“On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.” –Acts 16:13-15
One character that is often overlooked in the Bible is Lydia. Although Lydia only appears in chapter 16, we can learn a lot from her life and her ministry. Lydia was a woman of business and a woman of worship. She responded to the call of God, chose to follow Him, being baptized and leading her household to do the same. Paul and Silas believed her testimony of faith, accepting the condition of her invitation into her home. These men of God trusted her. In this very act of hospitality, Lydia showed an understanding of what it is to follow Christ – putting her faith into action by giving shelter to her Lord’s servants. And it didn’t stop there. She continued to have “believers” meet in her home and hear about Jesus (Acts 16:40). She hosted church in her home.
The first and arguably most important life lesson from Lydia is to have an open heart. Referring to Lydia, in Acts 16:14 it says “…As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.” Following that, The Bible says Lydia “and her household were baptized” (Act 16:15). In other words, her open heart led her and her household to receive the gospel.
If we are not careful, we can lose sight of the Lydia’s of the world. While there are countless Biblical stories about giving, money, and wealth; Lydia challenges us to reflect on our role of being prepared for the moment, seeking something bigger than ourselves, and being willing to invite others to experience what we have experienced. Verse 15 illuminates that the Lord opened her heart and that she was a “true believer in the Lord.”
If you are willing and available, God can and will use you in powerful ways. It is not about us. It is not about our ability. It is not about how successful we are. It is about ordinary people trusting the outcome of our life and our service to an extraordinary God.“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”(John 15:16)
Discussion Questions:
- Doyoubelieve that God can do great things – impossible things – through your life? Why or why not?
- What are your abilities and gifts that could help make a difference in the lives of people around you?
- What are some of the obstacles that prevent us from getting involved in the needs of the community around us? What can we do to overcome them?
FAQs
The first and arguably most important life lesson from Lydia is to have an open heart. Referring to Lydia, in Acts 16:14 it says “… As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.” Following that, The Bible says Lydia “and her household were baptized” (Act 16:15).
Why is Lydia so important in the Bible? ›
Lydia had formal authority over her household, and members of the home were members of the church. She had presumably shared the good news about Jesus with her household and subsequently prepared them for Christian baptism (Acts 16:15).
What kind of woman was Lydia in the Bible? ›
Luke calls her “a dealer in purple cloth” and a God fearer or worshipper of God. Lydia was a successful businesswoman who sold luxury textiles dyed purple. It was only the wealthy who wore garments dyed purple or had purple furnishings in their homes.
What does it mean that Lydia was a seller of purple? ›
Lydia of Thyatira is most known as a "seller" or merchant of purple cloth, which is the likely reason for the Catholic Church naming her "patroness of dyers." It is unclear as to if Lydia simply dealt in the trade of purple dye or whether her business included textiles as well, though all known icons of the saint ...
What are some important facts about Lydia in the Bible? ›
She was seemingly the first Gentile convert in Europe and the first believer to open her home as a worship center for European Christians. This benefited not only Paul and the early church but also the lives of future generations of believers.
What is the spiritual meaning of the name Lydia? ›
According to Coleman Baker, "Lydia is described as a “worshipper of God" (probably synonymous with "God-fearer," used elsewhere in Acts) "from the city of Thyatira" (located in Western Asia Minor) and "a dealer in purple cloth" (a luxury item in the ancient Mediterranean).
What did Lydia learn about Jesus? ›
She had her own house and workers. Lydia worshipped God, but she did not know about Jesus. So Paul began to talk to Lydia and tell her about Jesus. Jesus was God's Son, and he had died on the cross for her sins.
What is the purpose of Lydia? ›
LYDIA POSTPIL is thought to work by: stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg; • preventing sperm from fertilising any egg you may have already released. LYDIA POSTPIL can only prevent you becoming pregnant if you take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It does not work if you are already pregnant.
How did Lydia demonstrate courage, strength, and trust? ›
Lydia offered God courageous hospitality by making room in her heart for God through baptism. She also offered Paul and his companions courageous hospitality, making room in her home for her new gospel companions.
Did Lydia in the Bible have a husband? ›
The Bible does not say but I think if she had a husband the passage would have mentioned him. She may have been widowed. Act 16:14 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.
Wealth, authority, royalty, and priestly conduct are some of the associations made in the Bible with the color purple. Among the Israelites, purple, along with other colors like blue, white, and scarlet, were used in the Tabernacle and the garments of the High Priest to signify professionalism, dignity, and power.
Who baptized Lydia in the Bible? ›
It was by the river at Philippi that Paul is said to have baptised Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, between 49 and 50 AD – an iconic baptism because it is believed to be the first baptism on the continent of Europe; by performing it, Paul supposedly laid the foundations for a Judeo-Christian European civilisation ( ...
Why was Lydia admired in the Bible? ›
Lydia appears in Acts 16. Described as "a dealer in purple cloth," Lydia is a successful businesswoman—and very hospitable (Acts 16:14). After converting to Christianity, she opens her home to Paul and his companions. Both Tabitha and Lydia filled leadership roles in the early Christian church.
What do we learn about God and his character in the life of Lydia? ›
What do we learn about God and His character in the life of Lydia? We learn that God always has a plan for us and provides! God chased Lydia down and then later used her gifts and faithfulness to help Paul and Silas later. We may not always understand how God's plan will play out, but He always has one.
Did Lydia in the Bible have children? ›
We don't know if Lydia was divorced or widowed when she arrived in Philippi, but some scholars contend she was a single mom with multiple children.
What are the qualities of Lydia? ›
Here are the takeaways from Lydia's strong faith in the Lord: She has large clout and huge respect from the people in her surrounding environment. Right away she obeys and gets baptized. Lydia has a servant's heart and uses her happy hospitality to host a larger group of men.
Why was Lydia baptized in the Bible? ›
Lydia, who traded in purple cloth, was a God fearing woman, which could mean either a righteous Gentile or one of the “God-fearers,” Gentiles who were attracted to the Jewish religion. She heard Paul's message and was soon baptized, along with the rest of her household.
How did Lydia hear the Gospel? ›
Lydia was a God fearer like Cornelius (Acts 10), and many others, that since the day of Pentecost, had received in their hearts the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the place of prayer it is written that “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:14b).
