Lydia's Conversion

We find the conversion of Lydia in Acts 16:13-15.

“And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshiped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.”

As we examine her conversion, we find the same pattern as in all previous cases. Her conversion involved her “calling upon the name of the Lord.” She had to do this in order for her to be saved as the prophecy made by Joel, and quoted by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:21 is in effect. All who come the Lord must call upon His name.

"Calling upon the name of the Lord” has never been by praying the sinners’ prayer or by praying to God, asking Him to pardon sins. Previously, in the book of Acts we have found people who were religious, devout, and praying individuals prior to hearing of salvation through Jesus, but upon hearing this good news, they responded in the following manner:

They believed what was proclaimed about Jesus, i.e., that He had been made both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).

They were told to repent of their past sins, because Jesus commanded repentance to be proclaimed "in His name" (Luke 24: 47).

They confessed their faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10).

They were also immersed in water, for Jesus had commanded everyone to be buried in the likeness of His death (Rom. 6:4-5).

This is the “form of doctrine” that was preached and obeyed (Rom. 6:17-18). This was the pattern of "calling upon His name” as recorded in Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; and Luke 24:44-49.

Notice the facts provided in the story of Lydia’s conversion: First, what description of her is given prior to her hearing of Jesus. It is said that she “worshiped God”. This tells us that she was a religious person. Yet even though she was religious, she lived AFTER Christ’s resurrection from the dead and needed to “call upon the name of the Lord” in order to be forgiven of her sins.

[Remember the Hebrew writer in Heb. 9:15-17 explained that the old covenant (i.e., the Law of Moses) was no longer in effect, being replaced by a new covenant. What the Law could not do, Jesus did by the shedding of His blood. We must now look to Jesus for salvation, as “...there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”-Acts 4:12]

Notice also that the news of salvation through Jesus is preached to Lydia. This is seen from these statements, “...they spake unto the women...”; and “...whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” It is said that her heart was “opened” by the Lord. The result of this ‘opening’ was that Lydia “...attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” We are then told that she and her household were baptized. All of these statements help us to understand how she “called upon the name of the Lord”.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

In "opening her heart", did the Lord overpower Lydia’s will and force her to submit to what was spoken by Paul? Is this what God does in conversion? Some teach this very thing today, but observe what the facts reveal.

Again, notice the effects of her heart being opened. She “...attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” What did Paul speak to her of? How can we know? We can know from what is recorded of Lydia after hearing Paul speak.

What is recorded of Lydia? Notice it says, “And when she was baptized, and her household...”. We can accurately conclude that Paul commanded her to be baptized when he ‘spake’ to her. We can also accurately conclude that this in part, was how she “attended to” the things spoken of Paul. Why else would she be baptized? Why did she desire to be baptized? If we reject the possibility that the apostle Paul spoke to her of her need to be baptized, how then do we answer why she desired to be baptized?

How did she learn of it? Who else would have told her of baptism? The text demands that we conclude but one thing. The apostle preached baptism to her. They “spake” to her; she “heard”, for faith cometh by hearing (Rom. 10:17), and hearing by the word of God. She repented, and was immersed for we read that she “...attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

We might ask also in regard to her baptism. For what PURPOSE was she (and her household) baptized? The New Testament is consistent and clear as to the PURPOSE of baptism. However, modern day preaching varies from the New Testament as to WHY one is baptized. Notice some passages that state the PURPOSE of baptism:

Romans 6:3-5 – baptism is for the PURPOSE of an unsaved person undergoing a burial in the likeness of Christ’s death; one cannot be raised up to walk in newness of life without this planting in the likeness of Christ’s death. It is a thus a part of the new birth (John 3:3-5).

Gal. 3:27 – in baptism, one “puts on” Christ. Christ is not “put on” before and without baptism. (No other act of obedience is said to put a sinner “into” Christ.)

Acts 22:16 – sins are said to be “washed away” by baptism in water.

1 Peter 3:21 – water baptism is said to be a “like figure” of salvation as was the water that saved eight souls in the days of Noah. Water, in some way ‘saved’ Noah’s family. In whatever way it ‘saved’ them, it ‘saves’ all today in a ‘like-figure’.

Having shown these passages, let us now notice what the Bible does NOT say about the PURPOSE of baptism.

The Bible does NOT say that baptism is to be performed on an “already saved” person. Baptism is never said to be a church “ordinance” to be performed upon some who was saved at the point of their faith, for no one is saved by faith alone (James 2:17-26).

Justification involves man being obedient to Jesus’ commands. Man does not “call upon the name of the Lord” before and without obedience, for Jesus commanded all to submit to His authority.

Matthew 28:18 records Jesus telling His apostles, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus commanded the apostles, “...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

In Luke 24:47, Jesus commanded that “...repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations...”

