INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Lydia’s Hearkening unto Paul
2. Lydia’s Faithfulness to the Lord
3. Lydia’s Baptism into Christ
Introductory Remarks.
1. Our lesson today will discuss the theme: “Lydia’s Conversion.” What will be abundantly clear is that her “obedience to the gospel;” followed the same “pattern of conversion” as outlined in the Book of Acts. She heard the word of God, believed the things spoken, and was baptized with her entire household. Luke wrote of the saints at Corinth: “The Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized,” Acts 18:8. Paul and his company’s entrance into Philippi was due to their: “Macedonia Call to Help.” A vision appeared to Paul in the night: “There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us,” Acts 16:9. Lydia would be the first convert in Philippi. We will observe how her conversion reflected others, as outlined in the Book of Acts.
2. First, we will consider the circumstances by which Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened, attended unto the things spoken of by Paul and Silas. As was his custom, Paul sought out the synagogue on the Sabbath day to preach Jesus among the attendees. Because there was no synagogue, he learned that prayer was being made unto God by the riverside Gangas. Finding women there for prayer, he sat down with them and spake unto them the word of the Lord. A businesswoman named Lydia, seller of purple (dye and garments) in Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard them speak. We know that: “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
3. Second, we will discuss how Lydia acquired faith in Christ while listening to Paul’s message from the scriptures. Luke wrote: “Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which Paul spoke,” Acts 16:14. Both Paul and Silas sat down with them; and spake unto the women which resorted thither (there). They did not stand, in a manner, as lording over them. But they sat down with them; and spoke unto these worshippers, the word of the Lord. And the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, as she attended unto the words of Paul.
4. Lastly, we will describe how Lydia responded to Paul and Silas's words. Luke wrote: “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us,” Acts 16:15. The teaching and preaching of the gospel of Christ; should lead the hearers: to faith and baptism, in obedience to the faith, Acts 6:7. This is a familiar theme throughout the Book of Acts: hearing, believing and baptism, Acts 2:37-41; Acts 8:4; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8. With this brief introduction, let’s consider the first point in this lesson.
BODY OF LESSON
I LYDIA’S HEARKENING UNTO PAUL
A. On the Sabbath, we (Paul and Silas) left the city to join some women worshipers of God at the riverside. A small river named Gangas flows beside Philippi, a Roman colony and the chief city of that part of Macedonia. It was rebuilt about 400 years before this time by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, who named the city after himself.
1. There was no synagogue in Philippi. On the Sabbath day, the worshippers met at the river and held a prayer service there.
a. These women were faithful worshippers of God in the Jewish faith.
b. There was no synagogue, but a few pious Jews, women at least in significant part, met on the river banks, some distance outside the city, for prayer. They recognized their need to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy unto the Lord.”
2. We sat down. Paul and Silas sat down in their midst and spoke unto the women concerning the faith. Here, we mean the gospel of Christ.
3. Spake unto the women which resorted thither (there); either Jewish women or proselytes to the Jewish faith.
B. A certain woman: Luke mentions her in this conversion experience as the only woman gathered by the riverside for prayer.
1. Named Lydia. The woman’s name was Lydia, and she was there with her household members. Some assert that they were her young children and other family members. The text does not affirm this assertion.
a. Lydia. The name is Greek. She was probably a convert to Judaism.
b. This does not necessarily mean her children; it could include her staff or household attendance.
2. A seller of purple. She was a seller of purple. That is, either the cloth dyed purple or the dye itself. Purple was the fabric that made the robes for the nobles of Rome. Lydia was a businesswoman. She was a professional woman and religious.
C. The city of Thyatira. Her home was in Thyatira, not Philippi. The city of Philippi could have been one of her places of business. The church at Thyatira was one of the seven churches in Asia, Revelation 2:18. We might believe that Lydia was a faithful member of this congregation. Her faith in Christ began in the city of Philippi after faithful obedience to the gospel of Christ. The city of Thyatira,
1. Lye beyond the Ægean Sea, some hundreds of miles from Philippi. It was a wealthy town in the northern part of Lydia, a Roman province of Asia, on the river Lycus.
