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the House of Lydia

Acts 16:40
"And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed."

Don't underestimate Lydia's importance. She was one of the first Europeans to become Christian. She was an enthusiastic Christian. 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 many ways.

After verse fifteen, which we read yesterday, Paul and Silas cast out a demon from a young lady whom some wicked people used to make money. They had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten, and thrown in jail. The jail experienced an earthquake and Paul and Silas did NOT escape when they had the chance. The warden of the jail is then converted to Christianity and the judges come and set Paul and Silas FREE! 

When they got out of jail, where did they go? Today's verse, "And they went out of the prison, and entered into THE HOUSE of LYDIA: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed." 

Lydia’s house is believed to be the meeting place of Christian, as well as the home away from home for Paul and his party. Philippi became the center of Paul's evangelism for many years. Lydia's generosity made much of Paul's work possible. In Paul's writing, we read how much he cherished the assistance he was given in Philippi. Knowing this helps us understand that it is NOT TOO MUCH to imagine that Lydia took the Gospel to her hometown and started the church in Thyatira. If it wasn't her, it was her family. Her example is very INSPIRING!
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