lOMoARcPSD|211266 71
Name: Darien Sanabria
BIBLE STUDY PROJECT: OBSERVATION TEMPLATE
Passage: Acts 9:36-43
III. Correlation
A. How does this passage from Acts 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 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length. It may be good to review
chapter six in Everyday Bible Study in order to recall what each of these four
themes are about.
The story of Peter and Tabitha in Acts 9:36-43 resemble the new creation theme
of the Bible metanarrative. During the scripture we read about how Tabitha
dedicated her life to merely helping those who were less fortunate. Once it was
her time to go, people of the village sent for Peter to try to help Tabitha. Once
Peter saw the Tabitha, he prayed for her to God and commanded her to “Get
up.” Tabitha then later opened her eyes and got up as she saw Peter. The reason
I say this Act can relate to the new creation is because in the village of Joppa,
there were those who were disciples of Christ while there was other who were
not. After the news of Tabitha’s resurrection got out, it quickly spread
throughout the village. After hearing the news, many started to believe in God
and became his decuples after witnessing what he is capable of. The reason I
feel as though this Act falls more underneath the new creation metanarrative is
because it seems to me like there was already so much sin and hate within the
village of Joppa, that once this amazing miracle happen from God, it really
turned the perspective of the villagers around, creating more believers in the
community. Tabitha also did not die for our sins so it is why I do not believe it
could fit within the redemption metanarrative.
lOMoARcPSD|211266 71
B. How does your principle from Acts 9:36-43 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 1 paragraph (200-300 words) in length. Be specific. List, explain, and
cite your supporting passage(s) from Scripture.
In the very beginning of the passage, we learn about the type of women Tabitha
grew up to become in Acts 9:36. “There was a believer in Joppa named
Tabitha” “She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.”
(NLT) She was a woman of faith, and she had her heart in the right place when
she died. So, when Peter came to help, God saw the type of women she was,
and decided to bring her back to life. God was with her. This can be seen again
in the scripture from a different point of view. Tabitha meant a lot to the
widows in that house, that they truly mourned for her when she was gone. “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.” Acts 9:39
(NLT) They also were believers of God, hence why they sent looking for Peter.
God was with those widows too when he resurrected Tabitha because she has
left such an impact on those around her, that God sent her back to them.
C. How does this passage from Acts 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 1
paragraph (200-300 words) in length. Be specific. List, explain, and cite your
supporting passage(s) from Scripture.
I think that the acts from the characters in this passage reflect the selflessness in
Jesus Christ. Starting with Tabitha in the very beginning of the passage. “She
was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.” (NLT) Just as
Jesus Christ really came down to this earth to give his life for us is the prime
definition of a selfless person. Tabitha in this passage can be identified as being
a selfless lady for dedicating her final years helping the poor. As Peter is later
introduced in this passage, he too begins to show his selfness acts by leaving
lOMoARcPSD|211266 71
what he was doing and following these two men from Lydda to Joppa. Once
Peter arrived, he was greeted by all the weeping widows showing him the kind
acts Tabitha did for them. Within Peter’s ideology, I am sure he came to the
conclusions that what he does will really help out those in that room. So, after
asking everyone to leave him be with Tabitha, his prayers had to really be pure
for God to listen, and I am sure God knew that Peter was being sincere with his
prayer, reason why he also granted his prayer.
