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Name: Ivan Lantan
B
IBLE
S
TUDY
P
ROJECT
: O
BSERVATION
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). Highlight the correct answer.
o 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 – In both translations a disciple named Tabitha is noted as being known
for her good deeds and charitable work in her community.
2. Similarity – In both translations it was illustrated that when she died her body was
cleaned and bathed. In addition, afterwards it was place in an upper room.
3. Difference – In NIV Tabitha is described as always doing good and helping the poor
and needy. In the KJB is described as full of good works and almsdeeds she did.
4. Difference – In the KJB Tabitha is introduce in the story as a “woman” to the
readers. While in the NIV Tabitha is referred to as “she”.
5. Difference - When Peter was in the room in the KJB it was stated that the widows
stood by him weeping. However, in the NIV this scene is described as the windows
being stood all around peter as they wept over Tabitha’s death.
C. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Tabitha and Peter
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
In the city of Joppa one of Jesus Christ’s and Gods disciples known as Tabitha passes
away due a sick or illness. Peter was sought out to come and see what had occurred.
Upon his arrival Peter is met by the rest of followers. Once alone he kneels down and
prayed that Tabitha would open her eyes and wake up. Within mere moments she
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opens her eyes and sees Peters who takes her hand to assist her in getting up. The
news of this miracle begins to travel all over Joppa and more begin to believe in the
Lord and his greatness.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Introduction: A women a disciple named Tabitha living in the city of Joppa.
Inciting incident: The unexpected death of Tabitha.
Rising action: The search for Peter begins so that he may be brought to Joppa.
Climax: Peter is taken to where Tabitha body is being held where he kneels and prayed
for her to come to back to life.
Falling action: The People begin to believe and recognize the power of God.
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:
•
Luke authored Acts
•
The book of acts was developed for Theophilus and the gentiles.
•
Tabitha
•
Peter
2. What:
A woman named Tabitha known for her good moral character and charitable work to
her community passes away to do to an illness.
Her body is cleaned and place in an upstairs room by the disciples in her life.
Peter is sought out after Tabitha passing the remaining disciples sent two men to
Lydda to find and bring him to Joppa.
Peter leaves with the two men at once he hears he is needed. He is then taken back to
Joppa and to the room where Tabitha’s body is laid at rest. He is then met by the
women are weeping over the loss of Tabitha. They begin to present to him with the
clothing and garments Tabitha had sewn and made while she was with them.
Peter sends them off from the room and kneels before the lord and prayed as he faces
Tabitha that she would open her eyes. In that moment her eyes open and saw peter
then she sat up he then helped her get up.
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3. Where:
•
This took place in a roman controlled port known as the city of Joppa.
•
Lydda is the neighboring city where Peter was heard to have been.
•
The upstairs bedroom in the home where Tabitha’s body was being held.
•
Joppa was located Northwest of Jerusalem.
4. When:
•
This story was written during the early church events era
•
Best estimates put this between 34 AD through 37 AD around Saul’s conversion.
5. Why:
Luke wrote Acts 9.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died
(Tabitha). Acts 9.41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had
called the saints and widows, presented her alive. Acts 9:37 And it was known
throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
6. How:
How was Tabitha known?
•
Tabitha was known for her generosity and the good person that she was.
How did Tabitha die?
•
She passed due to being ill.
How was she resurrected?
•
Tabitha was brought back to life through the miracle of prayer that was performed
by Peter.
How did Peter know prayer would work to bring Tabitha back?
•
Peter didn’t know it would bring her back all he did was put his unshaken faith in
God hands and ask simply that she would open her eyes.
How did the people of Joppa learn of this miracle that had occurred?
•
It was learned through the whisper and gossip from one the another the rumors of
her resurrection spread fast and far.
•
In addition, people witnessing her having life once more and the result was many
more now began to believe in the lord due to the divine intervention that took
place.
II. Interpretation
A. Summarize: I believe what the author attempted to convey was that lord can and may
intervene and show his greatness should he chose and want to. All that it took was for
Peter to stand firm in his belief and faith with that he chose to trust that prayer could
assist him in his hour of need for a miracle. He did so without giving it a second
thought the moment he was alone it was the first action he took. Death is by far the
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most finite thing that may occur within humanity death is known as inevitable and
irreversible. This is seen by the widows as they wept over the death and loss of their
sister. Their grief represents what we know which is that death is the final step of life
and there is no return from it. In the passage you can also see that the widows were
not as firm in their faith as Peter is, he saw them weeping but he himself did not but
rather use this moment to show the disciples and the gentiles of what Lord is capable
of. He did not illicit fear as those that were in the room that felt they had lost Tabitha
for all time. He on the other hand embraced his faith and the Lord willfully. His
spoken words were heard all through the heavens to our father himself and Tabitha
had awoken as though she was just sleeping for a short time.
B. Identify: We should not fear for we walk in the light of Jesus Christs and the Lord. If
one should keep and hold strong with the faith in the Lord, there is always hope that a
miracle (giving life back) may occur inexplicably. When it is believed that all is lost,
we need only to trust and let our faith guide towards where we are meant to be.
