What does Acts 9:35 mean?

Peter is in the town of Lydda, 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. In the name of Jesus, he has healed a man there named Aeneas who had been confined to bed with paralysis for eight years. God gives the apostles the ability to perform miracles to authenticate them so people would know their message is from God. It works: the people of Lydda and Sharon accept Peter's words about Jesus, and they are saved (Acts 9:32–34).

Sharon is a plain between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea from Lydda northward to around Caesarea. Lydda is called Lod in the Old Testament and today; it is about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem and 9 miles southeast of modern-day Tel Aviv. It's very likely Philip visited Lydda on his trek between Azotus and Caesarea (Acts 8:40).

From Lydda, Peter will go to Joppa, modern-day Jaffa. There, he will bring a disciple named Tabitha back to life (Acts 9:36–43). While Peter is staying with a tanner named Simon, messengers will come from Caesarea, about 40 miles north. A Roman centurion, a devout follower of the Jewish God, wants to know more about the God he worships. Peter will come to his house and share Jesus' story. While Peter is still speaking, the Holy Spirit will come on Cornelius, his family, his servants, and the friends who have come to listen. Without Peter laying hands on them or baptizing them, a large group of Gentiles will be saved (Acts 10). God's promise to Abraham, that his descendant would bless the world, will come true (Genesis 22:18). Peter will be stunned. The other church leaders will be incredulous (Acts 11:1–18). And the way will be paved for the apostle Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.