Ministry in Lydda and Sharon (Acts 9:32–35)
• Peter spreads the message of the resurrection of Christ (Acts 9:32).
• Aeneas is healed as a sign to the Jews in Lydda (Acts 9:33–34).
• The residents of Lydda and Sharon turn to the Lord (Acts 9:35).
Historical and Geographical Context:
• Lydda:
o Established by the tribe of Benjamin after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 11:35).
o Known under Roman rule as Diospolis (“City of Zeus”).
o Located in the coastal plain of Judea, about 10–12 miles southeast of Joppa and 25–30 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
o Identified with the modern Israeli city of Lod.
o Functioned as a significant administrative and commercial center along the Via Maris trade route.
• Sharon:
o A fertile coastal plain in which Lydda was located.
o Extended from Joppa to Mount Carmel, about 50 miles long and 10 miles wide.
o Part of the major international highway network between Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The Resuscitation of Tabitha (Acts 9:36–43)
• Tabitha, a disciple in Joppa, is known for good works and charitable alms (Acts 9:36).
• She becomes ill and dies (Acts 9:37).
• The disciples send for Peter (Acts 9:38).
• God raises Tabitha through Peter (Acts 9:39–40).
• Peter presents her alive (Acts 9:41).
• Many in Joppa believe because of her restoration (Acts 9:42).
• Peter remains in Joppa for several days (Acts 9:43).
God Sends a Messenger to Cornelius (Acts 10:1–8)
• Cornelius:
o A centurion of the Italian Cohort (Acts 10:1).
o The unit’s Latin name, Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum, signifies it was composed of Roman citizens—an elite auxiliary unit.
o Possibly a volunteer force, stationed in Caesarea Maritima.
o A proselyte who feared God (Acts 10:2).
• Cornelius receives a vision during prayer at the ninth hour (Acts 10:3).
• An angel tells him:
o His prayers and alms have ascended to God (Acts 10:4).
o He must send for Peter, who is in Joppa (Acts 10:5–6).
• Cornelius sends two servants and a devout soldier (Acts 10:7–8).
Peter’s Vision: Gentiles Will Be Fellow Heirs (Acts 10:9–23)
• At the sixth hour, Peter prays on a rooftop (Acts 10:9).
• He falls into a trance and sees:
o A sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals (Acts 10:10–12).
o A voice commands him to kill and eat (Acts 10:13).
o Peter refuses, citing uncleanness (Acts 10:14).
o The voice says not to call common what God has cleansed (Acts 10:15).
o This occurs three times (Acts 10:16).
• The men from Cornelius arrive while Peter is perplexed about the vision (Acts 10:17–18).
• The Spirit instructs Peter to go with them (Acts 10:19–20).
• The men explain why they were sent (Acts 10:21–22).
• Peter invites them in and departs with them the next day (Acts 10:23).
The Gentiles Are Accepted into the Church (Acts 10:24–48)
Peter Meets Cornelius (Acts 10:24–29):
• Cornelius expects Peter and gathers relatives and friends (Acts 10:24).
• He worships Peter, but Peter corrects him (Acts 10:25–26).
• Many are assembled to hear Peter (Acts 10:27).
• Peter explains that, though unlawful for Jews to associate with Gentiles, he came because the Spirit instructed him (Acts 10:28–29).
Cornelius Explains the Vision (Acts 10:30–33):
• Describes the angel in bright clothing and the command to send for Peter (Acts 10:30–32).
• He gathers everyone to hear what the Lord has commanded Peter (Acts 10:33).
Peter’s Sermon: The Death and Resurrection of Christ (Acts 10:34–43):
• God shows no partiality; all who fear Him are accepted (Acts 10:34–35).
• God sent the message to Israel, preaching peace through Jesus (Acts 10:36).
• The people knew of Jesus’ ministry after John’s baptism (Acts 10:37).
• Jesus was anointed by God, did good works, and healed the oppressed (Acts 10:38).
• Peter and others witnessed His ministry and death (Acts 10:39).
• God raised Him on the third day (Acts 10:40).
• He appeared to chosen witnesses (Acts 10:41).
• These witnesses were commanded to proclaim Him as Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).
• The prophets testify that belief in Him brings forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43).
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44–48):
• While Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44).
• This amazes the Jewish believers (Acts 10:45).
• The Gentiles speak in tongues (Acts 10:46).
• Peter commands that they be baptized (Acts 10:47–48).
