Study 23. Acts 9:32-10:48
For Thought and Discussion: Compare Acts 9:32-43 to Luke 4:18-19,38-39 and 8:40-42,51-56. Why do you think it is important for us to know that Peter healed the sick and raised the dead (see John 14:12-14)? (That is, why does Luke keep telling us these miracle stories?) Jesus’ ministry as prophesied by Isaiah was shared by the apostles. The same Spirit that anointed Jesus was working through Peter. What Peter had experienced with Jesus' ministry he was himself now performing with the same authority to heal and raise the dead. There is continuity between Jesus' work and the work of the apostles. Peter is going out of Jerusalum to teach and minister. The miracles led to people believing. "Luke would have disagreed with the common modern suggestion that a faith based on miracles is not a true faith" (Marshall) The Christians in Joppa felt sufficient faith in the possibility of resurrection to send for Peter and bid him come at once.(Marshall) (Peter...