Weekly Bible Study Resources Bible Characters for Your Weekly Bible Study

Compiled by Lt Gen C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret), Burke, VA 22015

For week of May 14 - 20, 2007

The Calling of Peter, James, and John (Luke 5: 1-11) PARALLEL GOSPELS: Matt 4: 18-22; Mark 1: 16-20

TIME LINE: Year of Popularity and Fundamental Principles (2nd year of ministry); Spring of 28CE in Capernaum

“Only after his inaugural sermon does Luke present Jesus as calling and teaching disciples.” (Eerdmans Commentary)

Lake of Gennesaret (Luke v.1) is "the Sea of Galilee, sometimes also called the Sea of Tiberius (John 6:1; 21:1)." (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Simon/Peter, James, and John

Peter, James, and John are credited with an especially close relationship to Jesus, and were regarded by the evangelists as the most important of the 12 apostles. These three were alone with him on more than one important event. They were "often called the 'inner circle.'" (King James Bible Commentary)

According to both Mark and Luke, only Peter, James, and John and the parents witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Then, in the presence of these five whose faith he could trust, Jesus commanded the child to get up.

Later at Gethsemane, Jesus took with him the disciples closest to him—Peter, James, and John —feeling the need of their prayer during this desperate hour (Matt 26:37). Jesus said, “my soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death” (Matt 26:38). Jesus then asked them to stay with him, to keep awake, and to “watch” with him, that he might have their support in his challenge.

"Meeting Human Needs," Christian Science Monitor (24 January 1992), p. 21.

--…once Jesus used Peter's ship as a kind of pulpit where he could address the people along the shore. • After he had finished preaching, he told Peter to take the ship out and let down the nets. ---Peter replied, "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." --To me the crucial word in that sentence is nevertheless. • Peter must have sensed that despite his experience, the Master's spiritual authority would make a difference. ---So he obeyed. • The result was staggering. ---Luke reports, "And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 1 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 • They signaled to their partners, who came to help them. ---The result was that both ships were filled beyond capacity. • The human conditions had seemed hopeless; but Jesus' knowledge of spiritual conditions had led to abundance.

Moon, Jacob R., “Peter at the nets,” POEM, Christian Science Sentinel (17 October 1988), p. 7.

I was doing my work, Casting the broad net That caught the fish And brought my family’s bread.

Then looking up I saw him there. “Follow me,” he said.

I’d no idea, then, What use he could have For a sun-leathered fisherman, but I knew that anything he asked of me, I’d do. I’d try. I would.

For deep inside, I felt the power, Not just of what I saw in him, But a hint—a glimmering— Of what he saw in me.

I turned to follow, Fingers letting fall the nets.

SECTIONS III: Jesus and Peter Walk on the Water (Matt 14: 22-32) PARALLEL GOSPEL: Mark 6: 47-52

TIME LINE: April, 29 AD on the Sea of Galilee; The Year of Opposition and Development (Jesus’ 3rd year of ministry)

After a while, as Jesus was praying for his beloved disciples, he looked over the moonlit lake and saw that a sudden windstorm, common in that region, was springing up. Waves soon mounted high; and, in spite of desperate rowing, the weary disciples could make no progress.

This event "reveals Jesus more clearly as a divinely sent and empowered emissary who is intimate with God in prayer, can rule and sea and winds, and evokes recognition as the Son of God from his disciples (v.33)." (Eerdmans Bible Commentary)

Peter [Pee'tuhr] (Gr. Petros, a "rock")

TIME LINE: - 65 AD

Jonah [Jonas/John] (father) Simon Peter [Cephas/Petros]= Unknown (Gospels refer to mother-in-law) Andrew CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 2 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007

The original name of this disciple was Simon. According to the Gospels, Cephas was a Syrian surname given by Jesus to Simon (John 1:42), meaning “rock.” The Greeks translated it by Petros, and the Latins by Petrus; Jesus called him Peter.

