Lydia
A dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, living at Philippi, who was the first person Acts names as baptised on Paul’s mission in Macedonia. Acts shows the believers of the city gathered in her house.
Acts mentions Lydia in one episode. She came from the city of Thyatira, sold purple cloth, and was “one who worshiped God”. Paul and his companions met her on the sabbath at a place of prayer by the river outside Philippi. Acts says that the Lord opened her heart to what Paul said. She was baptised with her household and pressed the travellers to stay in her house (Acts 16:13–15).
When Paul and Silas were released from prison they went to her house and met the believers there before leaving the city (Acts 16:40). See Paul Carries the Gospel into Europe. Paul’s letter to the Philippians does not name her.
In the timeline
- about AD 49 to AD 52, estimated datePaul Carries the Gospel into Europe
With Silas and Timothy, Paul crosses from Asia Minor to Macedonia and founds churches at Philippi, Thessalonica and Corinth. Acts brings him before the proconsul Gallio at Corinth, whose year of office an inscription at Delphi puts at about AD 51–52.