Aeneas is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. His account is brief but significant, illustrating the power of Jesus Christ working through the apostles in the early Church. Aeneas is a testament to the miraculous healings that accompanied the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the Christian faith.

Biblical Account

The account of Aeneas is found in Acts 9:32-35. The Apostle Peter, traveling through the region to visit the believers, arrives in the town of Lydda. There, he encounters Aeneas, a man who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis. The Scripture states:

"As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 'Aeneas,' Peter said to him, 'Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and put away your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up, and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (Acts 9:32-35)

Significance

The healing of Aeneas is significant for several reasons:

1. Demonstration of Apostolic Authority: The miracle performed by Peter serves as a demonstration of the authority given to the apostles by Jesus Christ. It confirms the continuation of Jesus' healing ministry through His disciples, as promised in passages like Mark 16:17-18.

2. Validation of the Gospel Message: The miraculous healing acts as a validation of the Gospel message. The immediate and complete healing of Aeneas leads to a turning of hearts in Lydda and Sharon, as many witnesses come to faith in the Lord. This aligns with the purpose of miracles in the New Testament, which often serve to authenticate the message of Christ and draw people to faith.

3. Symbol of Spiritual Restoration: Aeneas' physical healing can also be seen as a symbol of spiritual restoration. Just as Aeneas was raised from his paralysis, so too are believers raised from spiritual death and paralysis by the power of Christ. This miracle serves as a metaphor for the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of individuals.

4. Encouragement to the Early Church: The account of Aeneas would have been an encouragement to the early Church, affirming that the same power that worked through Jesus was now at work through His apostles. It reinforced the belief that Jesus was alive and active, continuing His work through His followers.

Historical and Cultural Context

Lydda, where Aeneas was healed, was a town located in the coastal plain of Sharon, about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was a significant location due to its position on the trade route between Egypt and Syria. The presence of a Christian community in Lydda indicates the spread of Christianity beyond Jerusalem and into the surrounding regions, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Theological Implications

The healing of Aeneas underscores the central Christian belief in the power of Jesus' name. Peter's declaration, "Jesus Christ heals you," emphasizes that the source of healing and authority is not in the apostles themselves but in Jesus Christ. This reflects the early Church's understanding of Jesus as the risen Lord, whose power transcends physical limitations and whose authority extends over all creation.

In summary, Aeneas' account, though brief, is a powerful testament to the early Church's mission, the authority of the apostles, and the transformative power of the Gospel. It serves as a reminder of the continued presence and work of Jesus Christ through His followers.Aeneas

praised; praiseworthy

Aeneas

(laudble), a paralytic at Lydda healed by St. Peter. (Acts 9:33,34)

AENEAS

e-ne'-as ('Aineas): A paralytic at Lydda, who, after he "had kept his bed eight years," was miraculously healed by Peter (Acts 9:33, 34).

132. Aineas -- Aeneas, a paralytic cured by Peter
... Aeneas, a paralytic cured by Peter. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Aineas Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-neh'-as) Short Definition: Aeneas Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/132.htm - 6k

But Why did I So Much Hate the Greek...
... power of reading what I find written, and myself writing what I will; whereas in
the others, I was forced to learn the wanderings of one Aeneas, forgetful of ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiii but why did.htm

Copies of Christ's Manner
... COPIES OF CHRIST'S MANNER. 'And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed....40. But Peter ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/copies of christs manner.htm

The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... Taking ship, like Father Aeneas of old, he and his attendant Squire traversed the
Mediterranean Sea, only he sailed eastward, while the pious Aeneas sailed ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter seven the adventures of.htm

A Seeker for Truth
... Here he healed Aeneas, who for eight years had been confined to his bed
with palsy. "Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole," the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 14 a seeker for.htm

Concerning the Revolt of the Trachonites; How Sylleus Accused ...
... Now it came to pass that Obodas was dead; and Aeneas, whose name was afterward changed
to Aretas, [12] took the government, for Sylleus endeavored by calumnies ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the revolt.htm

Book one in God's Searching Presence, Augustine Undertakes to ...
... In the other subjects, however, I was compelled to learn about the wanderings of
a certain Aeneas, oblivious of my own wanderings, and to weep for Dido dead ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book one in gods searching.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... It was at Lydda, thirty-two Roman miles from Jerusalem, that Aeneas was miraculously
healed, and "nigh" to it"within a few miles"was Joppa, where the ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... 2. Philip witnesses in Samaria and Judea, 8:5-40. 3. The Lord wins new witnesses,
9:1-11:18. (1) Saul. (2) Aeneas, etc. (3) Dorcas, Mary, etc. (4) Cornelius. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xix from the ascension.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... With one hand she felt her jewelled hair, with the other she beckoned to him. The
young men approached her. "Children of Aeneas, I give you welcome," said she. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, or Appealed To, by ...
... himself, particularly the cure of the lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts
3:1), the death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1), the cure of Aeneas (Acts 9:34 ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter v that the christian.htm

Aeneas (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AENEAS. e-ne'-as ('Aineas): A ... 33, 34).
Multi-Version Concordance Aeneas (2 Occurrences). Acts 9:33 ...
/a/aeneas.htm - 7k

Aene'as (2 Occurrences)
... Aeneas, Aene'as. Aenon . ... Acts 9:33 and he found there a certain man, Aeneas
by name -- for eight years laid upon a couch -- who was paralytic, (See RSV). ...
/a/aene'as.htm - 6k

Eneas (2 Occurrences)
... Eneas (2 Occurrences). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who
had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. ...
/e/eneas.htm - 6k

Aretas (1 Occurrence)
... 3. Aeneas: The successor of Obodas was apparently surnamed Aeneas and this is the
Arabian king who figures in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 11:32; compare ...
/a/aretas.htm - 11k

Palsy (12 Occurrences)
... Miraculous cures by our Lord are related in general terms, as in Matthew 4:24 Acts
8:7. Aeneas (Acts 9:33) was probably a paralytic eight years bedridden. ...
/p/palsy.htm - 12k

Couch (55 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Acts 9:33 And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been
lying for eight years upon a couch, who was paralysed. (DBY YLT). ...
/c/couch.htm - 25k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had
been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Lydda (3 Occurrences)
... A town in the tribe of Ephraim, mentioned only in the New Testament (Acts 9:32,
35, 38) as the scene of Peter's miracle in healing the paralytic AEneas. ...
/l/lydda.htm - 11k

Eight (81 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 9:33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been
bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. (WEB ...
/e/eight.htm - 31k

Dorcas (3 Occurrences)
... girls. Her restoration to life by Peter is recorded. At the time of her
death Peter was in Lydda where he had healed Aeneas. Being ...
/d/dorcas.htm - 9k

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