Firsts of Acts 16: First Recorded Convert in Europe Continued.

Last article was about Paul going to the river on the Sabbath day to a place of prayer. There he found some women to teach. One of those women was named Lydia. We know in the end Lydia is baptized into CHRIST. She becomes the first convert in Europe as far as Paul’s mission work is concerned. The facts about this woman are fascinating as well as instructional for the rest of us. First, we know she is from Thyatira, living in Philippi. Thyatira, based on the archaeology there, was known for its fabric and dyers guilds. Luke tells us that Lydia was a seller of purple goods which fits where she was from. We’re not told why she was in Philippi or why she had a house there. I don’t think it is too far-fetched to assume she was there for business purposes. This brings up several questions for me, but that’s not important right now. Since she is a seller of purple goods, we assume she is wealthy. After all, her house had enough room to keep Paul and his companions in for however long they stayed in the city. (Except for the time they were in prison there.) The message here is clear; the Gospel of JESUS is for everyone, poor, rich, men, women, Jew, Gentile, servant, or master. We know this message was true even while JESUS walked this earth and taught HIS FATHER’S WILL. Consider the diverse group of men chosen as HIS Apostles. Consider all the women who followed HIM. Consider how HE blessed the children who were brought to HIM. Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan. Consider also these verses; Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Or 1Timothy 2:4 “who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” And others. This has always been great, GOOD NEWS for me personally as well as sinners from all tribes and tongues. This is also great, GOOD NEWS for you as well.

Russell Ashby