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bring the Gospel home

Acts 16:15
"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."

Paul and Timothy arrived in the town of Philippi, as they brought Christianity to Europe. There was only a small Jewish community there. On Saturday, the sabbath day for Jews, Paul and Timothy go and meet the people there. In that group is Lydia from Thyatira, and a convert to Judaism. The Holy Ghost opened the hearts and minds of Lydia and others. They are the FIRST Christian converts in Europe! 

Lydia is an enthusiastic new Christian, today's verse; "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." She made herself and her resources available to help the new and growing church. Her PURPLE business was very successful and gave her the wherewithal to help in every way she could. She was part of GOD’S plan to grow and spread the faith. God positioned her there for this purpose.

Later in Revelation 2:18, we read there is a church in Thyatira. There is no record of Paul visiting that city in any of his missionary journeys. There is no record of who might have established that church. Could it be that Lydia is the one who brought the gospel to her hometown? It’s possible, but the Holy Bible doesn’t say.


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