Lydia: More Than a Dealer in Purple

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Lydia’s story is told in Acts 16:9-15: 

Lydia was the first convert to the Christian faith in the colonial Roman city of Philippi (Acts 16:11-15), in the district of Macedonia.

Paul’s missionary strategy included visiting local synagogues, but there apparently was no synagogue in Philippi. However, there was an informal place of prayer at the riverside. Paul met the devout there.  Among the worshippers was Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a devout worshiper of God who came to the riverside on the Sabbath to pray. It was there that she and others heard the message of the gospel from Paul and his companions. 

In the first-century Roman world, women owned and managed businesses. Lydia sold an expensive item.  Purple cloth was worn only by the aristocracy.   Lydia was probably a successful and relatively wealthy commoner.  She was very likely an independent business owner since women occupied a prominent place in Macedonian life.

When Paul first met Lydia, she was a “worshipper of God” or a God-fearer (Acts 16:14). Her Greek background would suggest that Lydia was a former polytheist. At the time of Paul’s arrival, she was worshipping with the Jews.

Acts 16:15 tells of her conversion into Christianity. She became a true believer in the Lord, and she and her household were baptized. She then persuaded Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Paul and his company remained at Lydia’s house during their ministry in Philippi. The newly established church also met there (Acts 16:40).

Women were of equal importance in the church in contrast to their situation in the synagogue. In Jewish circles, Lydia, as a woman, would have played only a secondary role, but in the new Christian community, she played a prominent role.

While the formation of a Jewish synagogue required ten men, this new Christian community began with one woman who was fully committed to her Messiah.

Lydia's home became the meeting place for the first church in Europe, a testament to her influence and the new beginnings in Philippi. She continued to support Paul and his companions during their time in the city.  This was a significant moment in the spread of the gospel because it was the first time Christianity had reached Europe.

Lydia’s conversion and hospitality are the foundation of the church in Philippi and the home of the first European conversions to Christianity

Lydia's life demonstrates that God uses ordinary people, including women, in extraordinary ways to advance his kingdom and plant churches. 

 

Dorcas—A Disciple of Service

By Rev, Lonnie C. Crowe

Act 9:36-42:  “And in Joppa was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called Dorcas). She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did. 

And it happened in those days, becoming sick, she died. And washing her, they laid her in an upper room. 

And, because Lydda was near Joppa, hearing that Peter is in it, the disciples sent two men to him, begging him not to delay to come to them. And rising up, Peter went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. And all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 

And putting them all out, Peter knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes. And when she saw Peter, she sat up. 

 And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

 And it was known throughout all Joppa. And many believed in the Lord.” 

Her life of service: 

The Bible emphasizes her "good works and kind deeds". She was well known for sewing clothing for the needy, especially widows.  They mourned her death by showing Peter the garments she had made. 

Dorcas was an active and faithful disciple "full of good works and acts of charity". Both her names, Tabitha and Dorcas, mean "gazelle," denoting grace and beauty.  However, the Word of God emphasizes on her character and charitable works.

Remember James 2:16-18  “and if one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them those things which are needful to the body, what good is it? Even so, if it does not have works, faith is dead, being by itself. But someone will say, You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from my works.”

James 2:26  “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Dorcas knew that while we are not saved by our works, we are saved in order to do His work.

Christians, we are saved to serve.

 

Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles

The Last Great Day

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Leviticus 23:33-36 (NKJV)

³³ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ³⁴  "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. ³⁵  On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it. ³⁶  For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.”

Today, Christians who celebrate the Lord’s Appointed Times often refer to the celebration of the eighth day as “The Last Great Day”  in reference to  John 7:37-38 (NKJV) “³⁷  On the last day, that great day of the feast. . . .”  While seven in scripture is a reference to fullness, to completeness, eight is the number of new beginnings.  

In the days of Jesus, God’s people celebrated the eighth day by lighting the temple courtyards with lampstands and torches until it truly shown forth as a city on a hill that could not be hidden.  With much pageantry, the people praised the Lord in song and dance.  Even today, the eighth day is a celebration of light.  The process of creation in Genesis began when the Lord said, “Light be.” New beginnings are birthed in light.

During the time of Moses, the Israelites followed the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.  The wise men followed the light of the star to Bethlehem to worship the Christ child. 

 On the great day of the feast, after the Temple Mount in Jerusalem had been lighted for all to see, Jesus proclaimed, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.", “John 8:12 (NKJV).  (John 7 takes place at after sunset, the beginning of the last day of the feast.  The events of John 8 take place starting early the next morning.  Some would argue that John 8 takes place after the last great day.  However, the biblical day begins at sunset.  In biblical timing, the next morning is still the same day. )

At another time, Jesus spoke to us saying, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

Just as Jesus is the light of the world, as His ambassadors, we, too, are to be shining lights for the Kingdom of God. 

Another event of the celebration included an offering of water.  The high priest, with the other priests and thousands of worshipers, marched from the Temple to the Pool of Siloam.  The pool of Siloam was a renowned place of healing.  At the pool, the priests filled a pitcher with water and went back to the Temple.  The high priest then poured the water onto the altar. By offering the water, the people were praying for healing for themselves and their land.   The healing of the blind man who washed in the waters of Siloam occurred on the last great day. (John 9: 7-11).  

New beginnings in Scripture often begin with water.  In Genesis 1:1, the Holy Spirit hovered over the waters as the process of creation began.  In the days of Noah, the Lord sent the floodwaters upon the earth, and the earth was recreated.  (Genesis 6) When the Israelites left Egypt under the leadership of Moses, they passed through the Red Sea.  Later, when Joshua led them into the Promised Land, they crossed over the Jordan. Jesus was baptized before He began His earthly ministry.  We are “buried with Him in baptism, in which we also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12.)

Knowing the need for new beginnings in all our lives, ^“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  John 7:37-38 (NKJV). 

New beginnings start with drinking from the well of the water of life. The result of that experience should be evident in our lives. 

The last great day was also a time for celebrating the Word of God.  Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) is all about praising God for His Word, for His statutes and commandments that bring us life, peace and joy. The greatest part of our praise should be for the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Let’s behold and proclaim His glory. (John 1:14).  

Take a few moments and celebrate Jesus who is the light of the world, the living water and the incarnate, life-giving Word of God. Then step forward into a new beginning in Him.

 Feast of Tabernacles: Thoughts to Feast Upon 

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Today at sunset, the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth) begins. This appointed time is seven days of rejoicing in the final yearly harvest, a time to praise God for His provision. It is also a prophetic picture of the return of the Lord to gather all believers unto Himself, a time of unity when every knee shall bow and every tongue declare that Jesus is Lord. 

May this Feast of Tabernacles be a time when we Bible-believers set aside our difference in modes of worship and come in unity before our King. 

Psalms 133:1-3: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.  It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing Life forevermore.