I had been discussing regeneration with reform people, mainly Calvinists, ex-Calvinists, and Im not, but I have concluded in my studies that the word regeneration only applies to the Jews. I am preaching a lecture on Women in Acts in the fall and so appreciated this well written, well researched, and passionate look at a women in scripture who I consider so influential, yet one so easily glanced over. Third, Lydia was a courageous woman. Thank you, Marg! There Paul met Lydia, a Gentile who became the first Christian convert in Europe: "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. Her house became the first house church in Europe. (LSJs entry is here.). Acts 16:15 mentions her conversion to the Christian faith. When Paul spoke, her heart was opened. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [15] These molluscs are predatory, intertidal snails of theBolinus (formerly Murex) genus. She was originally from the city of Thyatira, in the Roman province of Asia, across the Aegean Sea from Philippi. Seldom would someone (proudly) say that a woman earns the majority, or at least half of, the income for a family. The church in Samaria began with Philip's preaching the word ( Acts 8 ). Yes, we are all new creatures ONCE we believe. Either that happened to Lydia and her family, or she married someone from Philippi or decided to take her trade there for an unknown reason. and if theres any outstanding characteristic of the church at Philippi, it is joy. First, she shows that honest jobs are not lesser jobs. Lydia may have been a patron of the Jewish community at Philippi. Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4-5ff). Lydia the Purple-Seller. Divorce was easy under Roman law and it was common, and in most cases it did not result in any sense of scandal or stigma. Sadly, apart from Acts 16, we dont see any other explicit instances where Lydia appears. madison 60 (CC BY-SA 3.0) (Wikimedia Commons). The statement that God had to open her heart was the clue for me regarding regeneration. And, when reading Deuteronomy 29:4, which is referenced in Romans 9-11, you see that the Jews are in a spirit of slumber (they do worship God), but there is a remnant that isnt. The meaning of the name Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool. The word "helper," then, is not to be understood as an expression of submission and service to man; rather, the woman as helper serves God with man. It is well documented that some Gentiles were attracted to the monotheism and the morality of Judaism. Acts 9:36-43 introduces us to Tabitha. Crucial to this idea is the fact that the author of Acts, traditionally thought to be Luke, often uses third-person plural they language when writing about Paul and his coworkers, but at other times uses first-person plural we language. Lydia is identified as a God-worshipper (sebomen ton theon), sometimes translated as God-fearer. After a time Paul received word this church had departed from its initial foundation. She was probably widowed or perhaps divorced. Lydia ran a successful business selling a luxury product: purple cloth. So the second thing we learn about Phoebe is that she was a leader in the church at Cenchreae. Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn (Hesiod, Works and Days). Timothys name inexplicably reappears in Acts 17:14-15 when the missionaries are in Berea. Lydia sets the pattern for other significant female leaders in the mission amongst the wider gentile world that Paul (according to Acts) was spearheading. heresy. When Paul and Silas (and possibly Luke) first arrived in Philippi, they spent some time in the city and then went to a river bank, hoping to find a place of worship. 26; 27:16; 36:8, 35-37). They use the word to say that God must first give you faith in order for you to believe, and they call that regeneration. A healthy church needs every member and the gifts they bring. So she responded immediately, and also insisted that her whole family be baptized as well: When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. And earlier in Acts we are told when John Mark joined Barnabas and Paul (Acts 12:25) and when he left them (Acts 13:13). And it changed her life. Chapter 2 records the beginning of the Church. Paul was a devout follower of Jesus, whose dealings with women indicated that they could teach and lead in whatever way God led them. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413. [2] It is not known if the rule found in the Babylonian Talmud, Megillah 23bthat a synagogue needed to have a quorum of at least ten adult male members, known as aminyanwas universally observed in the mid-first century CE. Paul made it his practice to select urban centers along busy highways for his missionary efforts and had great success. 65581. But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. This is the story of Lydia in the Bible. I am new to your site but wish to exclaim I love to hear about Lydia and the Church of Philippi, her generosity to Paul and the lord Jesus Christ. Her example of stewardship shows we cannot pay God back for our salvation, but we do have an obligation to support the church and its missionary efforts. We have just begun a small storyline. Lydia is probably my favourite New Testament woman. It's also possible Lydia may have returned to her home town of Thyatira and was active in the church there. Wealthy Women in the Roman World and in the Church If Macedonia produced perhaps the most competent group of men the world had yet seen, the women were in all respects the mens counterparts; they played a large part in affairs, received envoys and