The Acts of the Apostles describes the rapid growth of the Jesus movement from a tiny sect within Judaism to a phenomenon impacting the entire Roman world — Jews and Gentiles alike. There is another aspect to that story that deserves attention — how the Jesus movement changed the fabric of society itself. St. Paul reflecting on this in one of his later epistles writes: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female” (Gal. 3:28). The story of Lydia demonstrates how the presumptions of male privilege are overturned by the gospel. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home.” Lydia was recognized as a believer in her own right, not because of her father or husband.
MAY272019
By Church Staff
