Dorcas the Disciple

02/15/2020

I wanted to discuss as detailed as possible the accounts of Dorcas' life as given in the book of Acts. Scripture is pretty straightforward about what happened to her, though it doesn't detail her whole life. I appreciate the assortment of people the Bible presents, especially the New Testament believers who we must learn from in maturing in our faith. It's best if you read the account for yourself :)

Dorcas Restored to Life (Acts 9:36-42, NKJV)

36 At Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated, Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.

37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.

38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

A few notes

• Dorcas is the Greek translation for the Aramaic name Tabitha which means "graceful" or "gazelle".

• "Full of good works and charitable deeds" suggests to me that was her lifestyle. Consider 1 Corinthians 7 where Paul addresses the subject matter of marriage and status. Her marital status is not referenced but she could have been single (never married) or widowed. She exemplified a woman whose interest was undivided, wholly concerned about the Lord's affairs and devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit (1 Corinthians 7:34). She lived a life full of service to others. She made garments for widows as the text states and most likely could have cared for orphans, housed and fed the poor, and extended hospitality to those around her.

• I won't focus much on her sickness and death but on her resurrection that allowed for many more to believe in the Lord. Her life, death, and resurrection were all a testimony to the power of God through Jesus Christ!

Conclusion

In this day and age, the "modern" woman has many goals driven by the idol of self-actualization. My walk with Christ has enabled me to see how very self-absorbed I was and could be in this area, in both the subtle and overt ways. It so happens that the more you grow in Christ, the more you realize how truly you need saving from culture, lies, sin, and self. Today, women like Dorcas are those from whom I draw inspiration--women whose whole lives were not centered on self but on caring for those who were near and dear God's heart. That is not to say such women were slaves to others but rather, they were aware that love for themselves came from their God-given identity and purpose. There was no need to search for that elsewhere, and so, being filled with that poured out to their neighbor in the excess of what God had placed in them as Creator. Dorcas modeled after Christ who "...went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him..." (Acts 10:38). I hope you are inspired like I am to live a lifestyle full of good works and charitable deeds in service to King Jesus!