful testimony that caused many in the region to turn to the Lord. Then, the narrative shifts to Tabitha, also called Dorcas. She wasn't an apostle or a great preacher, but a disciple known for her tangible acts of love and service—'full of good works and almsdeeds.' Her death brought genuine grief to her community. When Peter arrives, he doesn't offer mere condolences; he prays and, through the power of God, commands her to arise. These miracles demonstrate that God works through His people to bring both physical and spiritual restoration, confirming the truth of the gospel and drawing many to faith in Him.

Parable: In a small, rust-belt town hollowed out by factory closures, stood an old church led by a pastor named Frank. The town's spirit was paralyzed with hopelessness, much like Aeneas. The town's community center had been closed for years, its windows boarded up. Pastor Frank knew he couldn't fix the economy, but he could obey God. He felt called to simply 'make the bed.' He and a few men from his church went to the derelict community center, and with the town's permission, they started cleaning. They pulled weeds, replaced broken windows, and gave it a new coat of paint. It was grueling work with no promise of reward. Meanwhile, a group of older women in the church, led by a sweet lady named Dorothy, heard about children going to school hungry. They called themselves the 'Dorcas Kitchen.' They started small, making peanut butter sandwiches and packing them with an apple and a juice box. Every morning, they were at the school, handing out lunches to any child who needed one, no questions asked. They were simply showing the 'garments' of Christ's love. A reporter from a nearby city, doing a story on urban decay, stumbled upon the revitalization of the community center and the quiet, faithful work of the Dorcas Kitchen. He wrote a story titled 'A Town Called Hope.' A Christian businessman read the article and was so moved that he provided the funding to fully reopen the community center and expand the feeding program. The town saw this practical, powerful love in action, and many began attending Pastor Frank's church, turning to the Lord who had healed their town's broken spirit.

Moral: These accounts remind us that God's power is demonstrated through His church in both miraculous and practical ways. Whether it is a supernatural healing or a quiet act of service, our faithful obedience makes us the hands and feet of Jesus. We are called to bring His restorative power to a hurting world, so that in seeing our good works, many will glorify our Father in heaven and believe on the Lord. As Jesus said, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.' Matthew 5:16 (ASV).