Tears for Tabitha

(Acts 9:32-43)

Peter, moving from town to town, “feeding the flock” as Jesus commanded, found himself in the seaside town of Joppa. Two men had urgently summoned him from nearby Lydda, saying, “Please come quickly!”

When Peter arrived, he was met by a house full of grief. Tabitha, a beloved believer known for her kindness and skill in making clothes for the poor, had died. Her body lay still in an upper room. Widows surrounded Peter, holding up garments Tabitha had made, their tears speaking to the love she had shown them.

Peter asked everyone to leave the room. Alone, he knelt beside Tabitha’s body and prayed. Then, turning to her, he said, “Tabitha, get up!”

Her eyes opened. Seeing Peter, she sat up. Peter helped her to her feet and called for the others. Overwhelmed with joy, they gathered around Tabitha, alive once more.

The news of this miracle spread throughout Joppa, and many believed in Jesus because of what Peter had done in His name.

A Sheet Full of Animals

(Acts 10:1-23)

While staying in Joppa at the house of Simon the tanner, Peter experienced a vision that would forever change the church.

One afternoon, as Peter prayed on the rooftop overlooking the sparkling sea, he fell into a trance. He saw a great sheet being lowered from heaven, filled with animals, reptiles, and birds—all creatures that Jewish law deemed unclean.

A voice commanded, “Peter, rise, kill, and eat!”

“Certainly not, Lord,” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

The voice spoke again, “Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean.”

This vision repeated three times before the sheet was taken back to heaven. Peter awoke, perplexed, pondering what the vision could mean.

At that very moment, three men arrived at Simon’s gate. They were messengers from Cornelius, a Roman centurion who had been told by an angel to send for Peter. God’s Spirit whispered to Peter, “Go with them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Peter invited the men into the house—an act unheard of for a Jew to do with Gentiles. The next day, he traveled with them to Caesarea, ready to see what God had planned.

The Roman Soldier and a New Understanding

(Acts 10:24-48)

In Caesarea, Cornelius awaited Peter, his house filled with family and friends eager to hear the good news. As Peter entered, Cornelius fell at his feet in reverence, but Peter lifted him, saying, “Stand up; I am only a man myself.”

Cornelius explained the angel’s message that had led him to send for Peter. In that moment, Peter realized the meaning of his vision: “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.”

Peter began to preach the gospel, declaring how Jesus was Lord of all, His death and resurrection bringing salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. As he spoke, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who listened.

The Gentiles began praising God, speaking in tongues just as the Jewish believers had on Pentecost. Peter was astonished. “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” he said.

And so, Cornelius and his household were baptized, marking a turning point in the church: the gospel was for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

Prison Gates Open

(Acts 12:1-17)

Herod Agrippa, seeking to please the Jewish leaders, began persecuting the followers of Jesus. He executed James, the brother of John, and imprisoned Peter, intending to kill him after Passover.

Chained between two guards and watched by others at the cell door, Peter slept peacefully the night before his scheduled execution. The church gathered elsewhere, praying fervently for his safety.

In the middle of the night, a light filled Peter’s cell. An angel appeared, striking him awake. “Quick, get up!” the angel commanded, and the chains fell from Peter’s wrists.

“Put on your sandals and cloak,” the angel instructed, leading Peter past guards and through the iron gate, which opened by itself. Outside, the angel disappeared, and Peter realized he wasn’t dreaming.

He hurried to the house where believers were praying. Knocking at the door, he was met by Rhoda, a servant girl, who was so excited to hear Peter’s voice that she forgot to open the door!

“It’s Peter!” she exclaimed inside, but no one believed her. When they finally opened the door, they were astonished. Peter told them of his miraculous escape and asked them to share the news. Then he left for a safer place.

The Lord had rescued Peter once again, showing that no chains could bind those whom God had set free.

These moments remind us of God’s power, grace, and the unstoppable spread of the gospel, breaking barriers and building His church.