2. She was probably in Philippi for trade and commerce.
3. As a suspected member of the guild (union) of dyers, she had probably traveled there to sell her dyes or purple cloth to the city’s merchants. The color obtained using this dye is now called “Turkish Red.”
D. Worshipper of God. Lydia worshipped God. She found time to attend a prayer service. While on a business trip to Philippi, she found other worshippers and joined them by the riverside on the Sabbath day.
1. This prayer service would bring her into the knowledge of Jesus Christ. She and the other women would be instructed in the “way of salvation,” Acts 16:17.
2. All these women were “worshippers of God.” They held in their hearts the Jewish religion and followed the commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” Exodus 20:8; Isaiah 56:6-7.
3. Worshippers of God. He accepts all people, Jews and Gentiles, who worship God. Peter said to Cornelius: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him,” Acts 10:34-35.
4. The Lord is God of all: “Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through (the) faith Romans 3:29-30. He is God,
a. Of the devout Jews, Acts 2:5.
b. Of the devout Gentiles, Acts 10:1-2.
NOTE: Review our Lesson: Will All Good People Be Saved? SermonCentral.com.
E. Heard us. Luke, however, makes a distinction between Lydia and the other women. Luke wrote of Lydia that she: “heard us,” Acts 16:14. In other words, she listened to the things taught by Paul; she attended to and hearkened unto the things spoken by Paul and received them by faith. Consider,
1. The word heard, in the Gr., is akouo or ä-kü'-o, which means to hear: —give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), hear (-er, -ken), or to understand.
2. Everyone must hear. Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him: and I will raise him at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore: that hath heard; and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,” John 6:44-45. We will revisit these verses later in the lesson.
3. The Pentecost believers: “When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do? ...Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them three thousand souls,” Acts 2:37-41. The idea of being heard is to receive or accept the word of God being taught. I wish I had some help in this lesson!
4. The Corinthians: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthian's hearing believed, and were baptized,” Acts 18:5. Notice the process, hearing, believed, and then baptized.
5. Conclusion: The first step in coming to Christ is to hear about His life, suffering, and death at Calvary. This is the message of the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:16. Faith comes by “hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17. Thus, the first step in the “pattern of conversion " has begun in Lydia's heart. As we continue, we will see the results of faithful gospel preaching. This brings us to the next point in this lesson.
II LYDIA’S FAITHFULNESS TO THE LORD
A. Whose heart the Lord opened. This is not a miraculous opening of the heart by God; it was done by her listening unto the scriptures or the message taught by Paul and Silas from the word of God.
1. The word “opened” here in the Gr., is dianoigo or de-ä-noi'-go, which means to open thoroughly (to expound): --open. Examples of such are these:
a. To open the mind of one, i.e., to cause or to understand a thing.
b. To open one's soul, i.e., to rouse the faculty of understanding or the desire to learn. The disciples on the road to Emmaus remarked,
2. Did not our heart burn: “And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” See Luke 24:13-32. The heart opens through the hearing of the word of God.
3. Divine calling? This was not some mystical or divine intervention, the opening of Lydia’s heart. She listened intensely to the teaching and preaching of Paul and the other ministers. Her heart while she hearkened unto the word of the Lord; and not, by some direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Observe,
a. Calvin’s teaching is that her awakening was done by the Holy Ghost’s work upon her heart. They call this the: “First work of grace.”
b. However, the Holy Ghost's work in conversion is done through the word; “He will reprove the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment...because the prince of this world is judged,” John 16:8-11; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12.
c. The hearers will also be involved in this calling: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely,” Revelation 22:17. Jesus said: “If any man will do his will, he will know of the doctrine,” John 7:16-17.
d. The calling is unto all: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9.
4. If Calvin’s theory is true, the sinner has no part or lot in their commission of sin. Both are disposed to sin and cannot do anything to control such behavior. Let’s see if the scriptures bear out this theory. Consider these two examples: one who has purposed to do evil and the other who desires to accomplish good work. Observe,
a. Ananias and Sapphira: “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession...kept part of the price...laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and keep back part of the price of the land? ...Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God,” Acts 5:1-4. Notice the process:
1) Satan filled thine heart to lie.
2) Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? The word conceived in Gr., is tithemi or te'-tha-me, which means to make, ordain, purpose, or to set (forth) a thing. In this case, the thing proposed or set forth was to lie about the amount of the gift they purposed to give to the apostles.
3) Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God.
b. The office of a bishop: “This is a true saying: If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work,” 1 Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:5-9. Notice the process:
1) If a man desires. The word desire in Gr., is orego or o-re'-go, which means to stretch oneself, i.e., reach out after (long for): —covet after, desire. Here, the word covets means to desire a good thing.
2) The office of a bishop.
3) He desires (covets) a good work.
c. Conclusion: Both these examples permit the person to choose evil or good. Ananias chose to lie unto God. He conceived this thing in his heart. The man who desires or covets the office of a bishop desires good work. Both words: “conceive and desire,” show the person's will or intent. We will consider this process more thoroughly later in the lesson. But for now...
B. She attended. The Lord opened Lydia’s heart through Paul’s expounding the scriptures to her and the other women. She attended to the things that Paul taught concerning Jesus Christ. Observe,
1. The word “attended:” in Gr., is prosecho or pros-e'-kho, which means to hold the mind towards, i.e., pay attention to, adhere to: — (to give) attend unto, to give (take) heed (to unto); or to have regard. To listen to a person’s message, attentively; to take heed, unto the word of the Lord, Matthew 7:24-27.
2. Jesus opened their understanding. Luke wrote: “And he (Jesus) said unto them, these are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.” Notice,
a. First, “Then opened he their (the disciples) understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them: Thus, it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”
b. Further, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
c. Finally, “And you are witnesses of these things, and, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:1-8.
d. Conclusion: The Lord “opened their understanding of the scriptures” by explaining the Old Testament prophecy concerning his life, suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. He did it by explaining the meaning of the text. Watch how Paul follows the Lord’s example by opening the understanding of the Jews to the Old Testament scriptures regarding Jesus as the Messiah (Christ).
3. Paul reasoned with them. Luke wrote: “And Paul, as his manner was; went in unto them (the Jews), and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” That’s how it is done; you reason or explain the scriptures.
a. First, “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead.”
b. Further, “And that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is (the) Christ.”
c. Finally, “And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and the chief women, not a few,” Acts 17:2-4. Notice some of them believed, as Paul “reasoned out of the scriptures.” This undoubtedly was the same manner that the Lord opened Lydia’s heart.
C. Unto the things spoken of Paul. Paul spoke unto them the word of the Lord. He reasoned with her and the other women, opening and alleging that this Jesus, whom he preached, was the Christ.
1. God uses men and women to guide the seeker of truth into an understanding of the word, Acts 8:26-38; Acts 18:24-28. This is done by helping the listener understand the word of God. The teacher or preacher opens the scriptures to the listener.
2. The same was true with Lydia; Paul, Silas, and the others guided her into understanding the word of the Lord. Their preaching opened her heart.
3. As Lydia and the others attended to the words of Paul, she believed the scriptures.
4. Lydia and her house, however, were the only believers in God at the riverside; after hearing the message of the Lord, they believed and obeyed, Romans 1:16; Romans 10:16-17.
D. Process of hearing and believing. Recall that earlier in the lesson, we mentioned that man’s will is involved in doing evil or good. There is a process of sin and death. And a process of faith unto salvation. We will consider each now. Observe,
1. First, the process of sin unto death. James wrote: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his lust, and entice. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death,” James 1:13-15. Notice the process,
a. A man is tempted when drawn away by his lust and entice.
b. When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. The Gr., word here is syllambano or sül-läm-bä'-no; its meaning is similar (to aid: —catch, conceive, or to take), as discussed earlier in the lesson. In this case, of 'lust,' whose impulses a man chooses to indulge in it, James 1:15. Being then taken captive, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth sin.
c. And sin, when it is finished.
d. It bringeth forth death.
e. Conclusion: A man is tempted and enticed when drawn away from his lust. When conceived, his lust brings forth sin, and sin, when finished, brings forth death. The devil tempts us, using our lusts and desires. When we yield to these temptations, we sin; the end of sin is death, Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23. Our will is involved in the entire process of temptation and sin. The same is true of faith.
