“I See Female Role Models In the Bible”
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, ‘Please come at once!’ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”
Eleanor writes:
Tabitha called (Dorcas), was a female Disciple of Peter’s. One that worked herself to death doing good for the people of God everywhere. I call her a Soldier on the battlefield in the Army of the Lord.
A Disciple that always found her hand at the plow making garments and coverings for the needy. The time of her death, brought grief to many, being unexpected leaving the people without a willing working Minister. Dorcas ministry lead many to Salvation, it taught them to preach without expecting pay. She took no thought for tomorrow how she would survive, but depending upon the Lord for total compassion.
The question comes to mind how was this woman a Disciple of the Gospel? However she was ordained by Apostle Peter. Yes, Disciple Dorcas was a woman of God in ministry, her duty in the ministry answers the question “Can Women be a Pastor”, our men would be the ones to poss such question to the world. Since God made male and female giving them dominion over everything, there’s nothing to hinder women from teaching, preaching or delivering the Word of God. Women continue do what you do best continue to carry the Word of God in your hearts, our men truly need it.
Throughout the Word of God there would be no Bible if there was no women. God said, “It is not good for man to be alone”. We have much love and respect for our men and the role they play. May God bless our men and women that are in leadership.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on August 13th, 2008 and filed under Bible, God's Love, Hope, Praise, Your Stories, God's Sovereignty, Verses, Mentoring.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Dear Eleanor:
You are absolutely correct that “Throughout the Word of God there would be no Bible if there was no women.”
“And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
History witnesss that Male and female God has created them.
In Acts 9:36, the Aramaic name Tabitha, female disciple, also known by her Greek name Dorcas, was referred to by the author of Luke.
Your selected passage is significant also, that this was the first miracle of this kind performed by an apostle, Peter, who offered fervent prayer to God. Peter brought the Benefactor Dorcas back to life.
The mourners’ tears were wiped away, and the work of the Lord grew mightily.
This is reminiscent of the effects which followed when Jesus raised up Lazarus (John 12:11), and of similar healing in Matthew 9:25; Mark 5:41-42.
Dorcas was a true “doer” of the Word.
“Many believed.” It was not merely restoring the life of a benefactor, but was a means of extending and establishing the Kingdom of God our Father and Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Indeed, “May God bless our men and women that are in leadership.”
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you infinitely and inestimably;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Dear Eleanore,
I admire your confidence, and your faith in god’s word, if only more people would do the same including myself. I think we tend to live beneath our privalages. We are all children of the king and have been adopted into the family of Christ. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, and tongue confess that “He” is lord.
It was by a “woman” named “Mary” that god chose to redeem man kind. What greater thing could any of us ever accomplish that could compare? He said, “In the last day’s I shall pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your “daughters” shall prophesy!” We are all god’s children and therefore we cry “Abba” Father
There are none that are righteous, no, not one.
We have all sinned and come short of his glory. In our father’s eyes, we are all born equal. Men and women alike, we are all sinners, saved only by grace and it’s our christian duty to be a witness for Christ’s kingdom which we stand to inherit.
In his kingdom, we will all be the same and there will be no gender to divide us.
I think it’s a shame, how some men act as though they are above a woman, we should all honor one another reguardless the gender. We all have a devine purpose of being and I long for the day, that when this imperfection shall put on perfection, then and only then will “any one” of us be made perfect.
God Bless You!
Michael