In the book of Acts there is a record of a wonderful saint named Tabitha. Her giving heart and love for the less fortunate was known throughout Joppa.
Acts 9:36 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.
It is interesting to note that Tabitha was at Joppa. Joppa is a city of Palestine on the Mediterranean, lying on the border of the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. It was subject to the Jews from the times of the Maccabees. It had a famous, yet dangerous port and carried on a flourishing trade. It is now called Jaffa.
Joppa occurred several times in the bible, it was well known. It appears in Solomon's building of the temple.
NIV 2 Chronicles 2:16 and we will cut all the logs from Lebanon that you need and will float them in rafts by sea down to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem."
Interestingly enough, it's mentioned again in the rebuilding of the temple in the book of Ezra.
Ezra 3:7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Joppa is located on the seacoast, approximately ten miles beyond Lydda. This was the place where the Prophet Jonah went when he tried to flee from God (Jonah 1:1-3). Jonah went to Joppa to avoid going to Nineveh. Nineveh was inhabited by Gentiles.
Acts 10:1-6 1There was a man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Here years later Peter abiding in Joppa received his call to go to the Gentiles! However, unlike Jonah at first Peter is obedient.
The name Tabitha from the Aramaic corresponds to Hebrew word meaning "female gazelle." It was theemblem of beauty. Tabitha was known for her good works and alms deeds. Alms deeds mean "charity; donations to the poor and less fortunate." Tabitha was a wonderful giving Christian woman who was well known for how she loved God's people and was a giver. Sometimes we get the wrong impression about the things of God. Tabitha's story is recorded in the scripture. God's testimony of her was that she was a disciple, a woman full of good works and alms deeds.She didn't walk on water or part the Red Sea, however, God's opinion of Tabitha was a woman who was full of good works and alms deeds and her story is recorded so all can learn for years to come.
Acts 9:37-38 37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
There are several points that we can observe here.
First, if you read the context you will see that Peter had recently healed a man who was crippled.
Acts 9:32-35 32And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy34And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
Lydda is about 9 miles away from Joppa. The saints in Joppa knew that Peter was there. It was a good chance they knew of the healing of Aeneas also.
Acts 9:38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Another point I'd like to bring up here is that Peter was an apostle. We usually think of the apostles as leaders who tell other people what to do, men and woman who bring new light to their generation.
Here we learn some great truths regarding the ministry of an apostle. Peter was a leader who served the people and was ready to respond to their call and need. Peter had the power to heal, and he used that power to glorify God and help people, not to promote himself. This is a far cry from the way some people view an apostle. Some think an apostle is the "great I am" and should be ministered to. Nothing could be further from the truth.The greatest apostle that ever lived was Jesus Christ. Look at the Word's testimony of him.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. John 13:13-16 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
The Greek word rendered "he that is sent" in verse 16 is the word translated apostle in other places.
If you want God's truth on what an apostle is, the life of Jesus should be testimony enough.
To be continued …ÿ
Note: All scripture is from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. NIV indicates The New International Version, NLT indicates the New Living Translation, NAS indicates the New American Standard version, NKJV indicates the New King James Version, ASV means the American Standard Version, NJB means the New Jerusalem Bible, BBE means the Bible in Basic English, DBY means the Darby translation, NAU means the American Standard Version, 1995 Edition, and NAB means the New American Bible translation. For more information, go to the Works Cited page.