Lydia
Gentile Of Thyatira, living at Philippi; a worshipper of God (generally understood to be a Gentile) · Early Church · New Testament
- Role
- Seller of purple; first recorded convert in Europe
- When
- c. AD 50
What they did
At a place of prayer by the river at Philippi, the Lord opened her heart to Paul's message; she and her household were baptised and she opened her home to the missionaries.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Her conversion marked the beginning of the church at Philippi, the first church in Europe recorded in Acts, and her home became a place of fellowship.
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. Acts 16:14 (KJV)
Bible references
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. Acts 16:13 (KJV)
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. Acts 16:14 (KJV)
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. Acts 16:15 (KJV)
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. Acts 16:40 (KJV)
Family
Her household was baptised with her (Acts 16:15).