The Conversion of Lydia

Author Unknown

The inspired accounts of conversion recorded in the book of Acts are given to teach us what God wills us to do to be saved. Knowing the present-day confusion which exists on this subject, and the need to clarify the issues of salva­tion by an objective study of the Scriptures, we humbly offer this article for all to con­sider on the conversion of a woman named Lydia, recorded in Acts 16:11-15 (please read this scripture now).

In verse 14, Lydia is described as "from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fab­rics, a worshiper of God." Paul found her and other women in the city of Philippi, in the province of Macedonia, where they were at a riverside on the Sabbath day. In verses 14-15, three facts are recorded which were involved in Lydia's conversion to Jesus Christ: 1) She heard Paul, 2) The Lord opened her heart, 3) She was bap­tized. Let's look at each of these more closely.

Lydia Heard Paul

In verses 6-10 of this chapter, there is recorded how Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke came to Macedonia. The Holy Spirit had for­bidden them to go where they had first pur­posed (Asia), and a second time they were forbidden to go into Bithynia. The vi­sion Paul received in Troas, wherein a man of Macedonia was beseeching help, brought Paul and company to conclude God willed they preach the gospel there. An important lesson to be observed here is that in order for Lydia to be saved, she of necessity had to hear the gospel of Christ. Too, in order for her to hear the gospel, a preacher had to be sent (see Romans 10:14-15). Conse­quently, Lydia had faith in Jesus Christ, for faith comes as a result of hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17; see also John 20:30-31). Just as the apos­tle Peter was sent to the house of Corne­lius to "speak words to you by which you will be saved" (Acts 11:14), so Paul and company came to Macedonia proclaiming the saving grace of God in the gospel of Christ.

The Lord Opened Lydia’s Heart

We may first ask this question: "What caused Lydia's heart to be closed?"  Some will respond it was because of "original sin," referring to the denominational doctrine which says man inherits the guilt of Adam's sin (the first man), and therefore, he is born totally depraved - '~the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature in­clined to evil, and that continually" (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, pg. 38) But is this the description of Lydia? Was she, before her conversion, unable to do good and inclined to evil con­tinually?  Absolutely not!  The scriptures show her as a worshiper of God, at a place of prayer (vs. 14). Though she was just a visitor of Philippi, she nonetheless wor­shiped when she traveled (an example that puts some professed Christians today to shame). More so, she worshiped on the Sabbath; the command to "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy" was not uni­versally accepted in this Gentile city. None­theless, we see this woman closing her busi­ness to obey this Old Testament command, even when the majority of her competitors probably remained open for business. Even more, she worshiped without a proper meeting house, choosing to meet on a river bank. How many today, in their "worship", are dependent more on the convenience of an air-conditioned building with padded pews, than they are conviction to please God? Does Lydia, in her unconverted state, put us to shame?

Lydia, like Cornelius in Acts 10:1-2, pre­sents a person of good moral character, but who were nonetheless lost in their sins and in need of salvation in Christ Jesus. Lydia's heart was closed because she was uninformed of the salvation in Christ, and instead attempted to serve God by the law of Moses, a system of worship and service which was abolished by the death of Jesus on the cross (Colossians 2:14). In its place, was established a new and better covenant by the blood of Jesus instead of the blood of bulls and goats (Hebrews 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:14-17; 10:1-4). Therefore, we all are brought under obligation to the law of Christ for our salvation through His blood and our acceptable service in every good work (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14). Sadly, there are many who, as Paul described, "...at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it was done away in Christ” (2 Corin­thians 3:14). Lydia's example teaches that man cannot be saved by keeping the Law of Moses (Romans 3:20; Gal. 3:11).

But we also ask, what was the result of Lydia's heart being opened? This is an­swered in verse 14: "...to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul." Upon hearing the gospel of Christ, she had her understanding made clear so that she could obey what was commanded. Her heart was not opened by some mysterious and miraculous operation of the Holy Spirit, but by the message of the gospel preached - "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). Why is it so difficult for some to accept the free moral agency of man, with the power to choose good over evil? It is God's wisdom that through gospel preaching/teaching, people can be saved (1 Corinthians 1:21; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:22-25).

Lydia Was Baptized

Why? For the same reason Jesus com­manded all to be baptized in Mark 16:16- to be saved! For the same reason Peter told the Jews on Pentecost to be baptized in Acts 2:38 - for the remission of sins! For the same reason that Ananias told Paul him­self to be baptized in Acts 22:16 - to wash away his sins! Lydia learned of the necessity of water baptism for the remission of her sins when she heard the gospel preached by Paul on that riverbank. It was the same gospel Philip preached to the Ethiopian which led to his baptism (Acts 8:35-38).

In conclusion, we observe from Ephesians 4:5 that there is "one baptism". Baptism is not a work of human merit, but a response of faith in obeying what the Lord commands (Colossians 2:12). It is in baptism that one is brought into contact with the spiritual cleansing from sins effected by the blood of Jesus (Romans 6:34). And, it is in baptism that one "puts on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). Would you not be saved like Lydia? &

[Via Search, Vol. 14, No. 10, Jan., 2008]

The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Conclusion)

By Bob Myhan

Remember, that, while He was yet with them, Jesus promised the apostles that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5), that the Holy Spirit would “guide [them] into all truth” (John 16:13) and would give them “power” (Acts 1:8). The various manifesta­tions of this “power” were referred to by Paul as “the signs of an apos­tle” (2 Cor. 12:12). One specific manifestation was the ability to be­stow, via the laying on of hands, miracu­lous, spiritual gifts (Acts 8:14-19; 19:1-6; 2 Tim. 1:6). Paul men­tioned several of these gifts in his first epistle to the Corinthians.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. ( 1 Cor. 12:7-11)

These gifts were limited in duration to the first century. Their purpose was to comple­ment the work of the apostles in revealing and confirming the word of God [New Testa­ment] (Mark 16:17-20; Heb. 2:2-4). They be­longed to the infancy of the church and were to cease when revelation was com­plete and the church had grown into man­hood. (1 Cor. 13:8-12)

The dozen or so disciples in the city of Ephesus received the gift of tongues and the gift of prophecy (Acts 19:6). We are not told what gifts the disciples in Samaria re­ceived, only that “they received the Holy Spirit.” Simon’s reaction (verses 18-19) indicates this was miraculous. The gift received by those in the home of Cornelius was the ability to "speak with tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:44-46). They were given this gift without the laying on of an apostle's hands to show that Gentiles had a right to hear and obey the gospel without first having to be physi­cally circumcised (Acts 10:25-47; 11:1-18).

In light of the immediate context of Acts 2 and the remote context of Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 19, Mark 16 and Joel 2, the most likely meaning of the phrase, “the gift of the Holy Spirit,” is “the gift which the Holy Spirit will give.” These gifts are no longer given be­cause they are no longer needed. Thus, “the gift of the Holy Spirit” is not prom­ised to anyone living today. &