Tabitha/Dorcas, A Female Disciple and Her Ministry of Peace: Revisiting Acts 9.36-42

In the New Testament the term mathētria (female disciple) occurs only once in Acts 9:36 and is assigned to Tabitha/Dorcas. The theme of disciples or discipleship have been examined abundantly by many scholars but the analysis on Tabitha or Dorcas on Acts 9.36-42 is still very limited. Many focus on Peter and few on Tabitha/Dorcas, even fewer analysis on the reason behind the identity and ministry of Tabitha. Luke, the author of Acts is known of elevating the margins and the women, thus the critical analysis of Tabitha or Dorcas is prominent. The research question is: Who is Tabitha or Dorcas, a mathētria who Peter raised from the death with the consequence of many turned to believe the Lord? The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the essence of a female disciple and her ministry of peace who then was raised from death. This article will employ the literature study and examine Tabitha as a disciple in several stage. First, the life and the death of Tabitha/Dorcas. Second, Dorcas’ ministry of peace. Third, the raising of Tabitha by Peter that resulted in many believed in the Lord. The application and conclusion will be the closing of this article.