Acts 16:11-15
Chapter 16
11
So we set out to sea from Troas and sailed directly to Samothrace Island, then the next day to Neapolis.
12
From there, we traveled inland to Philippi, the leading city of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We spent several days in that city.
13
On the Sabbath, we went outside the city gate to the riverbank, where we thought the Jews would gather to pray. We sat down and started talking to the women who were gathering there.
14
One of them was a God-fearing woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple cloth.
As she listened, the Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.
15
After she was baptized, along with her household, she invited us to her home.
“If you think I am faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my house.”
She convinced us to accept her invitation.
Commentaries
Paul’s Vision.
A Macedonian voice speaks Europe’s plea to Paul in a vision. We see how attentive those missionaries were to what we now call “the signs of the times.” Their faith-lit eyes saw in people, events, and circumstances the Spirit of Jesus guiding their steps and opening new mission paths. Philippi is the first European city to be evangelized. The missionaries stay at Lydia’s home, a Gentile and the first European believer. Lydia’s house will become the site of one of the most passionate communities.