318. ACT 16:13-15. LYDIA

Act_16:13-15. Lydia

"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. 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. 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."’97Act_16:13-15.

The age of the apostles was emphatically the age of the dispensation of the Holy Ghost. They possessed his influences in copious effusions. Those influences invested them with miraculous powers for their arduous labors. By it they spoke with divers tongues. They possessed the powers of healing the sick, and raising the dead. The Holy Ghost also directed their journeys, and pointed out the spheres of their labors. It seems that Paul had intended to have gone into Asia, &c., see ver. 6; but afterwards, a vision appeared to him, ver. 9; upon which, they went into Macedonia, and the first scene of their labors was the city of Philippi. Then, follows the interesting narrative of the text.

Observe,

I. The Circumstances detailed concerning the Apostle’s Labors.

1. The time is noted.

"On the Sabbath." One of the greatest mercies God has conferred upon us, is the Sabbath. A day of cessation from toil, bodily labors, and fatigue. A day for especial religious instruction. The soul’s market-day. What pious heart has no felt the influence of those lines, as the Sabbath has dawned,

"Another six day’s work is done,

Another Sabbath is begun,

Return my so., enjoy thy rest,

Improve the day thy God hath blest."

2. The place is described.

"By the river side." The Jews had three sorts of erections for the worship of God. The Temple, Synagogues, and Proseucha, or oratories for prayer. Now, these oratories were not covered over, but were composed of elevated, walls, just sufficient to preserve from the inclemency of the weather. Often they were erected in the suburbs of cities, and towns. Sometimes at the foot of mountains, or generally near to rivers. It is clear Christ spent a whole night in prayer in one of these, as described, Luk_6:12. It is likely, therefore, that at Philippi there was no synagogue; so that the Jews residing there, went to worship in this Proseucha, or oratory, by the river side. Observe,

3. Its devotional character is specified.

"A place where prayer was wont," &c. What a delightful description. How sacred was the spot. How high in heaven’s estimation. Travellers visiting Philippi, would have gazed upon its buildings, its national curiosities, and works of art. But angels had viewed these without any emotions; yet, had doubtless often lingered and ministered to those pious spirits, who had frequented the oratory by the water side, where prayer was wont to be made. Ah! the hallowed scenes of that place will never be known until the light of eternity shall make them manifest. Observe,

4. An account of the attendants of this place is also given.

"The women who resorted thither." What do these words imply? Why that few men (or rather none) visited this sacred spot. What is asserted? That women did resort to this place for devotional purposes. How honorable to female piety! What a lasting monument to the superiority of the female character! And so it has been in every age and country of the world I will say nothing now of the honors of female piety in ancient times. I will pass by Sarah, and Deborah, and Ruth, and Hannah, with a noble host which we can not enumerate; and will only observe, that sad and sorrowing as was the life of the Blessed Redeemer, it would have been still more bitter and wretched, had it not been for the tender and affectionate regards of female worth and piety. Oh, Blessed Redeemer, do I see thee deserted by all thy disciples in the hour of thy deepest, agony; yet, these devoted heroines, whose love nothing could quench’97whose fortitude nothing could shake, still cleaved to thee, thou man of sorrows! We see something of the same still. Our churches are chiefly composed of pious women: and there is not a benevolent society existing which does not depend chiefly upon female influence for stability and support. Lydia is the first European convert recorded. These, then, are the circumstances detailed concerning the sphere, &c., of their labors.

II. The Conversion of one of the Auditory is described, ver. 14. Observe,

1. A concise account of this person is given.

Her name is Lydia, a name which ought to be a favorite with all Christian mothers. Her country was Thyatira, a place in Asia, to which one of the seven epistles in the Revelation is addressed. Her business. She was a seller of purple. The ancient purple was a very expensive, precious dye. It was obtained from a shell-fish, which the Jews called Chalson. With this costly article the fringes of the Jewish garments were dyed. Those too who were exceedingly rich, were distinguished by wearing garments dyed with purple. Now, Lydia was a merchant, who traded either in the dye itself, or in articles of purple color. It is observed that she was a Jewish worshipper. "She worshipped God," most likely a proselyte, as was the Ethiopian eunuch, as was also Cornelius.

2. Her conversion is described.

(1) The instrumentality employed was the gospel. Paul was the preacher. It is not stated what things he said; but we need not be in doubt. He knew nothing among men save Christ, and him crucified. He, doubtless, preached the gospel to the women assembled.

(2) The power exerted was Divine. The Lord wrought the work. Religion, in its commencement, progress, and termination, is all of God. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Every description given of religion, shows that God must be its author. It is a creation "Ye are his workmanship, created anew," &c. It is a resurrection. "You hath he quickened," &c. In order to conversion, there must be light. "And he commanded light," &c. There must be conviction and contrition, and an entire renewal of the heart. See Eze_36:26.

(3) The change produced was in the heart. "Whose heart," &c. The seat of genuine piety is the heart. All short of this is not religion. The kingdom of God is within you. Other things will precede; the eyes will be opened; the ears must be unstopped; yet these may be effected without more. But in conversion the heart is changed. It is a renovation of the soul. "All old things must pass away," &c. This change is expressly specified. "Whose heart the Lord opened"’97previously it was closed. Closed against the truth; against the entrance of Christ; closed with unbelief; with enmity, &c. "Behold," says Christ, "I stand at the door," &c. Now, Lydia’s heart melted, and warmed, and expanded; and its portals were stretched out wide, so that Christ took possession and was enthroned.

III. The Effects which the converting Grace of God produced, are specified.

These effects were striking and important.

1. There was obedience.

"She attended to the things," &c. Genuine faith produces obedience. "He who heareth my sayings and doeth them," &c. Religion is obedience to the truth. We are not Christ’s, unless we learn of Christ, and follow him.

2. There was profession.

"She was baptized." And this seems to have been an immediate act. This was what the apostles were commanded to teach and enjoin. How proper it appears, that when Christ’s religion is imbibed, that it should be publicly professed.

3. There was gratitude and hospitality.

Her opened heart caused her to open her house. She was not only grateful to God, but to his servants. She wished to express her grateful love. They were strangers in Philippi, and she bade them welcome, and made her house their home. This was not a formal ceremony. For she constrained them.

Application

Let me remind you, my hearers

1. Of your present situation. "In the place where prayer is wont to be made."

2. The word of life is now addressed to you.

3. We invite you to hear, believe, obey, and profess the Gospel of Christ.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS