lOMoARcPSD|211266 71
BIBL 104
Name: Ivan Lantan
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: INTERPRETATION TEMPLATE
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. Remember
two things. First, this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage
is both showing and telling us something. Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our”
are application words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be used in your
answer for this question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.”
We were not there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the
application or how we will respond to God’s Word.
The written passage tells of a story which had taken place long ago in a city named Joppa
where a believer and disciple lived. Her name was Tabitha, but she was also known as Dorcas
(NIV, ESV). Acts 9:36-43 illustrate her role as a kindhearted person who was full of good deeds
and charitable works. Then she had become ill and succumbed to her illness and passed away.
The remaining disciples had overheard that peter was at a nearby city called Lydda. They sent
two men to get peter and bring him to where Tabitha’s body was being held. There Peter has a
moment alone with Tabitha where he simply asked, that Tabitha open her eyes. What then took
place was Tabitha had awoken up and peter helped her stand up. She then left room her and the
other disciples witnessed the miracle of God’s grace before their very eyes. Through the miracle
that occurred with Tabitha her story inundated the rest of the people of Joppa. Thus, bringing
them into God’s grace and they began believing in the almighty lord and his divined power.
There what is shown is that God can and may prevail over what is deemed as irreversible death
he can grant life where there once was death. In addition, that in moments when it seems that all
may be lost, hopeless, and frightful. There is but still hope if only one has the courage to stand
their ground in their belief in Jesus Christ and the Lord as Peter stood. Then what may be not at
all possible now is deemed as plausible if one only but looks toward Christ and the heavenly
father. There is also a significance in when peter Knelt down this is him representing his
submission willfully and completely to the Lord. There in that moment it is seen as him giving
Tabitha life once more. However, that is not case this is an illustration of his connection with
God and God working through his children to bring about a miracle that was necessary to right a
wrong. Then there is Tabitha working Gods will this is viewed through her
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. Please remember that words like
“I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our” are application words and not interpretation words.
One concept clearly expressed in the passage is standing strong in trust and faith in God their
relationship. No matter the circumstance, if you have an unshaken faith and trust in the almighty
Lord even when it all seems dark and lost then you may witness a miracle. Peter was not shaken
nor was he fearful because he was full of hope and trust in God because of this dedication to God
Page 1 of 2
lOMoARcPSD|211266 71
BIBL 104
he was able to give life again where it was once lost. This then brought upon many new
followers into Gods grace.
C. Check: Consult at least one scholarly resource in order 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 in order 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 in order to access academic and scholarly resources. The research guide
can be found by following the link below:
Peter illustrated how unyielding he stood in his faith and his relationship with God upon the
widow’s departure from the room with Tabitha. Peter did not pace around with concern over
what he was witnessing because he knew the answer lied not with the actions of a man but rather
it rested in the hands of God. In that moment he took a leap forward and trusted Gods will. There
what occurred was God working through him all he did was speak the word “open your eyes”.
According to Zondervan illustrated Bible dictionary (2011) “Peter had preached salvation is
found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be
saved”. In other words, He understood that man does not have the power of providing salvation
nor the means to restore life this is a feat only God is able to overcome. In addition, Peter
understood that her salvation from death was not going to come from his hand nor any other
person he knew but rather her salvation if given would come from God himself. Therefore, he
trusted his faith with certainty and without hesitation that is why in that moment he directly faced
Tabitha kneeled and prayed before God He had merely just spoken the words. Thus, he was a
conduit of the lord’s will and power which returned to her what she had lost and that was life
itself.
Reference
Douglas, Tenney, M. C., Silva, M., Douglas, J. D. (James D., & Tenney, M. C. (Merrill C.
(2011). Zondervan illustrated Bible dictionary ([Rev. ed.].). Zondervan.
Mark 5:21-24 ESV - - Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2022, from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2B5%3A21-
24%2B&version=ESV
New International Version (NIV) - version information - biblegateway.com. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 1, 2022, from https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/new-international-
version-niv-bible/
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version.
(Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ac 9:36.
https://libguides.liberty.edu/c.php?g=564126&p=3884087
Page 2 of 2