Simon Peter was the most prominent of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The Bible gives a more complete picture of Peter than any other disciple, except Paul. He is often considered to be a big, blundering fisherman and is attractive for his constant mistakes and forgiveness, his boisterous and impetuous enthusiasm, and for his good intentions and self-confidence that so soon seemed to disappear. He became one of Jesus’ closest friends and was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

He was a native of Bethsaida (modern Golan Heights of Syria), and his family probably lived at Capernaum [on Lake Galilee]. They were fishermen "of the poorer class, since apparently they did not even own a boat." (Oxford Guide to People & Places) Living in the district of Galilee [modern northern Israel] surrounded by Gentiles, Peter may have spoken colloquial Greek, but his native language would be Aramaic and his Galilean accent was quite obvious in Jerusalem at the trial of Jesus. Both Peter and his brother Andrew were followers of John the Baptist before knowing Jesus. “Peter was married, because the Gospels mention that Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Matt 8:14-15)" who lived in his house. “The apostle Paul later mentioned that Peter took his wife on his missionary travels (I Cor 9:5).” (Who Was Who in the Bible) Peter’s house at Capernaum became the headquarters of Jesus’ lakeside ministry, and Peter’s boat was always at his disposal.

“Peter’s ardor, earnestness, courage, vigor, and impetuosity of disposition marked him from the first as the leader of the disciples of Jesus” (Westminster Dictionary). Peter is the first named in every list of the twelve Apostles, and was apparently the strongest individual in the group. “He was the natural spokesman of the apostolic band” (Ibid). “With James and John, Peter formed an inner circle of three, who alone were allowed to accompany Jesus into the house for the raising of Jairus’ daughter, to witness the transfiguration, and to share the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane…. He expressed the conviction of the twelve when he made his great confession at Caesarea Philippi: ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ At once Jesus replied, ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…’” (Who’s Who in the New Testament)

All three Synoptics credit Peter with a speaking role at Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 8:29; Matt 16:16; Luke 5:10). He was always a man of action, but from his calling by Jesus to his denial of Jesus he was a man of impulse and aggressive energy, of childlike simplicity and daring, alternating with a weak and cowardly instability. "At times he acted as a vigorous individual quick to take the initiative. This occurred in Matt 14:28, where Peter volunteered to come to Jesus upon the water, though he became afraid while carrying out his proposal, and also in Matt 18:21, where he asked Jesus how often he must forgive his brother." (Interpreters Dictionary) He is particularly remembered for his three-fold denial of Jesus, his repentance, and his three-fold commission by Jesus to “feed my sheep.” He was the first to witness Jesus’ resurrection—to see the risen Lord—and to recognize him as the Messiah. "The usual Christian view emphasizes Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah as his unique and basic contribution." (Ibid)

“Three of the Gospels place Peter among the disciples during the resurrection appearances, Luke 24:34 agreeing with Paul (I Cor 15:5) that Jesus also appeared separately to Peter.” (Eerdmans Dictionary) “In John 21 we have the account of a full re-instatement into the place of an apostle. From this time he became what his name signified, a rock—and his boldness in the face of persecution formed a sharp contrast with his previous timidity.” (Peloubet’s Dictionary)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 3 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 Peter's greatest contribution after Jesus' ascension was as serving as "a bridge in the early church, doing more than any other to hold together the diverse strands of primitive Christianity." (Holman Bible Dictionary)

Part of the rhetorical structure of the Acts of the Apostles is the portrayal of both Peter and Paul as imitators of Jesus. After Jesus’ ascension, at which he “sent out” his apostles into the world, Peter at once assumed the leadership of the apostles. He suggested the choice of a replacement for Judas. The earliest information about the early church comes from the Book of Acts. “During the period of approximately fifteen years which is covered by the first twelve chapters of Acts, Peter was the dominant leader of the church. Undoubtedly the other apostles were faithful, but nine of them Acts never mentions as active individual leaders.” (Interpreter’s Dictionary) He was the first of the apostles to perform a miracle in the name of Jesus—healing the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. He conducted the defense of John and himself before the Sanhedrin, and pronounced the condemnation of Ananias and Sapphira. “When the gospel was first preached beyond the precincts of Judea, he and John we at once sent by the apostles to confirm the converts at Samaria.” (Peloubet’s Dictionary)

“The second tour led him as far as Joppa (Acts 9:32).” (Funk & Wagnalls Dictioanry) It was Peter who healed Aeneas, the paralytic at Lydda [modern Lod], and he raised to life Dorcas, the woman of many good works in Joppa [modern Jaffe, close to Tel Aviv]. He proclaimed salvation to the churches and preached the gospel to the Gentiles. We know little of Peter’s work outside Palestine, but he continued the healing ministry of Jesus throughout the Middle East.

