ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 10, 2026
In the 16th chapter of Acts, beyond the portion that we will focus on in worship this morning, we find Paul and Silas being arrested in the city of Philippi. This was not unusual for Paul, though it did come with an apology after the whole earthquake thing and then the city magistrate learning that Paul was a Roman citizen. In the 40th verse, we read, “After leaving the prison, they (Paul and Silas) went to Lydia’s home, and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed.” Lydia was a recent convert whose story would be central to the early church. In fact, some say she was the first person who became a Christian on European soil. It’s interesting to me how the Bible tells us very little about Lydia, yet for the next few centuries, the church told stories about her. How many are historically accurate? Who knows? But clearly there was something that grabbed the attention of the early Christians about this woman who was praying alongside a river near Philippi when the Apostle Paul found her and some of her friends. Not only was Lydia baptized, but so were all those with her. Today, you can travel to Greece, visit the ruins of Philippi, and then travel a short distance to a river where you find the Baptistery of Saint Lydia inside a beautiful chapel. It remains a destination for pilgrims traveling that part of the world. Though we only have our imagination to fill in the story about Lydia, I imagine she was a strong force in the establishment of the church there in Philippi, along with the surrounding area. Though we have no evidence to prove or disprove whether Lydia was a mother, I celebrate her today as she was truly one of the early mothers of Christianity.
For all who inspired and embodied the story of Jesus, we give thanks! Holy God, for the stories we know and those whose faithful witness was never recorded, we honor their impact then and now. Amen.
