Peter Visits Aeneas and Tabitha

The believers throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria were living in peace and growing stronger. They kept going in reverent trust of the Lord and in the Holy Spirit's comfort. As Peter travelled through those regions, he came to the believers living in Lydda.

In Lydda, Peter met a man named Aeneas. He had been lying in bed for eight years because he was paralysed. Peter told him that Jesus Christ was healing him and said to get up and make his bed. Immediately, Aeneas got up.

People in Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas, and they turned to the Lord. Then the account moves to Joppa, a different town. There lived a disciple named Tabitha, whose name is translated Dorcas. She was known for good works and acts of mercy.

Tabitha became sick and died. After her body was washed, she was laid in an upper room. Because Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples sent two men to Peter, urging him to come without delay.

Peter went with them. In the upper room, widows stood beside him weeping and showing the tunics and other garments Tabitha had made while she was with them. Peter sent them all out, knelt down, and prayed. Then he turned to her body and told Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.

Peter gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner. What do you notice people learned about the Lord in both Lydda and Joppa?