"He probably spent most of his time among the Aramaic-speaking population, and his work at Lydda and Joppa may have been with such people (9:32-43), but he could go to the Caesarea home of the centurion Cornelius, who no doubt spoke Greek, and preach the gospel to him and his household and friends (10:1-11,18)." (Interpreters Dictionary) “Acts…tells the story of Peter’s welcoming of Cornelius into Christian discipleship after he received a revelation about God’s making all foods (and people) clean (10:15,28,34).” (HarperCollins Dictionary)

After remaining for some time at Caesarea, he returned to Jerusalem, where he defended his conduct with reference to the Gentiles. Next we hear of his being cast into prison by Herod Agrippa; but in the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, and he went forth and found refuge in the house of Mary.

Although there is no evidence directly linked to the event, it is highly probable that Peter was martyred in Rome @ 65 A.D., when Nero made the Christians the scapegoats for the burning of Rome, which he had himself initiated. According to early Christian tradition, Peter, as an old man, suffered martyrdom by crucifixion head downwards.

“Of far more importance is the statement that Mark wrote his Gospel under the teaching of Peter, or that he embodied in that Gospel the substance of our apostle’s oral instruction.” (Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary) “Authentic history adds but little to our knowledge of Peter’s life beyond what we glean from the New Testament. It seems that Peter did not live long in Rome, and it is improbable that he founded the church in Rome.” (Westminster Dictionary) “The only written documents which Peter has left are the First Epistle—about which no doubt has ever been entertained in the Church—and the Second, which has been the subject of earnest controversy.” (Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary)

Cook [Hovnanian], Mrs. Louise Knight Wheatley (CSB and Lecturer), “Peter, the Impetuous,” Christian Science Sentinel (2 April 1938), p. 603.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 4 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 --Among the disciples who were with Jesus during the three memorable years of his ministry, Peter seemed continually to be battling against certain unfortunate peculiarities of character, which ever appeared to stand in the way of his progress. • For Peter, humanly speaking, was one of those who seemed to possess what the world terms a natural proclivity for making mistakes. ---He might be called "Peter, the impetuous," acting upon impulse, jumping at conclusions, always trying to take advanced positions beyond his power to maintain. • This may well apply to some of those later followers of the Christ, who express today that same zeal without wisdom which seemed to characterize Peter.

Lang, Max, "No One Needs to Sink," Christian Science Sentinel (7 July 1973), p. 1160.

--Persistently acknowledging divine law and expressing divine qualities without fear sustains us and brings order into our existence. --If we face temptations, we can remember Christ Jesus. • His example can help us overcome temptation and walk over the waves of fear. ---To Peter, who tried to step upon troubled waters and began to sink, Jesus said, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matt 14:31) ---And as he said this, Jesus lifted Peter up. • So let us never doubt the power of the Christ, Truth, to support us. ---If we understand and affirm our perfect spiritual relationship to God, we will be lifted even higher to more joy—to genuine and lasting success.

Peter's Confession of the Christ, and the Indestructibility of Church (Matt 16: 13-18) PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark: 8:27-30; Luke 9: 18-21

TIME LINE: The Year of Opposition and Development (Jesus’ 3rd year of ministry) near Caesarea- Philippi in the summer of 29 AD.

“Caesarea Philippi is a district about twenty-five miles north of Galilee, at the base of Mt. Hermon. It was different from the city of Caesarea built by Herod the Great on the Mediterranean coast.” (MacArthur Commentary)

“[This is] one of the most debated periscopes in [Matthew]. In [Mark] we find the account of how the disciples for the first time recognize Jesus as the Messiah; Peter speaks for them….” (Peake’s Commentary) "Verse 20 suggests that it [Thou art the Christ] was a conviction which they all now shared." (King James Bible Commentary)

“All Jesus’ previous activities in Galilee and the Gospel writer’s interpretations of him as teacher, healer, Messiah, and Son of God come to a climax in Jesus’ dialogue with his disciples about his identity (16:13-20).” (Eerdmans Commentary)

"The primary function of this passage is to record the establishment of a new community, one which will acknowledge Jesus' true identity and thereby become the focus of God's activity in history." (Oxford Commentary)

