The Green Forest tribune., 1916-04-07
LESSON FOR APRIL 9
AENEAS AND DORCAS.


 
 LESSON TEXT-Acts 9:S2-43 (see also Prov. 31:10-31)
 GOLDEN TEXT-In all things showing myself an ensample of good works.- Titus 2:7
 Step by step the Gospel can be traced, spreading itself, but begin ming at Jerusalem" Paul's conver- sion is one of the greatest evidences of Christianity. The two miracles of today's lesson are additional evidence that it is of God.
 I. At Lydda (vs. 32-35). Caligula, emperor of Rome in A. D. 39, ordered his statue to be erected in Jerusalem that he might be worshiped as a god there as elsewhere. The excitement and conflict which arose ill opposition to this sacrilege lasted for two years, during which time Christian persecu- tions ceased. Following Saul's visit at Jerusalem, and during this time of quiet, Peter made this tour of visita- tion. Lydda (modern Ludd) is about twenty-five miles northwest of Jeru- salem. Here dwelt certain saints (v. 32) literally holy ones," converted disciples of Christ, not ones of spe- cial honor, for all who are members of the body of Christ, are saints" (Phil. ID. Here also dwelt Aeneas, "a certain man." possibly not belieY- CT, but having great need (v. 26:3:2; 10:1, 14:8; 9:10), and of years stand ing (v. 33). Notice Luke, the physi- clans careful record Peter must have seen many such, yet this man is one Peter 'found"; he WAS evidently look ing for him. Peters pity was not sen- timental but practical and his words powerful, for back of them was the Living and Powerful Christ He knew who could work a cure. The long weariness is to be relieved Yet. those days of illness gave time for meditation and probably prepared the 1 mans heart to respond in faith to Peters words. Peter does not attract i attention to himself, but rather to Jesus. His was but to be the lnstru- ment of the cure. Tha healing was a i means to an end, for when those who dwelt in Lydda and Sharon (v. 35) heard of the miracle. or saw this healiA man it was to them .h hapl 5, ss.TTsaAA Of the power of1zz oe ssll Ibis Y remark t1 tne Flsei 5i
 (v. 35). There is TO comparing Peter with modern "healers." Peter's words and actions were a living demonstra- ton, not for profit, of the power of Jesus in his life and testimony.
 II. At Joppa (vs. 36::43). Joppa was the only seaport the Jews ever i possessed for themselves. It was and is still a rather Insignificant town, and now marks the beginning of the railroad leading to Jerusalem, 35 miles distant. No name is recorded of any of it's rich or prominent citi- zens, only that Of an humble woman. The record of her life, however, is inspiring (v 36), and her name is common one adopted by organizations of women. Like her master her life was full of good deeds"; like him she was not ministered unto, but ministered. This is real greatness and it is open to all of us. Her name "Tabitha" (Hebrew), Dorcas Greek, means gazelle, which in the East is favorite type of beauty. This certain disciple" was beautiful in life as well, for she was first a believer, then a doer. We believe in order to do, not do in order to believe. This woman is an example of the wise and capable woman mentioned in Prov. 31:10-31, a picture we'll worth studying in these days of the feminist movement" She is a good type to be followed by church women, and by us all in the fact that her reputation rested upon deeds which she did, (v. 36), not ones she was about to do, nor did she wait for some great opportunity Of service. The life of Dorcas reveals one of the causes of the triumph of Christianity in the Roman empire. It was a source of wonder that those early Christians should so love each other The reason why Dorcas was allowed to die lies in the providence of God. He loved his work and this recorded incident has served to raise up multitudes of other Dorcases. Her death also reveals that being full of good works and aims deeds" does not exempt his servants from sickness and death, and that God evidently has oth- CT purposes in sickness than to chas-- tise our sin or to humble our pride (John 9:3, II Kings 13:1D. The friends of Dorcas were folks of faith, for as yet there was no case of apostolic power to raise the dead so far as we know, and it was now about ten years after the resurrection of Christ. Peter followed the example Of his Lord (Luke 8:2, 54), dismissed all spectators and prayed" (v. 40). The way to revive dead pastor, church, school personal experience, or per son dead in trespasses and sins," is by prayer. Peter also did as he had seen his Master do to his mother-in- law (Mark 1;30, 31}, and gave Dorcas his hand to help her arise.
 This gave an opportunity for fruit