Tabitha

by Wayne Blank

Tabitha, in Greek Dorcas, meaning a gazelle, was one of the saints (see What Is A Saint? and What Is The Church?) at Joppa (shown in the photograph). She was known for her "good works and acts of charity" (Acts 9:36, see also Believers). When Tabitha became ill and died, the other disciples in Joppa who knew her as a beloved friend and neighbor called for Peter, because he was nearby - they could have called any of the apostles (or even someone already among them, if they had enough faith) because it's the Holy Spirit that does the miracles, not the person, as Peter said himself (e.g. Acts 3:12). Peter arrived, put everyone outside of the room (their weeping and wailing, although appropriate in their grief, would have been very distracting), prayed, and knew that the miracle would happen, according to God's will - the purpose of God's allowing Tabitha to suffer and die in the first place, and then be brought back to this life, may perhaps be explained by the beneficial result that it had for the Gospel: "it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord." (Acts 9:42 RSV)

The Re-Awakening Of Tabitha

Joppa / Jaffa

"Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity."
"In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay."
"So Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them."
"But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive."
"And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner." (see Simon The Tanner) (Acts 9:36-43 RSV)

Fact Finder: (a) Since she was merely brought back to the physical life that she already had, did Tabitha die again later? (b) Tabitha was a disciple, and a repentant Believer, and therefore very likely one of the Elect, so will she be resurrected to spirit at The Return Of Jesus Christ?
(a) See Resurrections (b) See The Elect

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