obtained concessions for them from their husbands, built temples, founded cities, engaged mercenaries, commanded armies, held fortresses, and acted on occasion as regents or even co rulers. These women played a pioneering role in the spreading of the gospel. Gentiles, as in Cornelius, there is no mention that God opened up his heart. I have studied Religious Studies at the University level for 3 semesters but learned of Lydia through my lovely wife Judith who adores Lydia. We dont know much about Lydias husband, but we do know it was seen as a good practice for women to remain indoors and attend to household duties. Margaret Mowczko 2017 Beers explains the connection between women and meals: "Because women were almost always in charge of the food in their extended family groups, organizing and hosting this meal for the assembly would have provided natural opportunities for women to . In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man, who is presumably Jewish, is described as being dressed in purple and fine linen (Luke 16:19). [3] The word proseuchoccurs in Greek literature and in Greek inscriptions where it refers to a building belonging to, or being used by, the Jews of the Diaspora (i.e. We learn in Acts 16 that, while born and reared to believe in the gods and goddesses of Thyatira, Lydia did not worship the pantheon of gods venerated in her hometown. Junia, as one example, experienced this first-hand when she was imprisoned (Rom. The hymn that Jesus and the disciples . [14], Skeins dyed naturally with madder root. The thankful, healed Samaritan leper is also presented in a favourable light (Luke 17:11-19). Lydia: Seller of Purple in the Book of Acts. Luke says "the Lord opened Lydia's heart to believe." This is similar to Luke 24:45; Jesus opens the hearts of his disciples so that they could understand the scripture. Thank you. Lydia presumably told members of her household, who followed her lead and were baptised with her. Paul's collection for the church in Jerusalem is also called diakonia (Acts 11:29; 12:25) and Paul often refers to himself as a diakonos (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 6:4). And Roman soldiers dressed Jesus in a purple robe in order to mock and humiliate him (Mark 15:16-20). It was only the wealthy elite who wore garments dyed purple or trimmed with purple, or had soft furnishings in their homes, such as couch covers, that were purple. [16] There is no mention of a husband or a father in her story. Today, many more bishops and scholars, etc, are also acknowledging this. She was a worshiper of God. When she and her household had been baptized, she prevailed upon the men to . ~ The women became believers in Jesus as Messiah and then told others about their experience. They first traveled to the Roman colony of Philippi, one of the most important cities in Macedonia. ~ They providentially met with women who were quasi-Jews: a God-fearer and a Samaritan. Your research sounds interesting. And, as Lydia heard the gospel, God opened her heart so that she received the life-giving message. I come from a complementarian background. 34-37) "The oral proclamation of the gospel was a fundamental element of the missionary work of the early church.". They inspire me to be a risk-taking leader (appropriate risks, of course.) Very few businesswomen are mentioned in the New Testament. how does lydia help paul and the early church. [14] In Pauls letter to the Philippians and in Acts chapter 16 there are more names given of women who belonged to the Philippian church (Lydia, Euodia, Syntyche) than names of men (Epaphroditus, Clement). Purple and other yarns were used in the curtains of the Tabernacle (Exod. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 This article looks at Lydia who is mentioned in just a few verses in the New Testament. The Birth of a Nation, originally called The Clansman, is a 1915 American silent epic drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish.The screenplay is adapted from Thomas Dixon Jr.'s 1905 novel and play The Clansman.Griffith co-wrote the screenplay with Frank E. Woods and produced the film with Harry Aitken.. Have you seen this tag? 4:23-24). how does lydia help paul and the early church. Through that occupation, she met Paul and accommodated him and his friends. Her household may have included family members, servants, and hired laborers. Second, after she and her entire family accepts Jesus Christ and are baptized, they invite Paul and Silas (a ministry companion of Pauls) into their home. During that time, she would have received (directly and indirectly) a theological and pastoral education from the apostle so that she was equipped to care for the church when Paul moved on to bring the gospel to other Macedonian cities. There is no mention of Cornelius needing God to open his heart. According to Acts, Paul typically began a new mission in each new city by connecting with the local Jewish population. Since Lydia's husband is not mentioned but she was a householder, scholars have speculated she was a widow who brought her late husband's business to Philippi. After all, she sells purple dye, her whole family gets baptized, and she provides a means for Paul to have a temporary home. : https://margmowczko.com/tag/women-in-acts/ It takes you to a few other women in Acts as well as Lydia. And among those who became part of the early church, there were also members of the upper class. Samaritan. William Tarn,Hellenistic Civilisation, ThirdEdition (New York, NY: World, 1952), 98. Acts 16:15which begins with, When she and her household (ho oikos auts) were baptisedmakes