nt for Peter, who when he was come was brought into the upper
chamber: "and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats
and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 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. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up: and when he had called
the saints and the widows, presented her alive. And it was known
throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord." This was when the
church was the light of the world; when the whole pure gospel was preached
for the gospel's sake, and men lived humbly before God, and were workers
together with him.

Paul escaping the waves was cast upon the island of Melita. He says, "The
barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire,
and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the
cold." And when he had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the
fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And
when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said
among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath
escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. Acts 28:1-4. Now was
the promise given in the commission to prove true? Jesus said, "They shall
take up serpents." Here Paul had taken one up. Should he trust in the
promise of the Savior, or resort to some antidote? It is said, He shook
off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. The natives were astonished
and God was glorified. Had Paul sought and obtained relief by medical
means, whatever brought the relief would have been worthy the praise. He
was living solely for the glory of God, and by trusting in God and God
protecting him it was thus that God was glorified.

The "gifts of healing" were placed in the church. See 1 Cor. 12:28. As
late as the year 60 A.D., twenty-seven years after the Lord had ascended,
James tells us what to do when sick. He says, "Is any among you afflicted?
let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you?
let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith
shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have
committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." Jas. 5:13-15.

Thus the Lord worked in