C. Check: The Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary (1893) illustrate Tabitha also known
as (Dorcas) a female antelope, or gazelle, a pious Christian widow at Joppa whom
Peter restored to life (Acts 9:36–41). She was a Hellenistic Jewess, called Tabitha by
the Jews and Dorcas by the Greeks.
III. Correlation
A. Acts 9:36-43 Is the story of a disciple who walk-in kindness and love as God had
imagine and wanted us to be. She was living such a life god himself would have done.
However, this woman met her end not because the Lord design it in that fashion but
rather because the deceiver of lies and deceit brought upon her illness and sickness.
The lord is the birthplace and source of life this story is about redemption. To bring
something back that is lost through the payment of a ramson (Easton, 1893). The
ransom paid was Peters unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the Lord. God worked
through Peter to resurrect Dorcas reason being was that he was not yet done with
Tabitha because he was also working through her as well. Her life was deemed
valuable by God. The Lord values and puts emphasis on people who people who act
in love, selflessness, and kindness. The action committed out of love and kindness to
those less fortunate is manifestation of the Holy spirit. Therefore, God used his
servant peter to give Tabitha life once again to continue her good work.
B. Miracles can be described as something that occurs that is humanly unexplainable.
The only explanation that can be use is that God himself intervened provided the act
of a miracle. This can be seen by many different individual or leaders found
throughout scripture God work through them to perform miracles. Mark 5:21-24
states “And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd
gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the
synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him
earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your
hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 (ESV). We can find
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numerous instances like this throughout scripture where God use his divine power
through his prophet, servants, and disciples to perform a miracle.
C. Tabitha is person who served Christ and the image he had of us. This story in Acts
mirrors the life of Jesus Christ. This is the life a Christian should be living in society
today. When we live in Christ to give unto other is simple and a small feat that travels
a long way if we give our life to the wellbeing of others then we all prosper. Jesus
Christ gave without the thought of return all he wanted was to act and perform to the
will of his Father and Tabitha can be seem in the same similar fashion.
IV. Application
A. The question of duty
Tabitha acted with no regard of being rewarded for her efforts she did so out the
kindness and love in her heart. However, she was not bound by duty but rather out of
sheer selflessness. Christians of today would well to note that we should provide with
the thought of giving to give but rather do it of the kindness of their hearts and love of
others. In addition, to give willingly is to give without the thought of receiving
something in return we should always strive and desire to do good or else it loses
value. We shouldn’t do good because if we do we know God will grant us as righteous
no we should do it because we want to and that’s all and nothing more.
B. The question of character
Tabitha had a strong moral character we see this by the way she is illustrated in Acts
9:36-43. In both NIV and KJV she is described as full of good and helping the poor.
That means she always cared more of others than herself. Even in her sick days she
provided to others not because it was the right thing to do. Instead, it was due to
knowing there were other people out there who were more in need than she was. Even
the Lord in heavens took notice of Tabitha work so much so that he granted life once
more. Society today would be a much better place if there were more people with
Tabitha’s characters in it. However, I see this as far and few in between and I am
guilty of this myself I give to other but nowhere to the extent of Tabitha’s doing. Why
you ask because I think of myself and my family first and foremost then if I can give, I
do just not as often as I would like. Human beings today I find think inward and
always out for themselves. I need to think more outward than inward to better develop
a love thy neighbor mentality.
C. The question of goals
Peters’ immense faith illustrated that he was not shaken by the fear or anxiety of
helplessness that could have gripped him in that moment. His faith in assisted him in
his resolution in resurrecting Tabitha. If I can be this strong in my faith in Jesus Christ
and the lord, there is no goal that I cannot attain. Often, I find myself in difficult
situation and my anxiety can get the better of me I should attempt to trust more that
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Gods plan for me is unraveling as it should. My desire to be a good person and assist
others is what has brought me down this path in seeking to become a social worker. I
want to assist those that feel they have no voice or that no one is listening I want to be
that voice I will listen so I can make a change even if is a small change. My goal I
think falls on par with scripture to help those that need it and without a thought of
being paid back for it. Honestly, I felt I stumbled into this career field or maybe I
didn’t, and it was what the Lord has called me to do interesting notion for me now
having thought it. I want to do this because I want to help improve lives.
D. The question of discernment
Scripture is learning what God wants of his children although his reasoning is not
given plainly all the time. It takes time to understand the hidden meaning behind each
passage or story. This story represented to me that his power is great and just because I
haven’t seen personally does not mean it does not exist. Deep down I know right from
wrong. What took place was that Gods power was at work and it occurred because a
good person died which was wrong. So, God use his servant to the right wrong that
had taken place. To use discernment is to use good judgment and I do fail in that
regard I am aligning myself with the viewpoint of God (Cartwright & Hulshof 2019).
Reference
John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press,
2012, 2016), Ac 9:36.
John Cartwright and Chris Hulshof, Everyday Bible Study: Growing in the Christian Faith Links
to an external site., ed. Gabriel Etzel and Ben Gutierrez, 2nd edition., Everyday Bible
Series (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2019)
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography,
Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893), 202.
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/
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called
Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did
The Holy Bible: King James Version (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ac
9:36). (2009). Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version.
(Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ac 9:36.
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