Acts 9:32-35 records of an account in which a man named Aeneas is healed of his palsy (paralysis). The account states that Peter, an apostle of Jesus, came down to the saints who lived in the city of Lydda and there he found a man named Aeneas, who had been a paralytic for eight years. The Scripture states that Peter found Aeneas and Peter told Aeneas, Jesus Christ, makes you whole, now rise up and make your bed. Aeneas does rise immediately and those in Lydda and Saron who saw Aeneas turned to the Lord.
What can we learn from Aeneas?
The name, Aeneas, which means “to praise” is of Greek and Latin in origin. But the bedridden and paralytic life of Aeneas was far from any reason for him to have to praise his Creator. From the account, we learn that it was Peter that found Aeneas, when Peter goes to the saints that dwelt in Lydda, which implies that Aeneas was either in the presence of the saints or was connected in some manner to the saints that dwelt there. Peter also explicitly qualifies that it will be not by him or by any other means, but by Jesus Christ, that Aeneas will be made whole and asks him to rise and make his bed. Aeneas had the option to doubt Peter and the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ and not do as he was told, but the Scripture states that Aeneas rose immediately which is a testament of his faith in Jesus Christ. The end result of this miracle was that all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron (two cities) saw Aeneas and turned to the Lord. The implicit and immediate faith of Aeneas brought about salvation to all in not one but two cities.
When we are asked to rise up and be made whole, can we implicitly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, who can make us whole and immediately obey. Immediate obedience is praiseworthy, since by doing so, not one but two who observe us, may be saved!
Acts 9:32-35 (KJV)
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
