Lydia of Thyatira (Greek: Λυδία) is a woman mentioned in the New Testament who is regarded as the first documented convert to Christianity in Europe. Several Christian denominations have designated her a saint.
Lydia was the first convert to the Christian faith in the colonial Roman city of Philippi (Acts 16:11-15), located in the district of Macedonia.
After her entire household accepted Christ as Savior and was baptized, Lydia invited Paul and Silas to stay in her home (Acts 16:15). When Paul and Silas were thrown into a Philippian prison, Lydia visited them and attended to their needs. Her house became the meeting place of the first European church.
While there are countless Biblical stories about giving, money and wealth; Lydia challenges us to reflect on our role of being prepared for the moment, seeking something bigger than ourselves, and being willing to invite others to experience what we have experienced.
She had a household, so that probably means, yes, she was a mother. But even if Lydia was never a mother, it's fitting to give thanks for her this day. She's a good example for us, both mothers and non-mothers. In Lydia we see the Lord at work and what He does to change lives.
There is no mention of a husband or a father in her story. This was unusual in Bible times as women were identified by their relationship to a man (father, husband, adult son, or brother). It is likely that Lydia had no surviving adult male relatives or that she was widowed or divorced.
Lydia is described as having “high animal spirits and a sort of natural self-consequence.” She is attractive and charismatic, but she is also reckless and impulsive.
According to Coleman Baker, "Lydia is described as a “worshipper of God” (probably synonymous with “God-fearer,” used elsewhere in Acts) “from the city of Thyatira” (located in Western Asia Minor) and “a dealer in purple cloth” (a luxury item in the ancient Mediterranean).
Lydia, who traded in purple cloth, was a God fearing woman, which could mean either a righteous Gentile or one of the “God-fearers,” Gentiles who were attracted to the Jewish religion. She heard Paul's message and was soon baptized, along with the rest of her household.
Deborah is one of the major judges (charismatic military leaders, not juridical figures) in the story of how Israel takes the land of Canaan. She is the only female judge, the only one to be called a prophet, and the only one described as performing a judicial function.
Lydia was most likely from Greek background, since originating from Asia Minor, but probably romanized one, while she lived in a Roman settlement.
It was by the river at Philippi that Paul is said to have baptised Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, between 49 and 50 AD – an iconic baptism because it is believed to be the first baptism on the continent of Europe; by performing it, Paul supposedly laid the foundations for a Judeo-Christian European civilisation ( ...
The first woman according to the biblical creation story in Genesis 2–3, Eve is perhaps the best-known female figure in the Hebrew Bible. Her prominence comes not only from her role in the Garden of Eden story itself, but also from her frequent appearance in Western art, theology, and literature.
Lydia the Businesswoman
She was a business woman and a dealer of purple cloth. This meant she sold garments dyed with tyrian purple, a dye that is created by boiling marine snails that would create the dark reddish-purple hue.
MEET LILITH – ADAM'S FIRST WIFE
Lilith was created by God from dust and placed to live in the garden with Adam until problems arose between Adam and Lilith when Adam tried to exercise dominance over Lilith. One story tells that Lilith refused to lay beneath Adam during sex.
Lydia offered God courageous hospitality by making room in her heart for God through baptism. She also offered Paul and his companions courageous hospitality, making room in her home for her new gospel companions.
Lydia, among the women, had listened attentively and took the message to heart. She and her family were then baptized in the Gangites River along which they had been praying. Thus, Lydia became the first person in Europe to become a follower of Christ.
Lydia, a gentile convert, is the first female in the Bible that receives specific mention as being baptized. A merchant of fine purple cloth, she is an example of an upwardly mobile woman who converted and provided leadership in the early Christian communities.
Mark 15: 21
They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.
Nicknames: Dee, Dia, Didi, Lady, Lia, Liddie, Liddy, Lids, Lili. Variations: Lidia (Italian), Lidija (Slavic), Lidka (Polish), Lydie (French), Lyyti (Finnish).
Lydia is delicate yet strong, a name with more than meets the eye. She's bold and brave in her styling, not afraid to strike a pose when the moment is right.
Secondary to Fred Waterford, the following prominent villain in the series is Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), the head of the handmaid system in charge of indoctrination and discipline.
Lydia views their supposed elopement as a source of fun and adventure. She doesn't care if her own or her family's reputation would be ruined because of her thoughtless actions.
She calls her youngest sister “vain, ignorant, idle and absolutely uncontrolled.” In the novel, Lydia has sex with George Wickham, a huge taboo in 19th century England. In most novels of the period, female characters who have sex out of wedlock are doomed to die.
Before the Israelites cross the Jordan, Joshua sends men to scout out the land. Arriving in Jericho, they decide to spend the night at the house of the prostitute Rahab. When Jericho's ruler tries to apprehend them, Rahab hides them and then helps them escape through the window, thus saving their lives.