Primary Scriptures: Acts 9, 16, 18
Story Summary: The stories of Tabitha, Lydia, and Priscilla
Location: Roman Empire; Joppa, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus
Time: AD 30 Jesus crucified and resurrected; Pentecost; Holy Spirit arrives AD 46 First Missionary Journey starts AD 48 Council at Jerusalem; Start of Second Missionary Journey
The book of Acts is primarily written about the male leaders of the early church. As you watch this episode, think of the different cultures of these prominent women and the different times they appear in the history of the Church.
The first story is about Tabitha, also known as Dorcas. She was probably an Israeli Jew before becoming a Christian, and we don’t know if she had ever been married. Her story takes place between Saul’s conversion and the conversion of Cornelius, which is between about 33 AD and 40 AD, and probably closer to 40 AD. The story is found in Acts 9:36-43.
Tabitha gives us an example of the Christian life as one of servanthood. She voluntarily served the poor people of her town, and her actions were so powerful that people were sent to Peter for him to do something upon her sudden and untimely death. We don’t know that they asked him to raise Tabitha from the dead, but he apparently thought that was the best solution.
The second story is about Lydia. Lydia lived in the city of Philippi in the country of Macedonia, now the northern part of Greece, and her story coincides with the Second Missionary Journey of Paul, approximately in 49-50 AD, about twenty years after the death of Jesus. Her conversion story is found in Acts 16:11-15, 40. She very likely was a God-fearer prior to meeting Paul, although she may have not known anything about God. Like Tabitha, we don’t know if Lydia had ever been married.
Lydia is known for responding to the Gospel immediately, bringing her family and servants to faith, and for being an influential church member. With her business background, she was probably very valuable in helping to tend a growing church.
The third story is about Priscilla, the wife of Aquila. Paul met the couple in Corinth on the Second Missionary Journey. Her story can be read in Acts 18:1-4 in Corinth, in Acts 18:18 in Ephesus where Paul leaves them, and Acts 18:24-26. Priscilla and Aquila are always mentioned together. Paul obviously trusted them to lead their churches through their teaching and their behavior.
Eyewitness Bible Series
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