The text for this morning's message is found in the book of Acts. I invite you to turn there, if you have a Bible,

Acts Chapter 9. We'll begin reading at verse 23.

When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him.

But their plot became known to Saul.

They were watching the gates day and night to kill him, but his disciples took

him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket. And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples, and they were all afraid

of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord who spoke to him and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenist, but they were seeking to kill him.

And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Cessaria and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace

and was built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the Saints that lived

at Lydia. There he found a man named Ananius who had

been beridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, Ananius Jesus Christ heals you, rise

and make your bed. And immediately he rose and all the residents of Lyda and Sharon saw him.

And they turned to the Lord.

Now there was a Japa, a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas.

She was full of good works and acts of charity.

In those days she fell sick and died.

And when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lida was near

Japa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him in treating him.

Please come to us without delay.

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