• This fulfills the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body (Ephesians 3:6).
• Peter spreads the message of the resurrection of Christ (Acts 9:32).
• Aeneas is healed as a sign to the Jews in Lydda (Acts 9:33–34).
• The residents of Lydda and Sharon turn to the Lord (Acts 9:35).
Historical and Geographical Context:
• Lydda:
o Established by the tribe of Benjamin after the Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 11:35).
o Known under Roman rule as Diospolis (“City of Zeus”).
o Located in the coastal plain of Judea, about 10–12 miles southeast of Joppa and 25–30 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
o Identified with the modern Israeli city of Lod.
o Functioned as a significant administrative and commercial center along the Via Maris trade route.
• Sharon:
o A fertile coastal plain in which Lydda was located.
o Extended from Joppa to Mount Carmel, about 50 miles long and 10 miles wide.
o Part of the major international highway network between Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The Resuscitation of Tabitha (Acts 9:36–43)
• Tabitha, a disciple in Joppa, is known for good works and charitable alms (Acts 9:36).
• She becomes ill and dies (Acts 9:37).
• The disciples send for Peter (Acts 9:38).
• God raises Tabitha through Peter (Acts 9:39–40).
• Peter presents her alive (Acts 9:41).
• Many in Joppa believe because of her restoration (Acts 9:42).
• Peter remains in Joppa for several days (Acts 9:43).
God Sends a Messenger to Cornelius (Acts 10:1–8)
• Cornelius:
o A centurion of the Italian Cohort (Acts 10:1).
o The unit’s Latin name, Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum, signifies it was composed of Roman citizens—an elite auxiliary unit.
o Possibly a volunteer force, stationed in Caesarea Maritima.
o A proselyte who feared God (Acts 10:2).
• Cornelius receives a vision during prayer at the ninth hour (Acts 10:3).
• An angel tells him:
o His prayers and alms have ascended to God (Acts 10:4).
o He must send for Peter, who is in Joppa (Acts 10:5–6).
• Cornelius sends two servants and a devout soldier (Acts 10:7–8).
Peter’s Vision: Gentiles Will Be Fellow Heirs (Acts 10:9–23)
• At the sixth hour, Peter prays on a rooftop (Acts 10:9).
• He falls into a trance and sees:
o A sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals (Acts 10:10–12).
o A voice commands him to kill and eat (Acts 10:13).
o Peter refuses, citing uncleanness (Acts 10:14).
o The voice says not to call common what God has cleansed (Acts 10:15).
o This occurs three times (Acts 10:16).
• The men from Cornelius arrive while Peter is perplexed about the vision (Acts 10:17–18).
• The Spirit instructs Peter to go with them (Acts 10:19–20).
• The men explain why they were sent (Acts 10:21–22).
• Peter invites them in and departs with them the next day (Acts 10:23).
The Gentiles Are Accepted into the Church (Acts 10:24–48)
Peter Meets Cornelius (Acts 10:24–29):
• Cornelius expects Peter and gathers relatives and friends (Acts 10:24).
• He worships Peter, but Peter corrects him (Acts 10:25–26).
• Many are assembled to hear Peter (Acts 10:27).
• Peter explains that, though unlawful for Jews to associate with Gentiles, he came because the Spirit instructed him (Acts 10:28–29).
Cornelius Explains the Vision (Acts 10:30–33):
• Describes the angel in bright clothing and the command to send for Peter (Acts 10:30–32).
• He gathers everyone to hear what the Lord has commanded Peter (Acts 10:33).
Peter’s Sermon: The Death and Resurrection of Christ (Acts 10:34–43):
• God shows no partiality; all who fear Him are accepted (Acts 10:34–35).
• God sent the message to Israel, preaching peace through Jesus (Acts 10:36).
• The people knew of Jesus’ ministry after John’s baptism (Acts 10:37).
• Jesus was anointed by God, did good works, and healed the oppressed (Acts 10:38).
• Peter and others witnessed His ministry and death (Acts 10:39).
• God raised Him on the third day (Acts 10:40).
• He appeared to chosen witnesses (Acts 10:41).
• These witnesses were commanded to proclaim Him as Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42).
• The prophets testify that belief in Him brings forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43).
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44–48):
• While Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44).
• This amazes the Jewish believers (Acts 10:45).
• The Gentiles speak in tongues (Acts 10:46).
• Peter commands that they be baptized (Acts 10:47–48).
• This fulfills the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body (Ephesians 3:6).