Conversion of Lydia

Acts 16:11-15

Introduction

• Paul and company were directed by the Holy Spirit to go over into Macedonia• In the city of Philippi they found

Lydia at a prayer meeting by a river side

Lydia

• She was from the city of Thyatira about 300 miles from Philippi

• She was “a seller of purple” – this probably refers to dyed cloth • She was “a worshipper of God”• She did not allow her business to

interfere with her worship of God

• She was a long way from home but still worshipped God

Lydia heard the word

• Rom. 10:17• [17] “So then faith cometh by

hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Heb. 11:6

• [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

“Whose heart the Lord Opened”

• How did God open Lydia’s heart?• A miracle• NO• A direct operation of the Holy

Spirit• NO

• The context answers the question•

“[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

• The means that God used to open her heart was the gospel which Paul taught her

Js. 1:21

• [21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

She gave attention to, or heeded, the things that Paul taught

• [14] “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

• “The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” (NKJV)• “to give heed unto the things

which were spoken by Paul.” (ASV)

• She listened to what was taught – believed what was taught and obeyed the commands of the gospel

Mk. 16:15-16

• [15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.• [16] He that believeth and is

baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

She was baptized

• [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

• In every example of conversion in the Book of Acts, people were baptized

1 Pet. 3:21

• [21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Gal. 3:27

• [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Rom. 6:3-4• [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as

were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?• [4] Therefore we are buried with him by

baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Her hospitality

• Immediately after her baptism she began to practice the manner of life that one would expect of a Christian• She offered hospitality to Paul

and those with him

In Conclusion---What did she do?

• She did exactly what people now must do to be saved• “She heard the Word, believed

the Word, obeyed the Word, and lived the Word.”

• What church did she join?• She joined no church – no

denominations existed at that time• The Lord added her to His church

Acts 2:47

• [47] Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

• Have you obeyed the commands of the gospel?