2. Further, the process of faith unto salvation. Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him: and I will raise him at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore: that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,” John 6:44-45. Notice the process,
a. We can re-engineer James 1:13-15 by applying the words of Jesus regarding how we are drawn by the Father to come to Him. How is this done?
b. Jesus said: “No man can come to me, except the Father who sent me draw him,” John 6:44; John 14:6; John 12:32-33. How does the Father draw us? Observe John 6:45.
1) It is written in the prophets, and they all shall be taught of God.
2) Every man, therefore, that hath heard.
3) And hath learned of the Father.
4) Cometh unto me (Christ).
3. Finally, the process of Lydia’s drawing by the Father. How did the Lord open Lydia’s heart? How did the Father draw her? Consider,
1) She was drawn unto the Father by hearing the word of the Lord.
2) When she heard the word, it brought forth faith.
3) When faith was conceived, it brought forth obedience.
4) When her obedience was finished, it brought forth salvation, Romans 6:17-18.
Note: You may listen to our sermon: Is There Water in the Plan? You can find it at www.Archive.org, Ron Freeman, Evangelist. This lesson discusses the entire process of conversion, or the: “New Birth,” John 3:1-8. Send this lesson and link to all those you love. You and them will be blessed!
E. The second step. Faith is the second step in the “pattern of conversion,” as outlined in the Book of Acts. After the word of God or the gospel of Christ is preached, the hearer believes it and responds in obedience to the truth of Christ, Romans 6:17-18; Romans 6:22. Consider,
1. First, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14.
2. Further, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe,” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
3. Finally, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.
4. Conclusion: Lydia, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of her salvation, believed in the Lord Jesus and completed her obedience to the gospel by being baptized, as well as her entire household. This takes us now to the last point.
III LYDIA’S BAPTISM INTO CHRIST
A. And when she was baptized, and her household. Now, we come to the culmination of Paul's teaching and preaching unto these worshippers of God at the riverside. Lydia and her entire house responded to the gospel's call by desiring to be baptized “to wash away her sins,” Acts 22:16.
1. How do you know this preacher? For the causal bible reader or a devout student of the text, it is understood that the hearer of the gospel, once believing it, is commanded or asks themselves to be baptized. Baptism “puts one in Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27.
a. B. W. Johnson wrote: “And when she was baptized. In the apostolic period, baptism always at once followed acceptance of the gospel. And her (entire) household...Some have held that this implies the baptism of infants. It rather implies that her servants and friends also accepted the gospel. There is no ground for the inference that she was even married, or had children...Therefore the baptism of the children of Christians, of which no trace is found in the New Testament is not to be held as an apostolic ordinance,” Page 309.
b. Baptism is the last step in the conversion process, as outlined in the Book of Acts. To better understand how this unfolds, we must consider the conversion of the Jailer and his house in Philippi.
c. Luke outlines these steps more definitively with the jailer conversion than with Lydia. The reason for this has yet to be discovered. Consider,
2. The Jailer’s Conversion. This conversion experience begins with Paul and Silas being beaten and imprisoned “for calling out an evil spirit, from a soothsayer,” Acts 16:16-24. Luke wrote,
3. Midnight in jail. While in a cold dungeon: “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them,” Acts 16:25. God is always listening to the prayers and singing of His saints. This kind of faith encouraged the Father in Heaven to go to work at midnight!
4. Great earthquake. Luke continues: “And suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the prison's foundations were shaken: immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loose. And the keeper...Paul cried...Then he called for a light...he fell before Paul and Silas...And said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:26-30. [Text shortened for brevity]. Here, we see the jailer asking the most critical question of his life: “What must I do to be saved?” Listen carefully to their reply and the actions these men took on behalf of the jailer and his household. Observe the process,
5. Paul and Silas replied: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house.” Surely all can do this – “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might be saved.” Can anyone be saved without faith? Jesus said: “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins,” John 8:24. Faith comes from hearing the word of God. The believer, then, becomes obedient to the faith that he might be saved, Acts 6:7; Hebrews 5:8-9; Romans 1:5.
a. But what was the Jailer’s reply? There had to be one! Perhaps he reacted like the blind man Jesus healed near the Pool of Siloam in John 9. John wrote,
1) The man was blind from birth, John 9:1-5.