it clear that it was her household. Priscilla and Aquila were also good friends of and ministry partners with Paul (Romans 16:3). Finding a group of women, Paul engaged one of them, Lydia, in conversation. [21] Ancient inscriptions survive that show a few women were even called leaders of synagogues. Lydia and Rahab: Two Faith-filled Women Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1 We need to note a few things. Ways women participated in the early Church. Lydia had come from Thyatira, in western Asia Minor, and was a dealer in purple cloth. He. Anyway, thats what I believe. Thank you so much for the information about Lydia. However, even though dying (and also tanning) often involved the use of unclean materials, that didnt stop the Israelites and Jewish people using dyed (and also leather) products including purple (Hebrew: argaman; Greek: porphyra). It is likely Lydia had no surviving adult male relatives. How Do We Know What God's Best for Us Is? [7] Compare, for example, the lack of descriptive information about the unnamed men and women in the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea, mentioned in Acts 14:4 and 12, or even about Jason, mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. Lately, I have been stretched in my thinking on women in leadership. Check out her books at hopebolinger.comfor clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Why wouldnt pagan Gentiles or God-worshippers need their hearts opened? [13], Even though her name tells us nothing concrete, the fact that Lydia is named at all is significant. She was a "worshiper of God," probably a proselyte, or convert to Judaism. The Bible says that the meat of shellfish must not be eaten (Lev. It was in Lydias home that the church at Philippi first gathered (cf. Have a good weekend. And it is thought that James and John came from a flourishing fishing business. I appreciate that you were the very first person to subscribe to my new blog. Lydia's story shows God works through people by opening their hearts to help them believe the good news. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1995), 74. But its also possible to come and get a lot out of the sermon because you listen eagerly, expecting to hear something that is meaningful or new or challenging. Finally, Lydia shows us that we also need to show hospitality. [18] Other New Testament women, who seem to be homeowners and independent of husbands or fathers, were Martha of Bethany (Luke 10:38), Mary of Jerusalem (Acts 12:12ff), Chloe of Corinth (1 Cor. This is a trustworthy saying. Titus 3:4ff She carried out her business in her home. The account is enriched by historical details of the social and cultural realities of those times. Dear Marg, thanks to God for all those comments. No doubt, that man was well-known in his region for his wealth. [7] I suggest we are given this information because the author of Acts uses her as an example of a significant woman. God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and that includes ordinary workplaces. The inscription reads: Rufina, a Jewess synagogue ruler [archisynaggos], built this tomb for her freed slaves and the slaves raised in her household. Id say we probably, at least, know some of the same people. God didnt put the Gentiles in a spirit of slumber. I think we may have studied with similar tutors. God-worshippers (or God-fearers) was an idiom that referred to Gentile adherents to Judaism. Lydia's life proves that one can work a "worldly" job and use it as a ministry. Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3:5-6, where he lists seven things ascribed to him or achieved by him: He states that he was "circumcised on the eighth day.". The word "helper" ( 'ezer ), when used of a person in the Old Testament, always refers to God (in 29 places) apart from one reference to David. So, Im thinking that Lydia was certainly a Jew by that alone, and the opening of the heart is the regeneration, because we are told in Deuteronomy. I hadnt thought of that before. Matthew the tax collector was probably well-to-do. Why is Lydia Important in the Bible Lydia's faith is apparent in her actions. On the practical side, Lydias experience of running a largish household and of running a business would have been useful in managing and caring for a congregation. [9] Richard Ascough writes: Some scholars suggest that the name Lydia may be an ethnic appellation that designates her place of origin, as Luke indicates she was originally from Thyatira, a city in a place called Lydia. (1) Women helped prepare the Lord's Supper. [20] In the first decades of the churchs existence, almost all Christian converts were either Jews or they were Gentiles with some kind of affiliation or sympathy with Judaism. A Reexamination of the Purpurarii in Thyatira and Philippi, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin 62 (2017): 3-29. The fellowship in Philippi was the first European church founded by Paul. Purple dye was a symbol of power and honor in the ancient world, and it was the most expensive and sought after dye in the Roman world. Lydia later puts this wealth to good use by showing Paul and his companions hospitality and putting them up in her home. The role of Pauline house churches in missionary activities seems to have been dictated by Paul's missionary philosophy. There, Paul found a group of women and began to share the story of the Lord, Jesus Christ. She would have been a great co-worker with Paul and his companions. Fairchild, Mary. When Paul met the couple in Corinth, they were already believers; and . The church at Corinth began with