Dorcas
Dorcas, a word which means "gazelle", was sometimes called Tabitha. She
was a very kind person who spent her time caring for the widows of
Joppa.
Dorcas lived in Joppa, a seaport town. She was a loving person
who showed kindness to others and especially to the poor. She made
coats for the widows so they would have something to keep them warm in
the winter.
One day she became ill and died. Her friends were so sad and upset.
Their dear friend was gone.
They had heard that Peter had been performing miracles of healing sick
people. At this time no apostle had raised anyone from the dead, but
Dorcas' friends believed that Peter could do even that, so they sent
two men to Lydda, a nearby town where Peter was staying.
Peter went back to Joppa with the men, and when he got there, he was
led to an upper room where her friends had laid Dorcas. The room was
filled with widows who were crying and showing one another the coats
and other clothing which Dorcas had made for them while she was alive.
Each stitch showed her faithfulness and the love she had for them.
Peter told them all to leave the room, then he got down on his knees
and prayed, asking God to bring life back into her still body. He said
to her, "Tabitha, get up."
She opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her by
the hand and she stood 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.