Lydia

I am a business woman in the city of Philippi. I provide the purple dye make from the secretion of a species of mollusk and purple-dyed textiles which are greatly sought for by the people in the markets. I'm easily recognized on the streets of Philippi, for often I dress in purple myself.

I'm a native of Thyatira in western Asia Minor. But now I conduct my business at Philippi, a city of eastern Macedonia on the great east-west Egnation Highway between Rome and Asia. I am a Gentile, among Gentiles. But I am set apart because I worship the one God of the Jews. I have a burning desire to know better the wonders and powers of the one God. I joined with some other women to become a small group of worshipers. It was our habit to meet on the bank of the River Gangites (the modern Angista). Its banks offered peace and quiet away from the city's populous hill section.

About this time, Paul and his companion Silas came over from Troas. And they came into the midst of our gathering. We listened to Paul as he related his story of the new gospel proclaimed in Jerusalem by Jesus Christ and now spreading westward into Macedonia. As I listened, the Lord opened my heart and I "attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Believing in what he had to say, I and my household were baptized. Then I said to Paul and Silas, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And at my urging, they accepted my hospitality. And in return I had the opportunity to learn more from them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our friendship has continued, and they and others bearing the story of Jesus are always welcome in my home. It was to my house that Paul and Silas returned when they were released from prison. They had been cast into prison because of the complaint of some men who had been exploiting a demented girl as a soothsayer. Paul healed the child, and the men were angry about their financial loss. Even in prison though, Paul and Silas were fearless Christians. They sang and prayed, and a great earthquake opened the prison doors. The keeper of the prison was so moved at these wonders that he became a convert to the new faith before Paul and Silas departed (Acts 15:40). Arriving at my home, they told of their experiences to me and others who gathered to rejoice with us.

My name is the same as the area in Asia Minor from which I come. My former home of Thyatira was within its limits.The Lydian market, as it was called, had enjoyed for generations a wide and valuable trade throughout the Graeco-Roman world. So I am actually an Asian, but living and working now in Philippi, you might say that I was the first European convert to Christianity. My name is . . . LYDIA.

Lydia

Acts 16:14, 40