Tabitha/Dorcas
Acts 9:36-38 “Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did.
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
….and the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.”
Notice two things: she was a disciple….a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.
Whether she had be saved before the Lord’s death….or after, in the outflowing of the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church….it does not say.
But she was living proof of what Jesus said,….
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you. That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
….for she loved God, and others in word and action….doing all she could for those who had no one to care for them…..the widows.
(Widows were often destitute….unless they had children who would care for them, as well as their own families.)
Acts 9:39 “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
Second, she had two names…..one Hebrew, and one Greek. Both mean “gazelle, or beautiful”.
She had two names, I believe, because she ministered to any and all widows.
As a believer….she had not confined her ministry to the Hebrew widows but to others as well.
She made coats and garments for these…..things of her own hands….not a penny here, or there as if they were beggars…..but providing coverings for the cold nights, and garments for dignity.
(As Christians, we too, should provide for those we minister to…..we should cover them by our prayers, and seek for their good….not just outward, but inward blessing.)
Peter, who had just healed a man in the neighboring city (Acts 9:34 “…Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.”)…
…… was hurriedly called to come to see if he could do anything for Tabitha.
Peter had healed…….this would be resurrection from the dead in Jesus Name. Was it possible?
Peter comes, as he is called, and goes in…..not stopping to admire her good works….or grieve with their loss….
….he knew what he had to do….and did it….according to the Lord’s Will.
Acts 9:40-41 “But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body (she is still dead, at this point)
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 widows, presented her alive.”
Jesus had brought back to life, several, when He was here…..but no one had been risen from the dead since the Holy Spirit had been given on the day of Pentecost.
Yet, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ, Peter then speaks the same word as Jesus did to the ruler’s daughter (Luke 8:54-55)…”Arise”.
Because of this, there was not only joy in those widows and the believers there…..but this was a witness to Jesus Christ throughout the city…..
Acts 9:42 “And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”
We think that this happened because she was so good…..
….but it happened because those around her sought for her…..the Lord’s Will.
They might not have believed that their prayers alone would have brought her back to life…..but they believed that Peter would know what to do….so…
They called for Peter…..and Peter did just that….the Lord’s Will.
What of us?
Are we hesitating to seek in prayer, because we are not very important?
Then let us call for the One we know will do what is right…and seek His Will done in every situation.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 