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against conventions

Acts 16:13
"13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither."

Paul's conversion was miraculous. Paul's lasting contribution is the letters he wrote to the churches he helped get started. In Paul's travels he covered 10,000 miles! For reference, from San Antonio, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska is 4,000 miles! He often went into strange towns and proclaimed the Gospel. Sometimes he was beaten, nearly to death. Seemingly, all he knew was to proclaim the Gospel.

The Roman Empire ruled this part of the world. They were brutal rulers who maintained the rule of law. This created a society that could prosper and thrive. They built a network of roads that allowed travel and trade. God used these assets of the Roman Empire to get His message out!

At this point, Paul arrived in Philippi, a community of retired Roman soldiers. It was a prosperous town that benefited from lots of trade serving the residents. Paul is looking for people who are knowledgeable about the Holy Scriptures and faithful to the true God. Going against social conventions, Paul talks to women. This is NOT something he learned in school as a young Jewish man.

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