THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (a) Highlight the activities of Peter in Lydda and Joppa ( 11 marks ) (b) Identify two ways by...

Answer Details

(a) The activities of Peter in Lydda and Joppa

At Lydda: As Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." Immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

At Joppa: Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas (Gazelle). She was full of good works and acts of charity, especially making garments for widows. At that time she fell sick and died, and they washed her body and laid it in an upper room.

Since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, urging him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upper room, and all the widows stood beside him weeping and showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

Peter put them all outside, knelt down and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, rise." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He gave her his hand and lifted her up; then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Afterwards Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner. Through the healing of Aeneas and the raising of Dorcas, Peter continued the healing ministry of Jesus and brought many people to faith.

(b) Two ways some pastors hide behind miracles to cause havoc in society today

1. Fraud and extortion - some pastors stage false miracles to deceive people into giving them large sums of money and property, thereby impoverishing their followers.
2. Manipulation and immorality - some use claims of miraculous power to control, intimidate or sexually exploit vulnerable members, and to divert people from proper medical help, sometimes leading to death.