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o
Name: Jessikia Westmoland
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
A. I have read Acts 9:36-43 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV).
Yes
o No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2 similarities
and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story. You may list as many
similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the minimum amount.
1. Similarity – Both translations state that Tabitha also known as Dorcas, was a
disciple who was always doing good deeds and helping the less fortunate.
2. Similarity – The similarities in both passages tell the reader that Peter said, “Tabitha
Arise.” and her eyes opened.
3. Difference – Tabitha's actual name is Dorcas which translates by Greek according
to the NIV version, whereas the KJV does not give a language as to which her name
translates.
4. Difference - In the NIV version, the two men who went to find Peter said, “Please
come at once!” However, the KJV says that the two men wanted or “desired” him
that he would not delay coming to them
5. Difference - Tabitha arose and the KJV states that Peter called unto all the widows
and saints.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters:
Tabitha, Peter, widows
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2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Dorcas or Tabitha was always doing good works and helping the needy. Suddenly she
became ill and passed away. Peter was in town and two men were sent to look for
him. Peter where is found and when he finally made it the widows were standing
close to Tabatha's body and were weeping and when they saw Peter, they began to
show him all the things that she had made. Peter knelt down beside her and began to
pray four her and over her and then said “Tabatha, arise.” Peter then called into the
town and the believers and all to see and they all believed on the Lord.
3. Story structure:
Introduction: Tabatha makes garments for the widows and the poor.
Inciting Incident: Tabatha translated as Dorcas suddenly becomes ill.
Rising Action: Tabatha passes away.
Climax: the two disciples found Peter easily because he was already close to town. Peter
kneels near Tabitha's body, and prays over her, and commands her to arise from the dead.
Falling Action: all of the people are called to come witness Tabitha's resurrection.
Resolution: many people of the town who witnessed Tabitha's resurrection believed on
the Lord.
D. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the
Gospels in Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,”
“what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” Please be detailed and specific.
1. Who:
Tabitha/Dorcas
The believers of the town and widows
The two men who sought after Peter
Simon the Tanner
Peter
The author of the story who is Luke
The audience/reader
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Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:29:57
--------------------------------------------
I believe this was a resuscitation. A
characteristic of resurrection as opposed to
resuscitation is that it is permanent. It
can't be undone. Once you're
resurrected, you'll live forever. This is
why most of the incidents in the Bible
in which people were brought back to
life were simply “resuscitation.” The
exception was the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:31:43
--------------------------------------------
Also: • Theophilus
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2. What:
In the town of Joppa, Tabitha makes garments for the widows and poor.
Suddenly Tabitha becomes ill and passes away. She was then cleansed and laid in
an upper room.
Two men are sent to go look for Peter in the town of Joppa.
When Peter is found and notified, he goes to her body, kneels, and prays over her,
and commands are to rise from the dead.
Peter then calls all of the people to witness Tabitha arising from the dead.
The townspeople that witnessed this event God saved and many believed on the
Lord.
3. Where:
Israel
Tabatha's home
4. When:
The book of Acts was written around A.D. 62
5. Why:
In Acts 9 verse 42 this passage states and it was known throughout all Joppa, and
many believed on the Lord, this indicates that Tabitha dies so that people would
come to having knowledge of the Lord and being saved through him. Her death
and resurrection made believers out of the townspeople.
6. How:
By God's good grace and his plan for each and every one of us.
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Lydda
Joppa
Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:36:58
--------------------------------------------
Again, the intention of this exercise
is to have the student find “how”
questions and answers in the
scriptural text, e.g., Q. How was
Tabitha a disciple? A. She was
“always doing good works and acts
of charity.” Q. How did Peter know of
Tabitha’s death and her need of
resuscitation? A. Tabitha’s friends,
who were disciples, heard of Peter
being in Lydda, which was close by,
and sent two men to urge him to
come to Joppa, to Tabitha. Q. How
did the people of Joppa respond to
the news of Tabitha’s resuscitation?
A. They spread the news of her
resuscitation. A. Many believed in
the Lord. Q. How did Tabitha get up
Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:32:54
--------------------------------------------
Again, Peter then stayed for days with
Simon in Joppa.
Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:36:06
--------------------------------------------
• Story takes place during
Peter’s lifetime. • Most likely occurred
during the life of Paul the Apostle
and after the Ascension of Jesus. •
Between 30 AD and 70 AD.
Duane Carmody
2022-09-09 11:36:37
--------------------------------------------
The intention of this exercise is to
have the student find “why” questions
and answers in the scriptural text,
e.g., Q. Why did Tabitha die? A.
The initial answer is that she
had been ill. A. Looking further into
the story, the why behind why God
had her die was likely to bring those
people in Joppa to belief in Him. Q.
Why did Peter go with them to
Joppa? A. Peter likely cared about
and knew Dorcas as a fellow disciple
of Christ A. He knew he had the
power with Christ to raise her from
the dead Q. Why did Peter say
“arise”? A. Healings in the Bible often
took place in the form of commands
(Matt. 12:13, Luke 7:14, Matt. 9:6-7,
Acts 3:6). Peter was replicating how
he had seen Jesus heal. Peter knew
Jesus went down and defeated
death; therefore, he was able to
speak from a place of authority. Q.
Why did many believe in the Lord?
A. Tabitha’s testimony became
known through Joppa.
