Extraordinary Women of the Bible
Women in The Early Years of the Church
"Dorcas"
Her Name Means: "Gazelle" ("Tabitha" Is it's equivalent). Tabitha is a Jewish name.
Her Character: The implication of her name is that she was a beautiful and graceful woman.
Her Strengths: Scripture has a body of teaching concerning the treatment of widows. The true widows in Joppa became Dorcas responsibility and they came to depend upon her.
Her Sorrow: To have suffered a grave illness.
Her Joy: To serve Jesus by serving the poor.
Pre-Story: The Scripture record of Dorcas is limited to a few verses in the ninth chapter of Acts, but her name to this day stands for the benevolent use of the needle. Her example has been an inspiration to women throughout church history.
Her Story: Dorcas lived in the town of Joppa, a city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, thirty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem. Scripture does not tell us if she was married, however she could have possibly denied herself marriage, family, and home for the sake of the Lord. She was a woman who mothered the needy, the lonely, the helpless in the church community.
Dorcas belonged to one of the earliest Christian congregations. Through the Spirit-empowered ministry of Philip the evangelist, a Christian Church was established at Joppa. Possibly Dorcas came to know Christ as her Savior in this church, and there caught the vision of how she could serve Christ with her money and her needle. Behind her sewing of garments was a saved soul She was associated with a little band of Christians, most of whom were poor. She, however, apparently was a woman of means to serve humanity as freely as she did. She became known for her acts of charity. She made garments for the poor.
The time came when Dorcas fell sick. We do not know the nature of her sickness nor the length of it, but it was serious enough to cause her death. Upon her death, the congregation knowing that Peter was near at hand in the town of Lydda, sent for him, requesting "that he would not delay to come to them." They knew that Peter was connected with Jesus who could help them.
After Peter's arrival, he immediately ask for privacy and knelt beside the bed of Dorcas. He began to pray with assurance in his heart that God would answer his prayer. He prayed, "Tabitha, arise." She opened her eyes and sat up. He called for the people to come back into the room, and there they saw their friend, alive again. What joy they felt! The news spread quickly through the town of Joppa. Dorcas is alive again!
Because of the miracle many people believed in the Lord. The action was a demonstration of the power of God. It was only one of several resurrections recorded in the New Testament, but it authenticated the Gospel.
We do not know what became of Dorcas after this incident. Dorcas gave time, talent and tender care to others. Because of this she is immortalized as someone "full of good works."
Her Place in God's Divine Plan: The resurrection of Dorcas had a twofold effect. First of all, the miracle comforted the mourners for she had returned to her life of good works. This miracle was like our Lord’s miracles—one of mercy. The second effect was to convince all of the truth of the Christian faith attested as it was by miraculous power.
Her Challenges Along the Way: Because a woman is a faithful minister unto others, is righteous and generous, does not mean that she will be spared the tribulations and trials of life. We may well imagine how Dorcas became tired in her endless errands of mercy and her deeds of kindness.
Her Victories: The magnificent work Dorcas was doing had far-reaching consequences. She did not aspire to be a leader, but was content to stay in her own home and try to do all she could in all the ways she could.
Lesson We Can Learn from Her Legacy: The lesson of the story of Dorcas reminds us of God's great love for all people. Dorcas was not a great pastor, prophet, or evangelist, but rather just a plain, everyday person like you and me. However, she was not too important for God to providentially include the story of her good works and charitable deeds in His Holy Word. Dorcas did not go to the mission field but she found a field of endeavor at her doorsteps.
Genealogy: The Bible is silent concerning the parentage and genealogy of Dorcas. Dorcas did the Lord's work effectively in a quiet and unsung manner. Whatsoever she did she did as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
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