Certain Disciples

CERTAIN DISCIPLES

9/28/2019

I am thrilled to be able to have another class that requires me to blog. WHAT?!? I know! It's the best thing ever! Once again, I will be able to share my thoughts with you as I study the New Testament. This class that I am taking covers Acts-Revelation.

I am excited to be able to review some of the things that I have already studied in the "Come Follow Me" manual (and actually study sections that I missed because...life happens, ya know?)

Well, enough of my dilly dallying...let's get started, shall we?

TABITHA

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did."

I love learning about the disciples of Christ who were women. The more I study and the more I learn about these women and their love for and relationship with Christ, the more I am convinced that the Lord loves His daughters deeply. I also have seen more of the place that His daughters have in His kingdom. The Lord needs disciples of every race and gender, and I was impressed by two of those women disciples that are mentioned in the book of Acts.

Israel/Joppa Photo cred: pixabay.com

Who was Tabitha?

In Acts 9:36-41, we learn a little bit about "a certain disciple named Tabitha". She was a woman "full of good works and almsdeeds" (v 36). Part of these good works and almsdeeds included making clothing for the poor (v 39). She became sick and died and many people in Joppa came to the Apostle Peter, begging him to heal her. In a miracle like unto the Savior raising Lazarus from the dead, Peter "kneeled down, and prayed". He turned to the body of Tabitha and said, "Tabitha, arise" (v 40).

Tabitha received a miracle at the hands of an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. But this miracle did not come simply because Peter was an apostle and exercised his power and authority in the priesthood. This miracle in Tabitha's life came because of three things:

The way she lived.
The faith of those who loved her.
To help others come unto Christ.

The Way She Lived

"Tabitha Follows Peter" photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

In "Women of the New Testament" by Camille Fronk Olson, we learn that Tabitha "gave of herself--her time and her gift with textiles...Furthermore, there is no evidence that she was wealthy, only that her good works included selfless acts of kindness toward those in need. Her faith and works in Christ naturally blended to create a genuine disciple" (148).

The prophet Thomas S Monson said,

To me the scriptural reference to Tabitha...defines some of the fundamental responsibilities of Relief Society; namely the relief of suffering...Women of Relief Society, you truly are angels of mercy" ("Be Thou an Example", Ensign, November 2001, 101)

I am so proud and honored to be a member of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am grateful for the opportunities this organization has provided me to be an "angel of mercy" to those who are suffering, and I am equally, if not more grateful, for the times in which my sisters in the Relief Society have been "angels of mercy" for me.

The Faith of Those Who Loved Her

Because of the way Tabitha lived her life, she had many friends who loved her and who were saddened by her recent passing. "The fact that Tabitha was already dead did not preclude Tabitha's friends from seeking help from Peter" (Olson 147).

These faithful friends took Peter to the upper chamber "shewing the coats and garments" Tabitha had made (Acts 9:39). They stood there weeping, pleading with Peter to save their friend and angel of mercy. This show of "emotional gratitude...and the display of Tabitha's gifts of clothing prompted Peter, moved by compassion, to turn to God for help" (Olson 148). He sent her friends away so that he could be alone with Tabitha in the upper chamber where her body lay (Acts 9:40).

To Help Others Come Unto Christ

Tabitha's miracle, brought to pass by faith, good works, and priesthood power, created a "ripple effect of good" because it "went beyond Tabitha, and the Christians in Joppa" (Olson 148).

"And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord" (Acts 9:42)

How many people have been touched by the story of Tabitha? We will probably never know exactly how many hearts have been prompted to change because of the example and miracle of this faithful disciple of Christ and daughter of God. I know that my heart has been touched by her example of good works and has prompted thoughts of change in my own life.

"Jesus Christ" Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

LYDIA

The next certain disciple I want to highlight is Lydia. She "holds the distinction of being the first known Christian convert in what is today called Europe" (Olson 279).

"She Worketh Willingly with Her Hands" by Elspeth Young Photo cred: alyoung.com

Who was Lydia?

She was a "seller of purple" in the city of Thyatira. She worshiped the Lord and embraced the truths that Paul shared when he came as a missionary to her land. (Acts 16:14-15).

"Purple dye was arguably the most exotic and expensive of all the dyes" and the city of Thyatria, "had a flourishing dyers guild and was...famous for its manufacturing of the expensive and luxurious purple dye (Olson 281).

Lydia was likely wealthy because of the business she fan of "selling the finished purple cloth" (Olson 282). She ran a household and was most likely very respected in her community (Acts 16:15).

What Can We Learn From Lydia?

Once again, Camille Fronk Olson provides some wonderful insight on what we learn from Lydia's story in the New Testament:

"Lydia shines in scripture as a golden convert. She understood the gospel. She listened. She led all of her household into baptism after her. She shared her resources with the missionaries...she was eager to learn as soon as she met the missionaries. She had nothing to gain professionally through her conversion to Christianity and plenty to lose" (Olson 285).

Photo cred: churchofjesuschrist.org

Oh, that I can be like Lydia. Even though I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that doesn't mean that I was born and raised converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like Lydia was taught by the missionaries, I was taught by my parents, church leaders, and seminary teachers. Like Lydia, I listened (most of the time), and I allowed the word of the Lord to penetrate into my heart, creating a change therein.

I am still in the process of my conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I still have questions, concerns, and anxieties about things that I don't fully understand. But I don't let those things overcome the things that I DO know; the things that have been emblazoned upon my heart and soul. I'm sure they are similar to the things that Lydia learned as she listened to the missionaries and then turned to the Lord in prayer.

In Conclusion...

And what are those things that have been seared into my heart so deeply that they can never leave?

I know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ LIVES and I know that HE LOVES US deeply and perfectly.
I know that our Father in Heaven has a perfect plan of happiness for us in His great plan of salvation.
I know that through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost, we can come to know truth...absolute truth.

I am grateful for the examples of faithful women and men all throughout the Bible and Book of Mormon that inspire me and help me to progress on the covenant path toward eternal life and exaltation.

Works Cited:

Olson, Camille Fronk, et al. Women of the New Testament. Deseret Book, 2014.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. Salt Lake City, UT, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2005.