WELCOME
by Dena Ivie
"Then Peter arose and
went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room.
And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments
which Dorcas had made while she was with them" (Acts 9:39).
The widows were sad because one dear to them had just
died. Weeping, they showed Peter the garments Dorcas had made for them
before her death.
When a loved one dies, items made by that individual often become of
even greater value to us. We may remember with fondness the occasion
when an item was given. We may recall happy times when a garment, made
by the deceased, was worn, or feel closer to that individual when
wearing the item. I have some aprons made and worn by my grandmother
that are special to me. Wearing one of her aprons makes me feel close to
my grandmother.
What was it about Dorcas that made her so dear? The scripture calls her
a disciple,
"full of good works and charitable deeds"
(Acts 9:36). What greater words could
be said about a person? Indeed, as Christians we must be careful to
maintain good works.
"This is a faithful saying, and these things I
want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God
should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable to men." (Titus 3:8)
Now for the rest of the
story.................Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, had special
miraculous powers, given to the apostles to confirm they were from God (Mark
16:19-20). Peter,
after asking the weeping widows to go outside, knelt down and prayed.
Then speaking to Dorcas, he told her to arise.
"Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the
saints and widows, he presented her alive"
(Acts 9:41).
There must have been great happiness when Dorcas was known to be alive.
But the greatest result of this event is seen in the next verse:
"And it became known
throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord" (Acts 9:42).
Questions
Acts 9:36-42
1. The disciple Dorcas was full of ___________ ______.
2. Why were the widows weeping?
3. What did the widows show Peter?
4. What was done by Peter?
5. Who is they in the beginning of Mark 16:20 (hint: read verses 14-20 of this passage)?
6. According to Mark 16:20 and Hebrews 2:1-4, what was the purpose of the signs (miracles)?
7. Does the word of God need to be confirmed by signs today?
8. Discuss 1 Corinthians 13:10.
9. 1 Timothy 6:17-19, "Command those who are ____ in this present age not to be haughty, nor to _____ in _________ riches but in ___ ______ ___, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be _____ in _______ ________, ready to _____ , willing to _______, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on _____________ ______."
10. Are good works important?
Prove your answer with scripture.
Does faith alone or good works alone bring salvation?
Prove your answer with scripture.
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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