John the Baptist, Elias, and Jeremias

Matt 16:4 "shows that public opinion placed our Lord on the highest human pedestal by identifying Him with one of the national heroes of the past, i.e., John the Baptist….The coming of Elijah (Elias) was prophesied by Malachi (Mal 4:5) and the Jews often linked the name of Jeremiah with the prophet foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15." (King James Bible Commentary)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 5 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 Simon Peter (See above)

Bates, Edward P., “Prophetic Scripture,” Christian Science Journal (December 1893), p. 388

--Divine Love, through the teaching of prophecy, is constantly drawing man to his primal source. • Elijah illustrates this in the parting of the waters of the Jordan with his mantle, a physical impossibility according to the evidence of the senses. ---Jeremiah tells of the desolation which must follow idol worship, and mourns because his words do not fall on ears which hear. --Jeremiah is continually warning the people against relapsing into the sins of Egypt and those of the surrounding nations, but his words seem to have been largely unheeded. • The entire world is in a state of expectancy, believing in the coming of the Messiah, yet Jesus comes and fulfils all conditions of prophecy, and is unrecognized by the masses.

Barris, J. Allen, "'Thou art the Christ,'" Christian Science Journal (February 1917), p. 629.

--All down through the ages the Master's sayings and their interpretations have been the subject of a multitude of discussions and have formed the basis of many different creeds and denominations. --It was shortly after his experience in Capernaum that we find him preaching at Caesarea Philippi. • His efforts to make himself understood here must have met with even less success than elsewhere, for we find him testing the effects of his preaching by asking his disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" ---Their answer seems to have been anything but encouraging, for we find him replying to them with the question, "But whom say ye that I am?" • Peter's simple and direct answer to this, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," must have filled him with joy and compensated to a large extent for his disappointment in the uncertain answers of the others.

Dunaway, Max, “Peter,” POEM, Christian Science Journal (September 1954), p. 482.

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." …. So many times I did things wrong, holding fast to creeds, Suggesting tabernacles made of stones, instead of deeds, Taking you to task for being faithful to your Lord, Unsheathing in an unpropitious hour my erring sword. It would have seemed not strange at all if you had wondered why You had been led to choose so indiscreet a one as I. And yet I know you must have looked through all these faults to see, Deeper than all of my mistakes, the man I longed to be.

And unwise though I often was, sometimes I felt the power That animated you, and proved it in a holy hour, As when three thousand heard my word and turned from scorn to praise, Or when I healed the mendicant and felt his grateful gaze, Or lifted up the kindly one, who all declared had died, Or when through prison doors I walked, an angel for my guide.

“Thou art Peter”—oh, may I be a living rock indeed, Unshakable in Truth, matched to the time’s astounding need.

Holland, Muriel Nellis, "'Upon this rock,'" Christian Science Journal (January 1970), p. 8. CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 6 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007

--Not since the time of the Reformation has there been an upheaval in organized religion such as we are experiencing today. • Doubt, disbelief, and dissension are undermining many denominations, and books tearing at the very heart of long-accepted theological doctrines are receiving wide attention. --At Caesarea Philippi, Simon, answering for the other disciples, identified Jesus as the Christ, and it was upon this recognition that the Master purposed founding his church. • He gave his blessing to Simon and added, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:18) ---Jesus saw that the gates of hell, the machinations of evil, or the carnal mind, would attempt to undermine his church, but that they would never succeed.

Jesus Reveals His Glory in the Transfiguration (Matt 17: 1-9) PARALLEL GOSPELS: Mark 9: 2-8; Luke 9: 28-36

TIME LINE: The Year of Opposition (Jesus’ 3rd year of ministry)

The dramatic elements help us understand the Transfiguration, especially as it reveals the glory of Christ. It occurred in a dramatic setting (a high mountain) at a dramatic occasion (when Jesus was praying [Luke 9:29]) during a dramatic hour (at night). Darkness heightened the drama of Jesus’ shining face and dazzling clothing.

"The precise reference to the amount of time elapsed [six days, v.1] is unusual for Matthew. It seems he is carefully connecting Jesus' promise in 16:28 with the event that immediately follows." (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Peter, James, and John (See above)

Moses and Elias

Moses and Elijah (v.3) "represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively, both of which foretold [Jesus'] death, and that is what Luke says the three of them are discussing (Luke 9:31)." (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Norcross, Rev. Lanson P. (Pastor and Bible Lesson Committee), "The Transfiguration," Christian Science Journal (April 1892), p. 1.

