The theme of chapter nine is death to life. Saul, who will become Paul, is brought from spiritual death to spiritual life. Dorcas is brought from physical death to physical life.
Saul was very religious and desired to follow God but even in all of his sincerity he was wrong. Saul had the zeal for God but he was spiritually blind to who Christ was and what the death, burial and resurrection of Christ meant. Saul was made blind physically so he could see spiritually. God allows events in our life to teach us, and strengthen us for His glory. When he gained spiritual sight Saul surrendered to Christ. This is where salvation takes places. Salvation happens when helpless repentances grips our hearts and we see our need and our hope only rest in the cross of Jesus. This is a one time transformation that is called by Jesus in John 3 being born again. Have you realized your sinful condition and do you understand Jesus died for you on the cross. Have you repented of your sinful condition, not just your sins, but your condition of being a condemned sinner and prayerfully accepted the act of God’s love on the cross as the payment for your condition? If you have not done this will you please do that today? Let us know if you have and the next step of obedience is baptism.
What does surrender look like? We know we have surrendered when we say with Saul in verse 6, “what will you have me to do”? We know we have surrendered when we say with Ananias, “behold, I am here, Lord”. We know, we know when all we know is Jesus. We know we don’t understand when we look at Christ and have conditions to our obedience. Now we may have questions, Ananias wanted to make sure God knew what he knew about Saul. When God directs us there will be moments where we say; “Say What?”. But Ananias was obedient and led Saul into the relationship with Christ. Saul surrendered to baptism without hesitation. Now Saul became the hated one by the Jews, because he preached and taught Jesus. Saul was their leader and knew the scriptures and many got saved. A Christian’s life should not be very difficult when we make it about obedience to Christ.
God used Peter to raise Dorcas from the dead at the close of the chapter. In verse 36 it said that Dorcas was full of good works and alms deeds. For this reason I believe Peter was allowed to raise her from the dead, she was beneficial to the work of Christ. Again the question Christ asks me is; is my life beneficial to the kingdom of Christ and His gospel? What if God said I will grant you another 10 years, what impact will those years be for His Kingdom?
Let’s advance God’s Kingdom through obedience to His Word and the faithfulness of sharing His Word. Today God may use you to raise someone from spiritual death.
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