Moving Forward

Acts 9:26–35 (NKJV)

26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Acts 9:26-31

Saul left Damascus and landed in Jerusalem, meeting with the Christians and preaching the gospel. It was obvious that as harshly as Saul had persecuted the church prior to his conversion, he would also now preach the gospel of Christ just as ferociously. He angered many of the Jews and the Hellenists, and had to leave Jerusalem, just as he did Damascus. His zeal, though, proved to provoke the church to even further growth, and the church grew in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:32-35

The story of the church shifts back to Peter temporarily, as he came to Lydda and confronted a man paralyzed for eight years. He simply declared the healing of Jesus over him and the man was healed and arose from his bed of affliction to return to his previously normal life. Many believed as a result of this miracle. The church was moving forward in numbers and in notoriety. Any time the church of the living God begins to take territory through the move of the Holy Spirit in its midst, two things happen. First, people are evangelized, converted to the faith. Second, opposition occurs as people resist the gospel. No matter which reaction you seem to encounter, be sure to trust God and keep moving forward!

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