2) The miracle of his healing by Jesus, John 9:6-7.
3) The neighbor’s questions, John 9:9-12.
4) The Pharisees’ questions and rejection, John 9:13-34.
5) Jesus’ question to the man: “Jesus heard that they (the Pharisees) had cast him out (of the synagogue); and when he found him, he said unto him, dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said: Who is he Lord; that I might believe in Him? And Jesus said unto him, thou hast seen Him and He that talketh (now) with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him,” John 9:35-38.
b. Maybe you have yet to seek the Lord with all sincerity? Many are satisfied where they are – because they have not sought the absolute truth about this question, Hebrews 11:1; Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 29:13; John 5:39.
c. I asked: What had the jailer heard until this moment?
1) He heard singing and praying.
2) No preaching was done in the jailhouse by Paul or Silas.
3) There was no instruction from the word of God yet!
4) Can fear and faith alone save anyone? Acts 16:27-29; James 2:19; James 2:24.
d. What had the jailer’s household heard? They had heard nothing at all. They were at home fast asleep unless awakened by the earthquake.
e. Recall that Paul wrote, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17; Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49.
6. Paul, Silas, and the jailer left the prison and went to his house. Luke continues: “And they (Paul and Silas) spake unto him (the jailer) the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them at the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with his entire house,” Acts 16:32-33.
a. Luke explains the last step in the conversion process in his account of the jailers and his house that night. The Jailer and his entire house showed compassion for Paul and Silas. They washed their stripes and were themselves: “Washed in the waters of baptism,” Acts 16:33; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Acts 18:8.
1) Even as Paul and other disciples, in their faith and obedience towards God, Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16; Titus 3:5.
2) The same process occurred in Lydia’s conversion. She heard, believed, and was baptized, as well as her entire household. Johnson explains the jailer and his household’s conversion. Observe,
b. B. W. Johnson wrote: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a heathen. Faith was the first essential step...We learn from the next verse that “his house” could listen to the word of the Lord...It was needful to preach the word, for this heathen knew almost nothing of the gospel. In preaching it, Paul preached baptism, for that follows in verse 33... Believing in God with (his entire) household, (all) therefore, (were) believers,” Page 310. (Insertions are mine). There would be no infants among these baptized believers if all were believers.
c. Conclusion: Here, in the 16th chapter of the Book of Acts, we have two examples of New Testament conversion. After hearing the words of Paul and Silas, both concluded that the believers were baptized, and they and their entire house were baptized. Who could successfully argue that “faith and baptism;” are not necessary steps in the conversion process? Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 3:20-21.
B. If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord. No one can be faithful to the Lord until they become a servant of the Lord. Lydia demonstrated her faith and devotion to the Lord. Lydia pleaded to the apostle Paul to accept her hospitality based upon her example of faith unto the Lord.
1. She not only did those things that caused her to be saved, but she also had a hand in bringing some of her household unto the Lord.
2. We must instruct those we love in the way of the Lord. They decide whether to accept or reject the Lord’s call of grace. Our work is to teach them, and our loving Father’s work is to draw them unto Jesus.
3. When we do our part, the Father can do His part in their salvation. We may like Paul and Apollos: “Plant or water, but God giveth the increase,” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.
C. Come to my house. She now entreats Paul and his company to lodge at her house. She implores them: “If you judge me to be faithful to the Lord.”
1. If I am willing to love, obey, and serve the Lord, reside in my house while you remain in Philippi and be my guest.
2. The love of Christ and His forgiveness and grace: bring out the kindest jesters of our hearts. They shared unto her the word of the Lord. She now desires to share with them the graciousness of her home and hospitality.
3. We want to be gracious to others, especially those who have labored to lead us in the way of salvation, Galatians 6:10-11.