--The account of the Transfiguration is given in all the synoptics (Matthew, Mark and Luke), and what is not a little surprising is, the three authors not only give the same facts, but relate them in almost precisely the same language. --Doubtless, the Transfiguration did have a "locus"; but this is of small consequence beside the vital fact that its chief significance consisted in its taking place in the glorified consciousness of those who were exalted to be its witnesses. • Let it be conceded that the Master did actually go upon some mountain elevation, as a concession to the needs of these three disciples who were still very material in their consciousness; but, suppose that some of our worldlings had been with them on that mount of transfiguration, would these same worldlings have been able to perceive what the three disciples finally saw? ---Certainly not; for what can mere altitude do for one whose thought is wholly gross and material?

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 7 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 • True, our human sense does say that there is uplifting inspiration, in being taken to high altitudes; yet, the hour will come when it will dawn upon us that to be with Christ in the Spirit, is in itself a transfiguration-mount whereon to behold all the glories of earth and of Heaven.

Phillips, Oswald J., "Genuine happiness for all," Christian Science Journal (October 1998), p. 35.

--Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy says: "Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." [57:18] --How wonderfully comforting to know that happiness is the outcome of Truth and Love, and not of human circumstances! --Imagine for a moment the joy and spiritual uplift the disciples Peter, James, and John must have felt after seeing Jesus transfigured and talking to Moses and Elias. [Matt 17:1-8] • They glimpsed the eternal nature of the Christ and the reality of spiritual existence, transcending time and space, unhampered by material limitations. ---Yet they had to descend the mount of transfiguration and face the challenges that lay ahead. • They were able to do this, however, buoyed by their Master's shining example and by their own fresh perception of spiritual being.

Park, Veronica Violet, "Let us come down from the mountain," Christian Science Sentinel (15 August 1959), p. 1421.

--We all well know that we cannot come down from the mountain of communion with our Father until we have ascended it. • We cannot give spiritual truths to others until we have let the Christ make them vital and operative in our own consciousness. ---What is it that would sometimes hide the glorious light of Truth from students of Science? ---What is it that would hinder and obstruct one's progress Godward? --Our Leader names this seeming yet mythical power animal magnetism. --As we come more and more to dwell in the radiance of the Christly light, erroneous suggestions will find less frequent place in our consciousness.

Prinsloo, Mrs. Yvonne Joy (CS, Waltom-on-Thames, ENG), “Go forward, in the consciousness of Life!,” Christian Science Journal (December 1998), p. 13.

--The account in the Bible of the transfiguration [Mark 9:2-9] was another instance where Jesus proved that man’s real being is deathless. • The disciples who were present with Jesus saw him talking with Moses and the prophet Elias, and Jesus himself was transfigured. ---What took place at this meeting on the mountain gave evidence that man is eternally at one with God, Life. • Jesus understood man's permanent identity to be spiritual. ---Our true being can never be found in or immortalized in matter. ---If we look for it there, we lose it.

The Healing of Tabitha by Peter at Lydda (Acts 9: 36-41)

TIME LINE: 40 AD at Lydda near Joppa

Peter “comes to Lydda [modern Lod], where ‘saints are living’ (v.32), and then to the coastal city of Joppa [Jaffe] where disciples can be found (v.38).” (Eerdmans Commentary)

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 8 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007 “The fledgling community at the port of Joppa comes across with a little more detail: it includes both men and women, and Luke uses the unusual term mathē tria for a woman disciple (outside the church women would not often be characterized as ‘student’).” (Oxford Commentary)

V.36 "Disciple in the feminine form of the Greek occurs only here. ‘Tabitha’ (Aram.) and ‘Dorcas’ (Gr.) mean ‘Gazelle’.” (Peake Commentary)

“[v.] 37 ‘upper room.’ This arrangement was similar to that of the upstairs room in 1:13; 2:1. While it was customary to bury a body immediately, the believers in Joppa had another plan.” (MacArthur Commentary)

