28. So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord's name.
29. He talked and argued with Jews who followed Greek practices. But they tried to kill him.
30. The other believers heard about this. They took Saul down to Caesarea. From there they sent him off to Tarsus.
31. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The Holy Spirit gave the church strength and boldness. So they grew in numbers. And they worshiped the Lord.
32. As Peter traveled around the country, he went to visit God's people in Lydda.
33. There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed.
34. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Take care of your mat!" So Aeneas got up right away.
35. Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.
36. In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language was Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people.
37. About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs.
38. Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, "Please come at once!"
39. Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made while she was still alive.
40. Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.
41. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive.