A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul. After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:14-15 (HCSB) Paul after following the Holy Spirit’s leading made his first evangelistic contact with a small group of women. Paul did not allow gender or cultural boundaries from preaching the gospel. He preached to these women and Lydia, an influential merchant, believed. This opened the door for ministry in that region. God often worked in an through women in the early church. Lydia was a merchant in purple cloth, so more than likely she was wealthy. Purple cloth was valuable and expensive. It was often worn as a sign of nobility or royalty. The reason Lydia’s household was baptized was because Lydia responded in faith. The baptism was a public sign of her and her family being identified as believers. We do not know if all members of her household accepted Christ, but we do know that it was a Christian home. Lydia practically begged for the opportunity to be host Paul and Silas in her home. Rather than seeing the men as a burden and their presence as a disruption of her family and business routine, Lydia laid out the welcome mat. The notion of hospitality is related to the word hospital. In other words, we practice hospitality when we generously and cordially take others into our homes. In hospitality we nuture, strengthen, and serve. This often results in others finding physical, spiritual, and emotional help. When they leave, they are healthier and more whole than when they came. Is this your practice? Is your home a hospital for hurting or needy souls?
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 11:30:12 +0000
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