Paul at the end of the second missionary journey ( Acts . We are told her name, that she was a dealer in purple cloth, that she was originally from the city of Thyatira, and that she was a God-worshipper. Considering the descriptions in Acts of other people who Paul meets on his missions, an appreciable amount of information is given about Lydia. When she took Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke into her house, she created one of the first home churches in Europe. She was not afraid to take chances. (lol) Thats just my preference and God bless you and your family. The Birth of a Nation is a landmark of film history, lauded for its . I will sincerely like to know more about you and every biblical article youve ever published. Second,Lydia may have experienced the Diaspora, or a diaspora of sorts, if she had to travel from Thyatira to Philippi. Paul and his party may have spent several weeks staying with Lydia (cf. They were not silent in the churches or ineffective in evangelism. She and her entire household were baptized, as was the custom in those days. [19] The Greek word sebomai is used several times in Acts to refer to Gentile adherents to Judaism in Acts 13:43, 50, 16:14, 17:4, 17, and 18:7. A comprehensive review of the birth of the the Christian Church and its spread through the known world through the tireless work of the disciples, in particular Paul inspired by The Holy Spirit. And a purple cloth was used to cover the ashes of burnt offerings in the Tabernacle (Num. Romans often persecuted and scattered the Jews. [12] Ascough, Lydia, 6-7. The Samaritan woman gave Jesus well water, but He gave her ______ water. Photo credit: Unsplash/the_modern_life_mrs. Its a word only used twice in the whole bible. This may have been the first church planted on European soil, and its pastor was a woman. Whatever her marital status, Lydias home was relatively spacious. Even if I originally wrote an article for a journal, magazine, or book chapter, I have posted it on this website also. Luke 10:5-7). I believe that regeneration is for the Jews, not the Gentiles, all because of the slumber that they are in. And a church was established in Samaria (Acts 9:31; 15:3 CEB; cf. By clicking on this Category or this Tag, under the title above, youll see many other articles about Bible Women and Brave Bible Women. Furthermore, she seems to have been a spiritually receptive person. Us includes both Jews and Gentiles in the church at Crete. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. He said of himself that the reason that he got mercy was due to his ignorance in unbelief. See Richard S. Ascough, Lydia, Pauls Cosmopolitan Hostess (Pauls Social Network: Brothers and Sisters in the Faith) (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009), 2-3; and especially Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol. The fact that Lydia appears in several instances in one chapter shows she had a strong impact on Pauls ministry, as catalogued by the historian Luke. Lydia opens her home. Before leaving Philippi, Paul visited Lydia once more. A third possibility is that the author occasionally switches to we language to give the narrative a more vivid and immediate feel. Further, she was baptized and brought salvation to her entire household, an early example of how to win the souls of those closest to us. (The same verb occurs in Luke 24:29 in a similar context.). Paul would soon have run out of team members if he did. I look forward to seeing what you do with her story. No matter the case, she probably had some frustrations from uprooting from her hometown. tribune. Paul was on his second missionary journey when he had a vision of a man who pleaded with him, Come over to Macedonia and help us! The apostle responded to the vision by gathering his team and quickly setting off across the Aegean Sea for Macedonia, the northern region of modern-day Greece. Gentiles dont need that. God rerouted Paul and friends and also ensured that Lydia would be in the right place at the right time to encounter Paul and hear the good news of Jesus. Most of us have a lot of unlearning to do. And when Paul and Silas, who were staying in her home and teaching about a new religion, were arrested and put in jail, she did not put the church out of her home, but continued to host these men and the church that had begun meeting there. The Greek verb used here, parabiazomai, reflects the Middle-Eastern custom of initially refusing an offer only to have it repeated and accepted on a second or third occasion. Greg Forbes and Scott Harrower, Raised from Obscurity: A Narratival and Theological Study of the Characterization of Women in Luke-Acts (Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2015) 187. [15] A relatively less expensive and more reddish dye, known today as Turkey red, was extracted from the root of the madder plant (Rubia tinctorum). As she heard the word of God she was moved to act upon the things Paul was saying. Carrie Underwood Sings 'Go Rest High On That Mountain' to Honor Vince Gill, What We Can Do Today to Reach People in Need, 10 Ways to Deal with the Difficult People in Your Church, 7 Ways to Study the Bible Like Billy Graham, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God. 2 and 3:14). He calls himself "of the people of Israel.". Phoebe (the name means "bright" or "radiant": Apollo and Diana, the god and goddess of the sun and moon respectively, were often referred to as "Phoebos" and "Phoebe"), was a Diakonos of the Church at Chenchreae, the eastern seaport of the city of Corinth. The woman and man sin together (Genesis 3:1-7). Purple symbolised royalty and prestige. Would that be asking too much? Watercolour and ink portrait of Lydia bySarah Beth Baca. And many blessings on your ministry. Thank you for taking the pain to do this work and may God almighty reward you beyond your widest imagination. [22] For example, a second-century CE inscription from Smyrna mentions a woman named Rufina who was a synagogue ruler. Lydia made and sold the expensive purple fabric worn only by the wealthy elite. Prints of this portrait can be purchasedhere. All rights reserved. Jesus, Women, and Theology: Jesus said to her Priscilla: a woman co-founds the Church. The two Greek words used in verses 13 and 14 here are simple words for "speak" in Greek. They cared for local congregations and were vital and strategic players at the forefront of the expanding Christian mission. