The+Conversion+of+Lydia

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= = =**Acts 16:11-15 **=

Lydia was a wealthy woman who sold and made purple fabric. Like Cornelius and the Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia was not saved, but she was a “worshipper of God” and it is clear that her heart was being prepared beforehand for salvation. There is a contrast in this chapter between Lydia and the slave girl with the spirit of divination.[|[1]] Their contrast shows that Christ is the only path to freedom, regardless of your background. God saves.

Philippi was the location of Lydia’s conversion. Paul had a vision that he was called to help with Gospel ministry in Macedonia. This was the beginning of the major haul for them to travel to Europe to share the Gospel. The text indicates that the trip went far better than they had expected and it even seems that the winds propelled them straight to their destination, which was unusual,[|[2]] and they landed in Philippi as their very first destination. Paul was fulfilling his calling to travel to Macedonia to help, but he did not have a specific instruction on what his help would look like aside form the obvious preaching of the Gospel.

It is significant that Philippi was a colony. I can reason why this would be an advantage to the spreading of the gospel because the news of Christ could be transported to other nations and peoples simply through the colony. Paul, Luke, Silas, and Timothy traveled together when they arrived in search of a synagogue; this was typically their first destination to preach upon arriving in a city. It is clear that there were less than ten male Jewish heads of household in the city because there needed to be ten in order to establish a synagogue. [|[3]] The ministry Paul had in Philippi and the Church he established there is further evidence of God’s continual movement to unify the Jewish and Gentile believers under his name within the Church.

Lydia has multiple purposes within the narrative. First she shows the sanctified view Paul had of women counter to his previous pharisaical days.[|[4]] Many have accused Paul of belittling women because of his teaching on women in the Church and the home in his epistles. This is simply not true. It went against the cultural norm at the time for a man to spend time teaching women, and before his conversion, Paul probably would not have done so. However, a sanctified Paul saw the value of women, and he was eager to speak the truth to them. Paul lead his disciples Timothy, Silas, and Luke with him to do the same and show that same sanctified respect for women in their own ministries. [|[5]]

This story is also proof among many other proofs of the doctrine of election. It is clear through Lydia that God has prepared his saints beforehand. God had been drawing Lydia to himself as she was a “god fearer”[|[6]] but God chose the time to open her eyes. The Lord must open the hearts of his elect. No one will choose Christ on their own. This passage provides a Biblical understanding of evangelism. Salvation comes through the hearing of the message of the gospel. Preaching must be present in some way. The implications of this are that the Gospel message must be as clear as possible. Great presentation, clever strategies, and persuasive talk will not save souls, only Christ can save those he chooses. God has prepared those who will know him, he will cause those he will save to seek him. Lydia was seeking God, but the work was not hers or even Paul’s, it was the work of the Holy Spirit.[|[7]] Those whose hearts are truly seeking Christ will never be turned away.

I see one major reason for Luke including this in the narrative is to affirm Paul’s obedience in traveling to Macedonia. The conversions upon traveling to Europe were probably a high point for the team. There were three notable converts on this journey, and this was the fruit of their work that they could see. The spreading of the Gospel throughout Europe was imminent and it is clear that this was accomplished just by looking at Church history. Lydia’s immediate show of hospitality towards the missionaries is just more fruit of her conversion. It is a sign that the fruit of conversion is obedience to God’s word through good works, service, and a genuine affection for Christ and the saints.

[|[1]] MacArthur, John. //Acts 13-28//. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996) 90. [|[2]] Hughes, R. Kent. //Acts: the church afire//. (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1996.)211. [|[3]] Ibid [|[4]] MacArthur, John. //Acts 13-28//. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996) 95. [|[5]] Laurin, Roy L.. //Acts: life in action//. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985) 284. [|[6]] Gutzke, Manford George. //Plain talk on Acts//. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1966.) 144. [|[7]] MacArthur, John. //Acts 13-28//. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996.) 93.

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