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Lydia's Conversion
We find the conversion of Lydia in Acts 16.13-15. As we examine her conversions e find the same pattern as in all previous cases. Her conversion involved her “calling upon the name of the Lord.” This was necessary as the prophecy made by Joel (and quoted by the apostle Peter in Acts 2.21) is now in effect.
All who come to the Lord must call upon his name. “Calling” has never been a prayer to God, asking him for pardon. 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:
- The believed what was proclaimed about Jesus (i.e., that he had been made both Lord and Christ; Acts 2.36).
- They repented of their past sins, because Jesus commanded it (Luke 24.47).
- They confessed their faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8.37; Romans 10.9-10).
- They were immersed in water, for Jesus had commanded everyone to be buried in the likeness of his death (Romans 6.4-5).
This constituted the “form of doctrine” to be obeyed (Romans 6.17-18). This constituted the pattern of “calling upon his name” as recorded in Matthew 28.18-20, Mark 16.15-16, and Luke 24.44-49.
Notice the facts provided of Lydia’s conversion. First, note the description given of her prior to her hearing of Jesus. It is said that she “worshiped God.” She was a religious person. Yet, though she was religious, she lived after Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This is significant. Remember the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 9.15-17 explained that the old covenant (i.e., the Law of Moses) was no longer in effect, being replaced by a new covenant.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 provide through animal blood Jesus did by the shedding of his own blood (Acts 4.12).
To “call upon” is to make an appeal for help. Paul appealed to Caesar to rule on the charges made against him (Acts 25.11). Paul himself called upon Jesus’ name (Acts 22.16). He taught that “calling” was impossible apart from belief and that belief required hearing God’s will (Romans 10.14,17). Jesus preached his Father’s will (John 12.49; 17.8). Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sins” were to be proclaimed in his name (i.e., but his authority; Luke 24.47). This command took effect in Jerusalem on Pentecost (ibid).
Thought Questions
About what did Paul speak to Lydia? We can know by what is recorded of Lydia after hearing Paul speak. IT says, “And when she was baptized, and her household…” We can accurately conclude that when Paul spoke to her, he commanded her to be baptized. We can also accurately conclude that this, in part, was how she attended to the things spoken by Paul. The text demands these conclusions:
- Her heart was opened by the word of the Lord, for “faith cometh by hearing…the word of God” (Romans 10.17).
- Through her repentance and immersion in water, she “attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”
We might ask also regarding her baptism, for what purpose were she and her household baptized? The New Testament is consistent as to baptism’s purpose:
- 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.
- Galatians 3.27 — In baptism, one “puts on” Christ. Christ is not “put on” before and without baptism.
- 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. 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 performed on one who is already saved. Baptism is never said to be a church ordinance to be performed upon some who were saved at the point of their faith, for faith alone does not justify (James 2.17-26).
The Bible is clear that remission follows baptism, rather than preceding it. Lydia was immersed in water, because Paul commanded of her. That is the only conclusion any honest inquirer can make. 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. The Lord “opened her heart” in the same way that everyone’s heart is opened.
