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PURPLE Lydia

Acts 16:14
"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."

This is a monumental moment for the world. Christianity is stepping out of the Middle East and into Europe! Paul and Timothy, approximately seventeen years after the resurrection, arrived in the town of Philippi. There was only a small Jewish community there. They did not even have a synagogue. Without a building to meet in the Jewish people went out of town to the riverside for worship and prayers. On Saturday, the sabbath day for Jews, Paul and Timothy go and meet the people there. 

Here they meet Lydia, recorded in today's verse; "And a certain woman named LYDIA, a seller of PURPLE, of the city of THYATRIA, which WORSHIPPED God, HEARD us: whose heart the Lord OPENED, that she ATTENDED unto the things which were spoken of Paul." Thyatira, in the valley of the Lycus, was famous for its dyeing works, especially PURPLE. PURPLE cloth was like designer fashions, highly valued and lucrative. Scholars speculate that Lydia was a convert to Judaism. She would have been attracted to the higher ethical and spiritual teachings. On this picturesque day, by the gently flowing river, Paul spoke to this group of Jewish women and the Holy Ghost opened the hearts and minds of Lydia and likely others. They are the FIRST Christian converts in Europe! They will be instrumental in spreading the Gospel message!
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