In Acts 9, Peter encountered a man named Aeneas who had been paralysed for eight years. Recognising his need, Peter did not anoint him with oil or lay hands on him. Instead, he simply declared, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Immediately, Aeneas got up. There was no gradual recovery, no delay; the healing was instantaneous. The miracle demonstrated the power and authority of Jesus Christ working through His servant.
Later in the same chapter, we read of another remarkable miracle. A faithful believer named Tabitha (also called Dorcas) had died. Peter sent all the mourners out of the room, then knelt down and prayed. Only after praying did he turn to the body and say, “Tabitha, arise.” At once she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
These miracles remind us that the power displayed was not Peter's own. He acted in complete dependence on the Lord, speaking and acting in faith as the Holy Spirit directed him. The same Jesus who healed the sick and raised the dead during His earthly ministry continued His work through the apostles by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Miracles in Acts 9: Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Tabitha
In Acts 9, the Apostle Peter performs two distinct miracles that demonstrate the ongoing authority of Jesus Christ through the early church: the instantaneous healing of a paralysed man named Aeneas, and the resurrection of a faithful believer named Tabitha (Dorcas). These events establish that apostolic miracles were achieved not through human ability, but through direct dependence on the Holy Spirit.
1. The Healing of Aeneas
The Subject: Aeneas, a man who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years.
The Method: Peter bypassed traditional rituals—he did not anoint Aeneas with oil or lay hands on him. Instead, he issued a direct verbal declaration of Christ's authority: “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.”
The Result: The healing was instantaneous. Aeneas experienced no delay or gradual recovery period; he stood up immediately.
2. The Resurrection of Tabitha (Dorcas)
The Subject: Tabitha (also known by her Greek name, Dorcas), a faithful believer who had died.
The Method: Peter demonstrated total dependence on God by first sending all the mourners out of the room to kneel and pray. Only after seeking divine direction did he turn to the body and command, “Tabitha, arise.”
The Result: She immediately opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.
Key Theological Takeaways
Divine Authority: The miracles validate that the same Jesus who healed the sick and raised the dead during His earthly ministry continued His work directly through His apostles.
Servant Dependence: Peter’s actions – specifically praying before acting and explicitly naming Jesus as the healer – prove the power displayed was not his own. He acted strictly in faith as directed by the Holy Spirit.