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II. Interpretation
A. Summarize: Determine the author's main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (200-400 words)
explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage.
The passage is very short to read but speaks volumes if one takes the time to sit down
and actually study the passage and consider all sides of the literature. The passage tells a
story of a woman who is a wonderful woman who gives back to the community helping
the poor. It sounds to me that the town was full of non-believers. So, Tabitha passes away
and Peter is sought after. Once Peter is found he makes his way to Tabitha's body and
here it shows him showing his faith by kneeling down to pray to God. After sending the
widows away he then commands Tabitha to arise, which tells me that she was also a
believer, because as soon as she was commanded to revive herself so to speak, she opens
her eyes and began to breathe again. She was alive! After reading the literature I firmly
believe that the author of this passage is showing the reader that God works in mysterious
ways, and when the non-believers came and saw that Tabitha had risen from the dead,
which made a believer out of them. This passage shows the power of God and his
abilities to work through his people.
B. Identify: Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You
should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
I believe the main principle from this passage is that we need to be more like Tabitha
and Peter in our belief for God. God can work his magic through any one of his people
whether it be helping the poor or commanding the dead to live.
III. Correlation
A. How does this passage from Luke's Gospel fit within the metanarrative of the Bible?
State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new
creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be at least 1
paragraph in length.
I believe this fits in with the metanarrative of the Bible because it shows how we
should live our lives. I believe this is a creation and yet a redemption story because it creates
believers within the town or new believers within the town for all that saw Tabitha alive again.
This is also a redemption passage because it restored Tabitha to life, but it also may have
restored the faith of some towns people who may have lost sight of their belief.
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B. How does your principle from Luke 10:38-42 fit with the rest of the Scripture? This
principle is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If
your principle is a true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the
Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in this New Testament narrative found
elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should be at least 1 paragraph in length.
How we as humans should live our lives on a day-to-day basis fits in with the rest of
the Bible. The principle, to be better people and help those in need, is found time and
time again throughout the Bible. When you get some free time, such examples include
Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:16, John 15:12, Matthew 5:42, Proverbs 19:17, and Proverbs
3:27 just to name a few, then lets not forget the second commandment of the Ten
Commandments “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Scofield et al., 1995)
C. How does this passage from Luke's Gospel reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State and explain at least one way that the principle of this passage identifies something
of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be at least 1 paragraph
in length.
Jesus himself was raised from the dead making believers out of all who encountered
him coming back from the dead just like the story of Elisha who prayed for the woman to
bear a son and years later, his prayers were answered. Then years thereafter, the son died.
His mother raced to find Elisha and when found much like Peter in Acts 9, he raced to the
deceased. When arriving Elisha cried out to the Lord we are told as he laid his body on
top of the deceased boys body looking him right at his eyelids, nose to nose, palm to
palm, toe to toe. The sons lifeless body began to grow warmer and warmer until he
sneezed seven times and then opened his eyes. When the sons mother saw her son alive
again, she fell to the ground and began to rejoice in the Lord and express her gratitude for
what the Lord had done. (The Holy Bible, 2 Kings 4:18-37)
IV. Application
What points of applications can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these
points should be at least 1 paragraph in length.
A. The question of duty
It appears to me that the story shows Tabitha's/Dorcas role or duty within the church.
She made clothes or garments for the poor and was a good woman. When she passed
away and Peter was sent for, as soon as he was found and came rushing back to the
widows, where Tabitha's body was lain, the widows began to show Peter the garments
that Tabitha had made. Therefore, I believe my duty should be to be involved more in my
church and always help those in need within my power.
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B. The question of character
Peter had a huge role in this story but even while Tabitha was dead, her role was vital
to this story. Afterall, this story would not have happened without her. The two of them
together lived their lives for God and even in death, (whether she knew it or not), made
herself a showcase for all to see the authority and power that caused many to believe
and/or seek in God's salvation. That's what I believe we are all called to do anyway, to
be a walking billboard to get as many people as we can to the Lord's kingdom. Now
that's a big role! As a friend once told me “Depopulating Hell by fire to populate Heaven
by grace through evangelization.”( Papafio, Richard. (n.d.))
C. The question of goals
Keep in mind, this life is suppose to be all about God and his works. He uses his
people to worship through us and fellowship, making us vessels until we are called home.
Just like in the story I believe we are also utilized to make believer's out of non-
believer's or as I previously have stated, we are to get as many people to the Kingdom of
Heaven as possible. This just makes for a better life, a better world, and it's just an easier
way of living.
D. The question of discernment
I attend church. I was brought up in church and baptized within my church at the age
of 8. My grandparents are priesthood members, and my grandpa on my mothers' side, is
the retired stake president of the church. I know if I continue to read my Bible, attend
church to acquire and keep a church family for added support, and continue to practice
my faith no matter how hard or trying times get (and trust me when I say, Like Jesus, I
have also been to prison twice, so I know what trying or some of the most difficult times
look like and they are not easy) but I have learned that the minute I stray from my
Heavenly Father, with no pun intended here, all hell breaks loose.
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Bibliography
Scofield, C. I. (1995). The Ten Commandments. In The holy bible: Containing the old and new
testaments. essay, Christian Heritage.
Papafio, Richard. (n.d.). In Why we carry what we carry. story. Retrieved September 4, 2022,
from www.sermoncentral.com
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