Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Women of the Bible - Tabitha (Dorcas)

Acts 9:36-41 (NLT) 


Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas - both names mean “gazelle.”) She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.   Tabitha became ill and died and her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room.   The believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him to come as soon as possible, so Peter returned with them and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.    Peter asked them all to leave the room, then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, "Get up, Tabitha", and she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up and he gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.


Conclusion:
Often when we read the word “disciple” in the New Testament we think of the 12 disciples of Jesus, or we think of men....but a disciple was a follower of Jesus, whether man or woman.  The first thing pointed out about Tabitha in scripture....was that she was a  "disciple" (KJV), or a "believer" (NLT).  She was a Christian....not because she did good works and charitable deeds....but rather, she did good works and charitable deeds because she was a Christian.  This is a very important distinction. It is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the things we do, saying it's for HIM....but the most important thing we MUST do is to be sure of our true faith in Christ, and then renew that faith each day as we fellowship with the Lord through Bible reading and prayer.


Happy Tuesday, Sweet Reader!!!


In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

1 comment:

  1. Your good deeds certainly profess your faith. You are an inspiring woman!

    ReplyDelete

Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24