In the book of Acts, Luke wants to show us how the ministry of Jesus continues in the work of the Holy Spirit through the church. Jesus said, on the night before he died, that he would return to the Father so that he could pour out the Holy Spirit. As a result of this, Jesus said that his disciples would be empowered to do the very kinds of things that he had done but on a much larger scale because, by the Holy Spirit, his ministry would be multiplied and dispersed throughout the world (John 14:12). Jesus also said to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven (from where he would pour out the Holy Spirit) that he would be with them until the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). So now Luke wants to show us that Jesus’ ministry continues by the Holy Spirit. In this story both Peter and Tabitha exemplify the continuation of Jesus’ ministry. The fact that Peter’s works are more ‘sensational’ should not distract us from Tabitha’s equally remarkable life. The miracles that Peter was enabled to perform were to be signs confirming his message. This is why Luke often focuses on the apostolic signs; because he wants to demonstrate that God was authenticating the apostles’ message as they laid the foundation for the Christian church. We could say that Tabitha’s works as they are described here show us what God wants us to do for him but Peter’s works show what God wants to do for those who live like Tabitha. He will raise them up to eternal life.
Ask God to empower you to represent Jesus today.
Read Acts 9:32-43
