Baptism of a Businessperson, Acts 16:14-15

This post concerns the baptism of a businessperson.

Baptism of a Businessperson discusses the circumstances around the conversion of this seller of purple goods.

Purple goods were extremely expensive because of the costly dye which came from grinding a seashell and boiling the mixture in water. The result, Tyrian purple, was highly sought by those who could afford it.

Paul and his companions had tried to preach in northwest ‘Asia Minor,’ now modern Türkiye. But the Holy Spirit had forbidden them to turn to the right or the left. So, they pressed forward to Troas, a northern seaport. Paul had a dream of someone in Macedonia asking for help. Then, they concluded that they should cross into Europe, arriving at Neapolis. Next, they moved inland to Philippi, a Roman colony.

A synagogue did not exist in Philippi. So, Paul went down to the riverside and found a group of women engaged in prayer. There, he had success preaching Christ to them, Acts 16:14-15. “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul…she was baptized, and her household as well”

So, several facts are unusual about this incident. First, it was rare to find a woman in business, especially one that worshiped God. Second, the Lord needed to remove some impediment from her heart to help her come to obey the Gospel.

Her heart problem may have been any one of several. We do not know. She could have been shy in speaking or listening to a man.

She may have had a prejudice against Jesus, due to His crucifixion. Paul, citing a few Old Testament passages such as Isaiah 53, may have taught her that the death of Jesus was prophesied. So, she obeyed what Peter taught that believers needed repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.

God can use scripture to open the hearts of people today.

Baptism remains a requirement for salvation today.

So, what did we learn?

1.Salvation for Lydia required baptism.

2.Scripture can remove heart prejudice today to help obedience to God’s commands.

3.Baptism remains a requirement for salvation.

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