V.38 "two men: cf. 10:7, 11:30, etc., perhaps connected with the idea of two witnesses authenticating a message." (Peake Commentary)

Tabitha/Dorcus [Tab’ih thuh Gr. Dorcas] (“gazelle”)

Dorcas was a Christian woman from Joppa known for befriending and helping the poor, and for her generosity, charity, and “good works.” (Acts 9:36-43) Tabitha was her Aramaic name. “The name itself appears to have originated as a nickname, rather than as a proper name.” (Women in Scripture)

“The Bible tells us little about her background, but it is possible that she was a woman of some wealth, or at least had connections with the wealthy. Dorcas may well have been one of the early converts of Philip the evangelist, who established a Christian church at Joppa.” (Who Was Who in the Bible) "She appears to have been especially active in providing clothing and goods for the 'widows.'" (Women in the New Testament)

When she became sick and died at Lydda, her body was laid out in an upper room, and friends sent two men to fetch the apostle Peter who was in nearby Joppa. He came and after prayer, bade her arise, and restored her to life. “The fame thereof spread, and many believed on the Lord.” (Westminster Dictionary)

Peter (See above)

Bauman, Helen Wood (CSB, Associate Editor, Editor, and Normal Class Teacher), “Dorcas,” FOR CHILDREN, Christian Science Sentinel (30 October 1976), p. 1909.

--The Bible tells about a Christian woman named Dorcas, who lived in a town named Joppa. [“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” (Acts 9: 36)] • She liked to help people. ---She made clothes for them and did many other kind things. --One day Dorcas became sick and died. • But some of her friends felt sure she could be brought back to life. ---They had heard that Peter, a disciple of Christ Jesus, was in town not far away. • There he had just healed a man who had been sick in bed for eight years. --So they sent messengers to ask Peter to come and help Dorcas. • Peter came right away and found Dorcas’s friends crying. ---They told Peter about her loving deeds for others and showed him some of the coats and things she had made.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 9 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007

Leishman, Thomas L., “Some Women of the New Testament,” Christian Science Journal (May 1944), p. 290.

--During the Master’s ministry, Peter had been one of the three apostles privilege to be present when Jesus raised from the dead the young daughter of Jairus; while at a later date this apostle had an opportunity of proving for himself the practicality of the Nazarene’s command that his followers should “raise the dead.” • While visiting Joppa, on the seacoast of Palestine, Peter received an urgent call to visit the neighboring town of Lydda, where a kindly and generous woman, known to the Jews as Tabitha, and to the Greeks as Dorcas, had fallen sick and died. ---Following the example of the Master in the case of Jairus’ child, Peter swiftly banished the mourners from Tabitha’s room, and when he turned to God in prayer she was quickly restored to life (Acts 9: 36-41).

Allen, Raymond Jackson, "What Is Our Attitude Toward Death?," Christian Science Journal (August 1974), p. 480.

--One's attitude toward death is a measure of his spiritual maturity. • If he is wise, he does not try to ignore it; neither does he fear it nor look upon it as a friend. --In the book of Acts we read of Peter restoring Dorcas to life…. --Our attitude toward death…is determined by our attitude toward Life. •In Life there is no place for death. ---If we view Life as ever present and eternal, we must of necessity think of its opposite, death, in its true aspect—as always absent and unreal. • Its claim is a false belief, neither to be feared nor welcomed. ---Understanding divine Life and our inseparability from it is leading us to mastery of death and the demonstration of immortality.

Paulus, Peggie Case, “Consider Peter,” POEM, Christian Science Journal (July 1981), p. 397.

Consider Peter. That fisherman, Used to rough waves, rough men. …. Consider Peter. When Jesus experienced resurrection, Peter shared in this glorious event. He also rose—to a degree. He rose to a higher understanding Of the Christ he had been following.

Then how Peter healed!

Consider Peter. Then know that we too, Although impetuous at times, Denying and doubtful at times, Can also share in the resurrection. Can rise higher and higher In our understanding of the Christ.

Like Peter, we can heal. CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 10 Bible Characters for your weekly Bible study — May 14 - 20, 2007

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Bibliography is provided only in the notes of the first Sunday of each month.

*The weekly Bible Lessons are made up of selections from the King James Version of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

CSDirectory.com weekly Bible Study resources http://www.csdirectory.com/biblestudy/nw-index.html 11