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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
C - The Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36 - 18:22)

4. The Founding of the Church at Philippi (Acts 16:11-34)


ACTS 16:11-15
11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city. 13 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay.” So she persuaded us.

The storm of the love of God moved the ship of his apostles immediately from Asia to Europe. Such a voyage usually took five days and five nights. However, contrary to what was formerly customary, the ship arrived in two days. Paul did not stay at the seaport, but set out immediately to the city of Philippi, the center of the province.

Augustus Caesar defeated the murderers of Julius Caesar when he pursued them to this city, on whose plains famous and horrible battles were fought. Afterwards, he raised up, enlarged, and decorated Philippi, freed it from taxes, and made it a retreat for retired soldiers. This city was similar to Antioch, the Syrian city, in both its atmosphere and regime.

Paul was excited and longing to meet the Macedonian whom he had seen in the vision. How strange that he did not find anyone who cared about Christ and His salvation. They were all aiming for pleasure and ease. The servants of Christ did not find Jewish people, for military character, and not commercial activity, prevailed in the city. The men wondered if perhaps the vision was an obsession, and the call a reflection of their own wishes.

Paul knew that in cities where there were no synagogues the Jews used to gather every Sabbath along the river banks outside of the city for common prayer. There they could perform washings before and during their religious services. The apostle went out of the city to the bank of the Gangites, two kilometers from the city. There he saw Jewish and Greek women gathered for prayer. When he saw them, Paul wondered: “What does the women’s concern have to do with me? I have seen a man in the vision and not a woman. I am not looking for foreign women.”

The Holy Spirit humbled the apostle of the Gentiles. He does not distinguish between rich and poor, great and small, man and woman, free and slave, white and black, but satisfies every soul that hungers for the word of God. Here the Spirit spoke through Paul to the women sitting along the river bank over the fullness of salvation.

One of the hearers was a dealer in purple cloth, a woman originally from the city of Thyatira in Asia Minor, the country which the Holy Spirit had prohibited his apostles from preaching in. She was now in the Macedonian city of Philippi hearing the gospel of salvation. She was rich, dealing with purple manufacture, one of the most precious goods at that time. She was alert and discerning of people. Soon she perceived the power of God flowing out from the apostles. She sensed the voice of God as she listened attentively to the gospel. The Lord opened her heart and enlightened her spirit. She was immediately born again, not because of personal goodness, but because she listened and hungered for the word of God. Even today the gospel renews the hearts of those who seek the righteousness of God. The Spirit of truth dwells in those who submit to Him.

Lydia was a woman of fashion who dressed herself according to the latest and most admired style in clothes. She was smart and possessed expertise. She immediately recognized the heart of salvation and asked for baptism. She believed that Jesus is the Son of God who forgave her sins on the cross. Therefore, she submitted to the waters of baptism, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and experienced love, truth, and everlasting life.

How wonderful! Paul did not only baptize this woman, but all her household, including her husband, her children, her servants, and all her co-workers. Paul was convinced in the power of the Spirit of God, and knew that she who was enlightened could enlighten others, too. She who was gifted with the love of God could make from the selfish servants selfless followers of the Lord in practice. How large was the heart of Paul! He gave no long lesson in preparation for baptism, but had the courage to submit a complete group of people to Christ, trusting that He would complete the good work begun. Paul knew that Christ alone, and not he himself, saves those who believe.

Afterwards the rich believer asked Paul and his three companions to accept her hospitality during the rest of their stay in the city. She opened her house to them as a center for evangelization. Paul, nevertheless, did not want to accept this help. He and his companions preferred to work with their own hands to provide for themselves. Yet the clever merchant pleaded with the men of God until they accepted her invitation. They remained in the city to strengthen the converts. Paul accepted her hospitality and his love overcame previous sentiments. Love was, indeed, his most important principle.

Paul had seen a man in the vision, but the convert was a woman. The apostle came from a religion which gave dominion to man, yet in Europe Christ first chose a woman. We see in these developments symbols for the freedom of woman, along with the apostle’s ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. The gospel came to Europe through the apostle’s obedience, and the first fruit was a woman, a seller of purple.

PRAYER: O Lord, we thank You that You opened Lydia’s heart and answered her longing through the outpouring of Your Spirit. Forgive us our limited thinking, and enlarge our hearts in the way of humility and love, so that we may let girls and ladies also hear the truth of the gospel with all purity and wisdom.

QUESTION:

  1. What was the miracle in Lydia’s life? Why did Paul baptize all her household?

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