BIBL 104
Name: Caitlyn Thompson
BIBLE S P : ITUDY ROJECT NTERPRETATION EMPLATE T
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
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 authors main point in Acts 9:36-43 is to show how God can heal if you truly believe and
pray. It also shows that a person who does good work or acts of charity out of the goodness of
their heart, would be blessed by the Lord. Acts 9:36 states “There was a disciple named Tabitha
who was full of good works and acts of charity.” Because Tabitha was a good person but fell ill
and died, two men went to Lydda and retrieved Peter. Act 9:39 tells that when Peter arrived “All
the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments Tabitha made.”
After sending everyone out of the room, Peter knelt and prayed for Tabitha. It was obvious that
Tabitha was a disciple of Christ, not just because of the clothes she made, but she would put
other people before herself. Her “good works” helped the widows, and they show how much
they care for her by finding Peter. After Peter prayed for her, she opened her eyes. This shows
that God was not finished with Tabitha, and she would continue her good works. In Acts 9: 42
because of Tabitha being a disciple of the Lord and showing her faith in him, the people in Joppa
then also became believers of the Lord.
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.
People who dedicate their life to the Lord, do kind things for others, and practice charity will be
rewarded by God. An example of this is how Acts 9 details Tabitha’s life of good works and
when she becomes ill and dies, God rewards her by sending Peter to her and bringing her back.
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BIBL 104
C. Check: Consult at least one scholarly resource to offer support for the principle that you
believe the passage is teaching. In 1-2 paragraphs (200-400 words), cite and interact with
this scholarly resource to demonstrate that it supports your interpretive conclusion. Please
consult the “Commentaries” as well as the “Bible Dictionaries & Handbooks” tabs found
on the research guide provided by the Jerry Falwell Library to access academic and
scholarly resources. The research guide can be found by following the link below:
https://libguides.liberty.edu/c.php?g=564126&p=3884087
The Baker illustrated Bible handbook states that “we serve a perfect God who is faithful
to work through real people and real situations to accomplish his glorious purposes.” We
see how God does this in Acts 9 through Tabitha. God acts through Peter to save Tabitha
and she can continue spreading the word of the Lord to the people. This matches up with
the principle I believe which is if you live your life for the Lord, he will bless you. Acts
shows the power of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus announces that the Spirit will come as a
parakletos which means “helper” or “counselor”. We are shown the Holy Spirit at work
when He speaks to the two men to find Peter and then again when Peter knelt and prayed
for Tabitha, and she awakes.
Citation:
Wilson, M. W. (2011). The book of acts and letters of Paul. In J. Duvall, & J.
Hays, . Baker Publishing Group. Credo The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook
Reference: https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https%3A%2F
%2Fsearch.credoreference.com%2Fcontent%2Fentry%2Fbpgbb
%2Fthe_book_of_acts_and_letters_of_paul%2F1%3FinstitutionId%3D5072
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