A Woman, a Slave, and a Gentile

As a good Jew, Paul woke up every morning and prayed a traditional Hebrew prayer that went something like this, “God I thank you that you have not made me a Gentile, a slave, or a woman...” Ironically, the first three converts in the city of Philippi were, a wealthy woman, a poor slave girl, and a gentile prison guard. Join us for Part Six of Journey to the ends of the Earth, where Pastor Gary explores how the Gospel blows down social barriers and welcomes those some may be tempted to overlook.

And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Acts 16:13-15 (ESV)

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safe. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Acts 16:16-34 (ESV)

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV)

The first three members of the Church of Philippi:

• A Woman (Acts 16:13-15)

• A Slave (Acts 16:16-24)

• A Gentile (Acts 16:25-34)

Three observations from Acts 16:

• God is actively working in the lives of people to draw them to Jesus.

• God invites us to join Him by meeting people where they are with the message of the Gospel

• The Gospel is for everyone.

Daily Readings:

Day 1: Acts 16
Day 2: Philippians 1 & 2
Day 3: Philippians 3 & 4
Day 4: Acts 17:1-15
Day 5: 1 Thessalonians 1& 2
Day 6: 1 Thessalonians 3, 4, & 5