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy left for Thessalonica, Luke stayed behind, perhaps to help build up the church, or perhaps because he wanted to check out the famous medical school in Philippi, since he was a doctor. Because ancient Philippi had no synagogue, the few Jews in that city gathered on the bank of the Krenides River for sabbath worship where they could use the water for ritual washings. Like Jesus told Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but my Father in heaven. This is the work of a genius. "Lydia: Seller of Purple in the Book of Acts." In case youre interested I have articles on King Lemuels mother here, and Euodia and Syntyche here. "Lydia: Seller of Purple in the Book of Acts." [1] The Greek noun used for man in Acts 16:9 (anr) is typically used for an adult male. In today's reading from Acts (16: 9-15), Lydia invites Paul and his companions to stay at her home. [22] Other women were patrons of synagogues and were prominent and influential in their Jewish communities. [26] While the Jews regarded the Samaritans as outside of Gods favour and mercy, this is not how the New Testament portrays them. Often churches can place holier jobs on a pedestal. Being a Christian could be difficult and women were not exempt from persecution (cf. Aristotle believed men had far superior building blocks than that of women. 8:15). Lydias name was not an uncommon one, and it may not provide any real insight into her status or identity. The brother of radio host Rush Limbaugh, he lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife and children. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 4:13). She was prepared to hear what Paul had to say. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. Craig Keener notes, Many purple-dye merchants in Rome were freedwomen in this period. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage? She was also a religious seeker. a Jewish ritual performed when a boy is eight days old. Although composed primarily of those who were poor, the church sent supplies to Paul several times. She was already a person open to the word of God, a worshiper of God. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped provide for those working a holy job. [11] A Sardian named Julia Lydia and an Ephesian named Julia Lydia Laterane (I. Eph 424a) were of high station. Keener, Acts, (Google Books). She was immediately baptized in the river and her household along with her. We dont know why Lydia made the move, whether she married a foreigner or had to leave due to Roman persecution. Tyrian purple, a dye derived from marine molluscs, was especially costly. For the first principle of the movement whereby that which comes into being is male, is better and more divine than the material whereby it is female (Aristotle). However, there are arguments that some of these writings are post-Pauline interpolations. God "opened her heart" to pay close attention to Paul's preaching, a supernatural gift causing her conversion. He taught one's only basis for the forgiveness of sins is faith in the merits of Christ's sacrificial death. God is the one who has to clear the scales off of their eyes. Paul and his party may have spent several weeks staying with Lydia (cf. The story of Pauls meeting with Lydia near a river reminds me of the story of Jesus taking the unusual journey through Samaria and his meeting with a woman at Jacobs well in Sychar. The Jews would not walk through____________ because they despised the people who lived there. For what its worth, Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, (d. 407), Atto, Bishop of Vercelli, (885-961), and Adolf von Harnack, biblical scholar and historian, (1851-1930), and no doubt others throughout the course of the churchs history, have acknowledged that women were ministers and leaders in the very early church. Her story is recorded in Acts 16: Reuters. But, the Jews are in a spirit of slumberuntilGod has to open up their eyes. In just the act of taking the time to talk with her, Christ began breaking down the barriers to her heart. Your email address will not be published. And that is my contention with Calvinists, too. This was a unique achievement for a woman during the male-dominated Roman empire. The first person to hear and respond to the Good News. I was prayed for by my spiritual father during my ordination, and he mentioned that I am Lydia the woman with the purple. But there were exceptions. But I noticed something different between the two. Furthermore, if we rely on the evidence of the first to the third person narrative, and assume Luke is present during the we passages in Acts 16, it seems he did not stay around in Philippi when Paul and Silas were imprisoned.
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