Lydia baptized
Acts 16:11-15; 12/17/2023; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Lydia’s baptism was the first thing Paul, Silas, and Timothy did after receiving the Macedonian vision. This also gave rise to the first female believer in Europe, which is of great significance. Let’s look at the first point:
Arrive at Philippi
Philippi was founded in 356 BC by Alexander’s father Philip II in order to control the nearby gold mines of Pangaion and the passage between Amphipolis and Neapolis. First, cross two continents. The Bible devotes a single verse to describing this evangelical missionary crossing from Asia to Europe, far superior to any journey between Europe and Asia in history. This is also the first time in the New Testament that the church was led by a vision, received by the disciples, set out as a team, and implemented its mission. If we look at the gospel mission circle in Acts 1:8, the church has broken through the limits of Asia and entered the new earth of Europe. Unlike the first missionary journey, this time Paul and his party did not stop at the islands they passed through, like they did in Cyprus last time. The Bible does not say, and we do not know, why they did not stop at Samothela but went straight to Neapolis and entered Europe.
Second, switch meeting points. Neapolis is a port city at the northern end of the Aegean Sea, today’s Kavala. The purpose of the Bible specifically mentioning Neapolis is not to tell us that Kavala might be the same seaport city as Datum, the birthplace of the gold mines. It wants us to quickly pay attention to Philippi, the first missionary city in Europe. This is not the point here. The point is that from now on, the places Paul talked about were no longer limited to the synagogues. Jesus said, “If two or three pray in my name, I will be with you.” This is the prototype of the church’s existence and the basic form of its development. The words of Christ Jesus are confirmed in church missions, and the power of the gospel is lived out.
Finally, a sermon to women. The second half of chapter 6, verse 13: “and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. ” It sounds easy and relieved today, but for the early church two thousand years ago, it was not simple. Judging from Jewish tradition, the holy temple is divided into women’s courtyards and men’s courtyards. The remaining Western Wall is also the Wailing Wall, and it is even divided into men’s left and women’s right. Muslim women must cover their heads even when going to the mosque. Even in Greece or Southern Europe at that time, it was the first time that women heard sermons, or that sermons were specifically preached to women. I believe God is telling us here that among His many laws, such as the law of men and women, the law of roles, the law of service, etc., the law of the gospel ranks first. Let’s look at the second point:
Meet Lydia
The main meaning of the name Lydia is incitement, but conversely, the positive meaning of the word incitement can also be agitation and hard work. The key is to look at the core values in a person’s heart. When life changes, God will turn decay into magic. First, a person of vision. Purple pigment was scarce not only in Europe but all over the world. Because purple is collected from snails at the bottom of the water, powerful people usually force slaves to dive into the water to collect and grind the snails. We don’t know where Lydia’s first pot of gold came from, but judging from the business she was engaged in, at least she was a person with vision. This was high-tech at the time, far superior to ordinary people, and had the potential to crush the cloth market at that time. The Bible specifically introduces Lydia as coming from Thyatira in the province of Asia, which is in the west of today’s Turkey, south of Istanbul, only fifty miles from the Mediterranean Sea, and across the sea from Athens to the west. More importantly, Thyatira is also one of the seven churches in Revelation.
Secondly, a God-fearing person. Regarding Lydia, the Bible does not write much, leaving a lot of room for imagination. Thyatira was a commercial center filled with various guilds. Such as woolen craftsmen, linen craftsmen, coat craftsmen, pottery craftsmen, coppersmiths, slave traders, and printing and dyeing craftsmen, and it is also an indigo trade center. Lydia appeared in the business world as a single woman. Perhaps she was a second-generation rich woman with great wealth. Or maybe her husband was wealthy, died young, and she was able to inherit his business. Or maybe she was a slave who, after being freed by her master, started a purple cloth business and spread her business to Europe, becoming a wealthy person. Logically speaking, once a person has money, it is difficult for him to believe in God and to be humble. But the Bible says that she “always worshiped God”! It seems that her life experience has helped her to take fame and fortune lightly!
Finally, one who knows God. How do we know she is a person who knows God? The Bible says that when she heard it, the Lord opened her heart and told her to pay attention to what Paul was saying. If the law of faith is to do what you hear, then the law of knowledge is to pay attention and apply your heart when you hear! Needless to say, it depends on whether we take notes when we listen to sermons, write homework for discipleship class, take notes in prayer meetings, and ask questions in Sunday school. Of course, even if we do these things, it doesn’t mean we have anything to boast about. However, these can show our attitude before God, attitude of studiousness, and humility ! God says He will enlighten our hearts! We often say that attitude determines altitude, and this is what we mean. If you give God a good attitude, God will give you the height to know the truth. The height given by God was to “ask her to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Let’s look at the third point:
Growing in fellowship
Once a person knows God and receives the truth of the gospel, the next step is to join the fellowship life of the church. The same is true for Lydia. First, believe and get baptized. Some people may think that it is enough to believe and there is no need to be baptized. In particular, immersion baptism or christening baptism is an act, an expression, and a testimony before joining the church, which may cause some people to have doubts. Rich people like Lydia who are doing business may feel out of place and lost when they come to the church. How can we, who are so rich, associate with poor people like the church? Therefore, they requested the establishment of some so-called industrial and commercial fellowships. The same goes for the fellowships of some universities and research institutes. In short, they cannot go to the churches of ordinary people. Little do you know that the church is the body of Christ. Even the Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life for the church, so what do you have to be proud of? Lydia did not despise the church or its members because she was rich. Instead, her whole family committed themselves to being baptized and joining the church.
Secondly, fellowship with each other. As soon as Lydia believed in the Lord, she treated her brothers and sisters heart-to-heart and communicated openly. This is actually the way for each child of God to communicate with one another, which is to love one another because we are loved by God and love the Lord. The Bible says that it is not we who love, but God who loves us first. The interaction of lives among believers is to feel their love for the Lord. A person who loves the Lord will never love the world. A person who loves the Lord will also love one another in Christ. Lydia said: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,” What does that mean? That is to say, you preached the gospel to me, and I know that you truly believe in the Lord. So, do you also believe that we are true believers in the Lord?
Finally, love one another. After brothers and sisters establish a relationship of mutual trust in their faith, the next step is to love one another. The Bible says that hospitality to people from afar is acceptable to God. Paul and his party are precisely people who came from afar, and they are also the ones who lead us to the Lord. The love of the Lord burned in Lydia’s heart, and she invited Paul and his party to stay at her home, even “prevailed upon us“, which means very warmly. When we truly love one another in the world, the world will recognize us as the Lord’s disciples. Oftentimes I still miss all the people who received me, especially in Trondheim when I first came out to preach the gospel, and later in various European countries, Asia, America, Oceania and other places.
Conclusion
Well, dear brothers and sisters, Lydia’s baptism is the testimony left by a small character while experiencing a great era. It was also the first thing that happened when church history entered Europe from Asia.
Let us pray……
Acts 16:11-15
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the[a] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
