YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

CHAPEL OF VICTORY (HAUSA SECTION) B.U.K

Theme: …I am doing a new thing… (Isaih 43:19 NIV)

BIBLE STUDY UNIT

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TOPIC: Peter’s Ministry 1: The Healing Miracles

TEXT: Acts 9:32-42, 10:1-48 & 11:1-18.

PROLOGUE: What is the greatest miracle that God can do for us? Some would call the healing of the body God’s greatest
miracle, while others would vote for the raising of the dead. However, Warren Wiersbe notes that, “The greatest miracle of
all is the salvation of a lost sinner.” Why? Because salvation costs the greatest price, it produces the greatest results, and it
brings the greatest glory to God. In this study, we shall find Peter participating in all the three miracles: he heals Aeneas, he
raises Dorcas from the dead, and he brings the message of salvation to Cornelius and his household.

As you read the book of Acts, you will see parallels between the ministries of Peter and Paul. Both healed cripples. Both
were arrested and put into jail and were miraculously delivered. Both were treated like gods (Acts 10:25–26; 14:8–18), and
both gave a bold witness before the authorities. Both had to confront false prophets (Acts 8:9–24; 13:6–12). No one reading
the book of Acts could end up saying, “I am for Paul!” or “I am for Peter!” (1 Cor. 1:12). “But it is the same God which
worketh all in all” (1 Cor. 12:6).

STUDY QUESTIONS

A. A Great Miracle—Healing the Body (Read Acts 9:32–35)

1. Describe the healing of Aeneas (Read Acts 9:34). Discuss: What characteristics do we again see in Bible miracles?
2. What effect did the miracle have on the people (Read Acts 9:35)? Think: Again, what does this show us about the
purpose of miracles?

B. A Greater Miracle—Raising the Dead (Read Acts 9:36–43)

3. When Peter arrived Joppa, what were the people doing, and what did they talk about? (Read Acts 9:39). Discuss:
What can we learn about how we should react when Christians die? (See 1 Thess. 4:13-14).
4. Describe the miracle that occurred in Acts 9:40-41. What effect did this have on the people? (Read Acts 9:42).
Compare this with the raising of Lazarus in John 11:41-44 & 12:9-11

C. The Greatest Miracle—Winning Lost Sinners (Read Acts 10:1–48)

5. Many people believe that all sincere, moral, zealous and religious people are saved. Was Cornelius saved or lost?
(Read Acts 10:1-2 & 11:14).
6. Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16 challenged him to eat foods forbidden in the book of Leviticus. What was God
communicating through this vision? How would you put verse 15 into your own words?
7. Consider how Cornelius’s prayers were heard, how he feared God and gave alms. Does God hear the prayers of the
unsaved?

EPILOGUE: As asked earlier, “What is the greatest miracle that God can do for us? Some would call the healing of the
body as God’s greatest miracle, while others would vote for the raising of the dead.” Having deliberated upon the miracles
performed by God through Peter, we can boldly stand with Warren Wiersbe and say, “The greatest miracle of all is the
salvation of a lost sinner.” No wonder Jesus was the first to introduce this principle when he said, “But seek first of all His
kingdom (salvation – emphasis is mine)…and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” (Mathew 6:33
AMP).
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