“Assayed,” it says, “to join himself to the disciples.” He did not come up to them unabashed, but with a subdued manner. “Disciples” they were all called at that time by reason of their great virtue, for there was the likeness of the disciples plainly to be seen. “But they were all afraid of him.” See how they feared the dangers, how the alarm was yet at its height in them. “But Barnabas,” etc. — it seems to me that Barnabas was of old a friend of his— “and related,” etc.: observe how Paul says nothing of all this himself: nor would he have brought it forward to the others, had he not been compelled to do so.
“And he was with them, coming in and going out at Jerusalem, and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (<!--<span class="stiki"></span>-->v. 28, 29.) This gave them all confidence. “But they went about to slay him: which when the brethren knew” etc. Do you observe how both there (at Damascus), and here, the rest take care for him, and provide for him the means of departure, and that we nowhere find him thus far receiving (direct supernatural) aid from God? So the energy of his character is betokened.
“To Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus:” so that, I suppose, he did not continue his journey by land, but sailed the rest of it. And this (departure) is Providentially ordered, that he might preach there also: and so likewise were the plots against him ordered by God's Providence, and his coming to Jerusalem, that the story about him might no longer be disbelieved. For there he was “speaking boldly,” it says, “in the name of the Lord Jesus; and he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists;” and again, “he was with them coming in and going out.— So the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace”— i.e. it increased: and peace with itself, that peace which is peace indeed: for the war from without would have done them no harm — “they being edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and abounded in the consolation of the Holy Ghost.”
And the spirit consoled them both by the miracles and by the works, and independently of these in the person of each individual. “And it came to pass, etc. And Peter said unto him, Eneas,” etc. But before discourse, before exhortations, he says to the lame man himself, “Jesus Christ makes you whole.” This word he believed in any wise, and was made whole. Observe how unassuming he is: for he said not, “In the Name,” but rather as a sign he narrates the miracle itself, and speaks as its Evangelist.
“And having seen him,” it says, “all that dwelt in Lydda, and Saron, turned unto the Lord.— Now there was at Joppa,” etc. (<!--<span class="stiki"></span>-->v. 35, 36.) Observe everywhere the signs taking place. But let us so believe them, as if we were now beholding them. It is not simply said, that Tabitha died, but that she died, having been in a state of weakness. And (yet) they did not call Peter until she died; then “they sent and told him not to delay to come unto them.”
Observe, they send and call him by others. And he comes: he did not think it a piece of disrespect, to be summoned by two men: for, it says, “they sent two men unto him.”— Affliction, my beloved, is a great thing, and rivets our souls together. Not a word of wailing there, nor of mourning. See how thoroughly matters are cleansed! “Having washed her,” it says, “they laid her in an upper chamber:” that is, they did all (that was right) for the dead body. Then Peter having come, “knelt down, and prayed; and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise.” They did not perform all their miracles with the same ease.
But this was profitable for them: for truly God took thought not only for the salvation of others, but for their own. He that healed so many by his very shadow, how is it that he now has to do so much first? There are cases also in which the faith of the applicants coöperated. This is the first dead person that he raises. Observe how he, as it were, awakes her out of sleep: first she opened her eyes: then upon seeing (Peter) she sat up: then from his hand she received strength. “And it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.” Mark the gain, mark the fruit, that it was not for display. Indeed, this is why he puts them all out, imitating his Master in this also.
Source: Homilies on Acts (New Advent)