Thought for the week: Spreading the Christian gospel across the various faiths

​I have long since learned not to pass by apparent coincidences in what passes as my daily devotionals. And that is one of the great benefits of retirement. You have time to pursue where you hope the Spirit is leading.
​Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, Church of Ireland​Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, Church of Ireland
​Rev Dr Houston McKelvey OBE, Church of Ireland
By ​Rev Dr Houston McKelvey
Published 25th May 2024, 00:00 BST

​I hit upon a wonderful and detailed exposition of the role of women at the time of Jesus’ ministry. There were a few references to women who had been judges and prophets in the Old Testament records. People like Deborah. There was a cautionary note that the word prophesy had different meanings in the original language. In English, it tends to convey a form of forecasting future events whereas in the scriptures it is about witnessing to God. And so I read on.

Then I hit a rich stream in devotionals from the Episcopal Church in the United States which are based on their calendar of saints days and holy days. This past week Lydia of Thyatira was recalled.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lydia of Thyatira was Paul’s first European convert. She was a Gentile woman living in Philippi, who, like many others, was interested in the Jewish faith, but had not converted. She was what the Jewish community called a “God-fearer” and as such she was undoubtedly accorded some level of respect by the Jewish community, but would not have been treated as a full member of the Jewish community in Philippi.

Paul encountered her on a riverbank where she and a group of women had gathered for Sabbath prayers. Paul and his companions talked with the women, and God “opened her heart” to hear what Paul had to say about Christ and the gospel. Lydia believed what she heard and, as was the custom when the head of a household converted, her whole household was baptised along with her.

Lydia was a prosperous cloth merchant and had the means to offer hospitality to the apostles during their time in Philippi. Her home, having served as a base of operations for Paul and his companions, became the location of a house church in Philippi. Although she is not mentioned by name outside of Acts 16, her significant role in enabling the gospel spread in Philippi has led to her recognition as a saint in a wide range of Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and many Protestant traditions.

In the Orthodox Church she is given the title “Equal to the Apostles” for her role in spreading the Christian faith.