These passages are clear that remission of sins follows baptism, rather than precedes it. Add to that, Peter’s answer in Acts 2:38, when asked about how to be forgiven. He said, “Repent and be baptized...”. In Acts 3:19, Peter again answered, “Repent and be converted...”.

Lydia was immersed in water, BECAUSE PAUL COMMANDED HER TO BE IMMERSED IN WATER. That is the only conclusion any honest inquirer can come to. She was not baptized to “outwardly show” what had already taken place “inwardly”. She was not baptized to be added to a denominational body, for none existed. She was not “in Christ” before her immersion, even though she was a worshiper of God. Paul preached the same message to her that Peter preached to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost. She obeyed from her heart that ‘form of doctrine’ delivered to her, as did the Romans (Rom. 6:17-18).

Let us not be divided or misled by uninspired denominational creed wording that teach contrary to the scriptures on ‘how’ one calls upon Jesus’ name. The Lord ‘opened her heart’ in the same way that everyone’s heart is ‘opened’.

12/7/2019

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God Answers Prayers!

Have you ever prayed repeatedly to God about a matter dear to your heart; something over which you suffered much anxiety for a prolonged period of time until you made a decision about it? Such is the case with any matter that immensely impacts your life. Perhaps it is entering a marital relationship, a move to a different locality, or a job change. The uncertainty causes this anxiety, stress, and fear. We want it, but we want it to be a “good” want, not a selfish desire. So we “take it to the Lord in prayer.”

How will God answer our prayer? Consider a parallel example. One may earnestly desire and pray about a job. God may grant that request in that an offer for employment with that company may forth come. But does the prayer make you an employee of that company? Do you begin to receive any benefits from that company, any compensation? While I may possess many of the requirements for that job (CDL license, drive a standard shift), I could not drive their vehicle until I was hired by the company. My prayer did not entitle me to drive their vehicle, or to any other company benefits. There is a hiring process to go through. Once hired, you are accountable, and compensated, per the company.

The answer to the prayer involves God and you. You must accept the offer. You must meet any requirements beforehand (i.e., obtain a CDL). Are you an employee before or after you meet the requirements? Understanding how the answer came explains when the answer came. God answers prayer, but there is a process.

Similarly, one who desires to be a child of Go may pray fervently for it and God may grant that prayer, but the prayer for a relationship does not put you in that relationship any more than it would make you an employee of a company. There is a process by which God answers prayer. 

A blind man, healed by Jesus, recognized that Jesus could not have healed him unless it was doing the will of God. The reason? “God hearth not sinners” (John 9:31). Jesus was a worshiper of God, and was doing God’s will, thus God “heard” him.

Prayer is essential to the salvation of those lost in sin. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4). 

A lost person may pray fervently about his sins, but the process involves learning God’s will for him or her, and doing it. God provides circumstances whereby the petitioner can respond. A sinner must have something in which to believe or trust…What will that be? It is God’s Word (Romans 10:17). How will man respond if he has faith in God’s word? He will do as God spoke. 

Cornelius (Acts 10) and Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9; 22; 26) were two honest, sincere men who prayed fervently, and who lived with good consciences prior to learning of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. However, the prayer of both men did not put them into Christ. They were given instructions and had to comply as instructed in regard to entering into fellowship with Christ. Once they obeyed the commands given them, they were in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Their salvation rests not on the prayer, bu tin their faith and obedience to the God who offered his Son for their sins. In this way, God answers prayer!

Notice from 1 Timothy 2:1-4 who was to pray, who was to be prayed for, and why. The reason for prayers on behalf of those in authority was so that God’s people might “lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” God’s people are the “we.” These prayers are “good and acceptable” because God desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. In this way, prayer is essential to salvation. Those in need of salvation need prayers! Even those in need of salvation, upon recognizing their need, with pray. Realizing their lost condition, they too may suffer from anxiety, stress, and fear until they make their decision to receive God’s pardoning. However, it is important that we understand how God answers prayers for those in need of salvation. 

Every example of conversion to Jesus in the New Testament parallels this pattern.

The conversion of the 3,000 (Acts 2), the Samaritans and the eunuch (Acts 8), Lydia and the jailer (Acts 16), and the Corinthians (Acts 18) were identical. They were all lost in sin, they learned of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and accepted the terms of forgiveness offered by God in Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47; John 17:8). After they accepted these terms, they were forgiven of their sins. This exact point at which they entered into a relationship with Christ can be identified, for it was determined as Jesus taught the twelve.

God’s answer to any prayer for salvation is in a risen Savior who grants us repentance and forgiveness of sins according to his word (Acts 5:31). Let us worship and do his will.

December 1, 2019
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