4. Let me take a moment to show a correlation between these two phrases: “Come into my house” and the “house of Lydia,” Acts 16:15; Acts 16:40. Observe, if you will...
a. Lydia’s words, “Come into my house,” show ownership. It was her house. Luke wrote after Paul and Silas’ release from prison: “They entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed,” Acts 16:40. We see these two central truths:
1) My house – shows ownership.
2) The house of Lydia – identifies her house.
b. The Lord’s promise to build the church or the kingdom of God.
1) Matthew wrote that Jesus said: “I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18.
2) Paul wrote: “The churches of Christ salute you,” Romans 16:16.
c. Conclusion: My church shows ownership; it belongs to Christ. Church of Christ: Therefore, it means the Lord named it after Himself. Just like “my house” meant the “House of Lydia," then "my church” means the “Church of Christ.” There is salvation in this name and the body of Christ, Acts 4:12; Ephesians 5:23. I wish I had some help!
D. Abide there. The disciples resided at Lydia’s house, evangelizing the city of Philippi. Their stay, however, was a very short one.
1. More than likely, Lydia’s lodging became a “church in her house,” like other saints in the New Testament, Romans 16:3-5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2.
2. She would reside in Philippi and worship with the saints. Her household would probably manage her affairs while she was absent on business trips or while she lodged in Thyatira.
3. The Philippian church began its work by lodging Paul and his team. They continued their work of support for him, no doubt with the insistence of Lydia and the jailer, Philippians 1:5; Philippians 4:15-16. These two households were Philippi's first converts. Neither of which had infant children!
4. Timothy and Epaphroditus were messengers of their benevolence, Philippians 2:19-24; Philippians 2:25-30. These faithful men of God hazarded their lives for the gospel’s sake and to ensure that support for Paul’s work was never lacking.
E. And she constrained us. Lydia, being the salesperson she was, persuaded Paul and his company to lodge with her and her household. The homes of the saints should be open unto the Lord’s servants. We should be careful; some have entertained angels unaware, Hebrews 13:1-2. Paul contends that the leadership of the church of Christ should be an example of hospitality. The home of these leaders should welcome all the saints. Observe,
1. The bishop and deacon “must be given to hospitality,” 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8.
2. The entire church should be “given to hospitality,” Romans 12:13.
3. Godly women must be the servants of the saints. Paul wrote: “Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man. Well reported for good works; if she has brought up children, lodged strangers, washed the saints' feet, relieved the afflicted, diligently followed every good work,” 1 Timothy 5:9-10. We have covered much ground in this lesson. It is high time for me to conclude this lesson. I imagine some of you might agree!
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Lydia’s Hearkening unto Paul
2. Lydia’s Faithfulness to the Lord
3. Lydia’s Baptism into Christ
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the circumstances by which Lydia, whose heart was opened, attended to the things Paul spoke. As was his custom, Paul sought out the synagogue on the Sabbath day to preach Jesus among the attendees. Because there was no synagogue, he learned that prayer was being made unto God by the riverside Gangas. Finding women there for prayer, he sat down with them and spake unto them the word of the Lord. A confident woman named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira who worshipped God, heard him speak. We know that: “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
2. Second, we discussed how Lydia acquired faith in Christ while listening to Paul’s message from the scriptures. Luke wrote: “Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which Paul spoke,” Acts 16:14. Both Paul and Silas sat down with them; and spake unto the women which resorted thither (there). They did not stand, in a manner, as lording over them. But they sat down with them; and spoke unto these worshippers, the word of the Lord. And the Lord opened Lydia’s heart, as she attended unto the words of Paul.
3. Lastly, we described how Lydia responded to Paul and Silas's words. Luke wrote: “And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us,” Acts 16:15. The teaching and preaching of the gospel of Christ; should lead the hearers: to faith and baptism, in obedience to the faith, Acts 6:7. This we learned is a familiar theme throughout the Book of Act: hearing the good news; believing it; and being obedient to it in baptism, Acts 2:37-41; Acts 8:4; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8.
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Consultations and Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: “Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due),” Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this lesson.
References
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. New Testament History, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese, College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Eighth Printing, 1991.
This lesson was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist, on 9/13/2024.
