Acts 16:11-15

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+16:11-15

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

16:12 Philippi was the key city in the region of Macedonia (northern Greece today). Paul founded a church during this visit (A.D. 50-51). Later Paul wrote a letter to the church, the book of Phillipians, probably from a prison in Rome (A.D. 61). The letter was personal and tender, showing Paul's deep love for and friendship with the believers there. In it he thanked them for a gift they had sent, alerted them to a coming visit by Timothy and Epaphroditus, urged the church to clear up any disunity, and encouraged the believers not to give in to persecution.

16:13 Inscribed on the arches outside the city of Philippi was a prohibition against bringing an unrecognized religion into the city; therefore this prayer meeting was held outside the city, beside the river.

16:13, 14 After following the Holy Spirit's leading into Macedonia, Paul made his first evangelistic contact with a small group of women. Paul never allowed gender or cultural boundaries to keep him from preaching the gospel. He preached to these women, and Lydia, an influential merchant, believed. This opened the way for ministry in that region. God often worked in and through women in the early church.

16:14 Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth, so she was probably wealthy. Purple cloth was valuable and expensive. It was often worn as a sign of nobility or royalty.

16:14ff Luke highlights the story of three individuals who became believers through Paul's ministry in Philippi: Lydia, the influential businesswoman (16:14), the demon-possessed slave girl (16:16-18), and the jailer (16:27-30). The gospel was affecting all strata of society, just as it does today.

16:15 Why was Lydias's household baptized after Lydia responded in faith to the gospel? Baptism was a public sign of identification with Christ and the Christian community. Although all members of her household may not have chosen to follow Christ (we don't know), it was now a Christian home.

The Good News is for all people, including Gentile women. Women are saved; they pray; they serve; they show hospitality. They are not a piece of property in Christ's eyes, apparently, like they were thought of in those days. Loving people is hard for me. I have trouble trusting them. But God continues to work on my heart. Sometimes we have to put aside the preconceived notions we have about people to love and trust. Sometimes we have to ignore the labels others have applied to them. Sometimes we need to pay attention to how God treats people and do the same. "Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

Oh, Lord, forgive us as we fall so short of what You would have us be and do. Have mercy on us, Lord, when we are confused and struggling. Remind us over and over of Your Good News--that You have overcome the world and You will see us through the sufferings too. Help us to love and care for each other. Help us put aside ourselves and, while in Your strength, overcome the obstacles that prevent us from loving people like You did and do. Thank You for all the gifts You provide, particularly for courage and patience today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Song: https://youtu.be/QbUQcbh4TF0

Have a blessed day.