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Ten New Testament Characters
Study 7 DORCAS: FULL OF GOOD WORKS
The story of Dorcas, which forms the subject of this study, has been an inspiration to thousands. It is packed full of valuable lessons, all of which are important and some of which need particular emphasis in these days. Dorcas lived in Joppa, a town situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, which at that time was the chief seaport of Palestine compare Jonah 1:3 and Acts 10:5-8. There was a Christian church at Joppa, and it is possible that the believers met for worship in Dorcas' home, which in those early days was the custom look up Acts 12:12 and Romans 16:5. 1. Notice the significance of her name. Verse 36 tells us that her name in Aramaic was Tabitha, but in Greek it was Dorcas, which means "antelope" or "gazelle" a very graceful animal! One writer says that "her name stands in the Bible as the symbol of Naphtali (Genesis 49:21), the giver of goodly words; then as panting after the water brooks, seeking everything in God (Psalm 42:1); and as nimble of foot (2 Samuel 2:18); and so, leaping (Isaiah 35:6); expressive too of tender love (Proverbs 5:19); of beauty of form (Song of Solomon 2:9); and as fruitful through the voice of Jehovah (Psalm 29:9)." Ponder this! Our lives should be gazelle-like graceful look up Acts 4:33 and 11:23, and compare John 1:14. 2. Notice that Dorcas is spoken of as a disciple. Look at verse 36 "a disciple". The name disciple was applied to the early followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, and any concordance will show how frequently it is used in the gospels and the Book of Acts. But what is a disciple? A learner. A disciple of Jesus is one who sits at His feet and learns of Him look up Luke 10:38-42 and Matthew 11:29. In the way which the word was used, a disciple meant a Christian, as we learn from Acts 11:26 and many other references. But today there are many Christians who are not in the true, practical sense of the word disciples. To be a real disciple means to accept the Lord's authority, His lordship, His discipline and to do His will. You are a believer but are you a disciple? 3. Notice that Dorcas devoted her life to doing good deeds. Verse 36 tells us that she "was always doing good and helping the poor." She was a doer, not just a talker! And in verse 39 we are told about the particular ministry which occupied so much of her time "she made robes and other clothing " A needle is a very small thing, and the ability to use it is fairly common today, but here is a ministry that is most acceptable to the Lord and that has brought much comfort and relief to His children. Take note that Dorcas was a lady who was full of good works and here is a most needful lesson. No one can ever be saved by works, as we learn from Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:5; but the obligation of every saved person is to be like Dorcas, to do good works; look up Ephesians 2:10. Compare the following two faithful sayings: the first stresses that salvation is given to us apart from works, but the second emphasises that the result and evidence and the outflow of being saved is doing good works look up 1 Timothy 1:15 and Titus 3:8. Read James 2:14-26, and especially notice the last verse. And ladies, the best adorning is mentioned in 1 Timothy 2:9-10. We all need to be Titus 2:14! 4. Notice the variety of ministries in operation in the work of the church. When Dorcas died we read that:
5. Then Peter prayed the prayer of faith, and Dorcas was raised from the dead. His approach to this whole situation is most instructive; it provides us with a lesson on how to seek the restoration of dead souls, of those who are "dead in transgressions and sins" look up Ephesians 2:1.
6. All that happened turned out for the glory of God in the extension of His kingdom. Look at verse 42. Yes, many believed, so it was worth while for Dorcas to be ill, to die and to be raised again! The things which happened to her turned out for the furtherance of the gospel look up Philippians 1:12. |