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Bible Study: Acts 9: 36-43
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November 12, 2021
Bible Study: Acts 9: 36-43
PART A: Passage
I focused on Acts 9: 36-43. Yes, I read both a formal translation KJV and a functional translation NIV.
PART B: Similarities and Differences between a Formal Translation (KJV) and a Functional Translation (NIV)
The formal translation I selected is the King James Version (KJV), while the functional translation I chose for reading is the New International Version (NIV). Comparing the two translation versions, there are correspondences as well as contrasting dissimilarities. With regard to the correspondences, both translations explicitly list the good-name woman, Tabitha, who subsisted in the city of Joppa. However, there is a vibrant difference between the translations in the logic that the NIV articulates her name was Tabitha, translated from the Greek name Dorcas. On the other hand, the King James Version does not specifically connote the language from which the name Tabitha is translated. Another well-defined correspondence is that both translations document that Peter kneeled down beside her and prayed. However, on close scrutiny, the New International Version parrots that when the disciples perceived that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him to tell him, “Please come at once!” This is not the case in the KJV that generalizes the statements alluding they wished that he would not delay in coming to where they were.
PART C: Basic Elements of a Story in Acts 9: 36-43
Plot
The main characters in the passage are Peter and Tabitha. Tabitha helped out the underprivileged through her altruistic endeavors. At some point, she fell ill and succumbed to death. Peter was in the vicinity, and they propelled two men to urge him to go to Tabitha’s locale. When Peter arrived, they revealed to him all the items Dorcas had made by the howling widows. Peter kneeled and prayed at her bedside and said and told the dead body to arise. Tabitha resurrected and was then presented to the disciples and widows. This made many turn to believers. Peter remained at Joppa with Simon, the tanner.
Story Structure
The plot structure of the story is well defined. The introduction is the mentioning of the benevolent actions of Tabitha. The inciting incident is when Tabitha becomes ill. The rising action of the story is the demise of Tabitha. The climax of the story is when the two disciples find Peter, begging him to go to Tabitha’s locale, where he kneels down and pray and resurrects her. The falling action is the presentation of Tabitha to the saints and widows, and the resolution is the turning point for people to become believers following the scenario.
PART D: Basic Observations
Who
Tabitha was a woman who engaged in benevolent activities. The widows were the beneficiaries of the benevolent actions of Tabitha, while the disciples were her helpers and followers. The two men who fetched Peter were probably neighbors sent by the disciples who worked together with Tabitha. Peter was one of the first disciples of Jesus. Simon was a tanner in Joppa. Luke was the author of the story and wrote it to Theophilus.
What
Tabitha helped out the disadvantaged by her humane actions. At some point, she fell ill and capitulated to death. Peter was in the neighborhood, and they impelled two men to convince him to go to Tabitha’s place. When Peter arrived, they revealed to him all the items Dorcas had made to the widows. Peter kneeled and prayed at her bedside and said and told the dead body to arise. Tabitha resurrected and was then presented to the disciples and widows. This made many turn to believers. Peter remained at Joppa with Simon, the tanner.
Where
Lydda and Joppa were in Israel, outside Judea. Tabitha’s house was in Joppa, while Peter was at Lydda before he was called to go to Tabitha’s house.
When
Acts were likely written around 62 AD. Peter raising Tabitha from the dead comes right after Saul encounters Jesus on the way to Damascus. Saul was saved, baptized, and began teaching the Word (Hindson & Towns, 2017).
Why?
Tabitha passed away so that many people would be saved (Hindson & Towns, 2017). Because of her death and consequent resurgence, many people were saved and added to the church as new believers. Peter came to Joppa presumably to raise up Tabitha from the dead.
How
When Tabitha had died, the widows cleansed her and took her to an upper compartment while they waited for Peter. That displayed abundant faith, for they did not know whether Peter would come on time, and the body could have begun to decay.
References
Bible Gateway Passage: Acts 9:36-43 – new international version. Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2021, from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+936-43&version=NIV.
Hindson, E. E., & Towns, E. L. (2017). Illustrated bible survey: An introduction. B & H Academic.