Is it possible that Christians could raise the dead today?
In providing an answer to this question: Is it Possible That Christians Could Raise the Dead Today?; we will investigate why the disciples at Joppa sent for Apostle Peter and what enables him to raise Tabitha from the dead.
“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did,” (Acts 9:36).
So, Tabitha wasn’t a selfish person. She helped many persons in need. And because of her charitable way of life many people loved her.
“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber,” (Acts 9:37).
Did the Disciples at Joppa Expect Peter to Raise Dorcas from the Dead?
Now, the Jewish custom is to bury any Jewish person who died within twenty-four hours.
Moreover, the two towns were in close proximity to each other. And the disciples at Joppa heard that Apostle Peter was in the nearby town. Therefore, they sent for him.
“And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them,” (Acts 9:38).
As a result, the urgent request for Peter was two-fold: to raise Tabitha from the dead as quickly as possible and if Peter wasn’t there they could bury her the same day.
Why did the disciples at Joppa send for Apostle Peter? And why did he go with the two men from Joppa?
Note What Peter Did
“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them,” (Acts 9:39).
So without any doubts they sent for him to raise Dorcas from the dead. And without any reservations he came to achieve just that.
What gave both groups of disciples this immense confidence that they could raise someone from the dead?
Additionally, why did Peter send everyone out from the room?
The one thing you don’t need in a situation like this is negative and doubtful people. Detractors!
Did Peter Pray that the Dead Come Back to Life?
“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up,” (Acts 9:40).
Why was the disciples at Joppa so confident that Peter could raise Dorcas from the dead?
The answer to this question is also the reason they sent for Peter in the first place.
Both these two groups of Believers got the identical teaching concerning raising the dead.
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give,” (Matthew 10:8).
This wasn’t a general command to the church but to its headship—its leaders. Moreover, Peter was one of the Twelve Apostles (Leaders) of the First Century Church. Jesus instructed them in the quotation above.
No! Peter Didn’t Pray That The Lord Raise Tabitha From The Dead
No! Peter didn’t pray that the Lord raise Tabitha from the dead. Just as how we should never pray for healing he wouldn’t pray for her resurrection. Jesus never taught the church to pray for the sick or the dead.
Instead, Apostle Peter prayed the prayer of faith, then he confidently spoke his faith, for he commanded Dorcas to get up. And she did.
“And [Peter] gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive,” (Acts 9:41).
Apostle Peter was able to speak to the dead Dorcas and she obeyed for a variety of reasons.
First, He was obedient to Jesus Christ. The latter instructed him to raise the dead without any charge. Do it for free.
Could Someone Raise the Dead Just by Speaking?
Second, Peter only was capable to speak to dead Tabitha and she obey because he was full of the Holy Ghost.
Recall, that this incident with Tabitha occurred after the Day of Pentecost. It happened after the church received power from heaven, (Acts 1:8).
The Holy Ghost is the Lord God working in the church. Consequently, only Believers who obey and believe Jesus Christ possess Him. He doesn’t live in all so-called Christians because they don’t all obey the words of Jesus Christ.
It’s this unstoppable awesomeness of the Living Water springing up in Peter which gave him immense faith in God. Therefore, he did what Jesus instructed him to do being fully convinced that he and heaven would back-up his words to dead Tabitha. Tabitha get up!
Authority to Raise the Dead?
The final reason Peter could speak to the dead and it obeys is resident in his authority. He had authority with Christ because he sent him.
Furthermore, Jesus had already baptized Peter in water in his name. Therefore, the latter had authority with the former.
Could You Believe in Jesus Because you see a Christian Raise the Dead?
This is one of the chief ways that Jesus Christ used to increase his disciples’ faith in him as the Son of God.
For instance, he raised Lazarus from the dead and both his own disciples and the citizens believed in him because of this miracle.
“But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus,” (John 12:10-11).
Miracles, like the raising of the dead, when done in the name of the Lord always birth great faith in Him through Jesus Christ.
Please, don’t get your religious wires cross
Please, don’t get your religious wires cross. The narrative of Luke 16:27-31 has no place in this discussion. Repentance is not faith.
Jesus changed water into wine and his disciples believed on him because of that miracle.
Consequently, John writes:
“This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him,” (John 2:11).
However, miracles serve to initiate faith in God through Jesus Christ even for those who are not Christians.
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did,”(John 2:23).
Peter’s miracle of raising Dorcas from the dead motive faith in God in many
Now, this is not the same as those who only believe when they see signs and wonder.
“Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe,” (John 4:48).
This speaks only to the heard-hearted ones. Those who refuse to believe the Words of Jesus Christ in the first place.
We believe the words of Jesus. And because we do all things are possible to us. All things even the raising of the dead today.
As a result, Peter’s miracle of raising Dorcas from the dead motive faith in God in many.
“And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord,” (Acts 9:42).
Who Raises the Dead?
The working of miracle in the church doesn’t “cause people to clamor for more miracles”, because they come not to see more of them but to praise and worship Christ Jesus our Lord.
However, if miracles result from our praise of Him more people will believe in His name and more Christians will experience depth in their walk with Him.
“And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner,” (Acts 9:43).
“Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8).
In closing, humanity cannot raise anyone from the dead. We are only vessels that God uses to manifest His might power. Therefore, it is God that raises the dead.
We are only the instruments that God uses to raise the dead
“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead,” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
When we obey Jesus Christ we possess power with God. A Believer who raises the dead is only manifesting the awesome power of our Lord Jesus Christ working through him or her.
If you obey the instructions of Jesus Christ to be born again, you could have authority to raise the dead too. But you must obey he and his disciples’ instructions concerning the rebirth. You ways must please God. Peter pleases God.
