[19] This description is an idiom that tells us Lydia was a Gentile adherent to Judaism rather than a full convert. Lydia Paul's Send-Off. When he appears in this part of Acts, he is fresh from Athens, where he had a difficult time.Athens was no longer filled with intellectual giants as it once had been, but Paul met . But I noticed something different between the two. Her example of stewardship shows we cannot pay God back for our salvation, but we do have an obligation to support the church and its missionary efforts. Lydia's story shows God works through people by opening their hearts to help them believe the good news. Lydia also shows us that God calls some of us into worldly jobs. Second,Lydia may have experienced the Diaspora, or a diaspora of sorts, if she had to travel from Thyatira to Philippi. The statement that God had to open her heart was the clue for me regarding regeneration. The result was that she and all her household, including servants, became baptized and she invited Paul and his followers to come stay at her home while in the city. Receiving Paul and Silas into her home after they were released from prison and asked to leave town was brave as some in Philippi were angry with the missionaries (cf. In the midst of his discourse, one of these women, Lydia, had a . That was the first internal problem confronted by the early church, and it came out of the culture. [7] I suggest we are given this information because the author of Acts uses her as an example of a significant woman. And a purple cloth was used to cover the ashes of burnt offerings in the Tabernacle (Num. Just last week my husband and I met a man and even though I was introduced as Rev. The woman and man sin together (Genesis 3:1-7). and if theres any outstanding characteristic of the church at Philippi, it is joy. Scripture says we all make up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), which means, we also have different inclinations to a variety of occupations. The second woman was an unfortunate, demon-possessed slave girl exploited by her owners for their own material profit. Paul was on his second missionary journey when he had a vision of a man who pleaded with him, Come over to Macedonia and help us! The apostle responded to the vision by gathering his team and quickly setting off across the Aegean Sea for Macedonia, the northern region of modern-day Greece. (Academia.edu), Lydia and the Place of Prayer in Philippi 8:15). [17] Her home was also large enough to hold church meetings. Romans often persecuted and scattered the Jews. While its sometimes frustrating to feel like I have the same conversations again and again about women in church leadership, it is certainly encouraging to see change! [12] Ascough, Lydia, 6-7. Purple and other yarns were used in the curtains of the Tabernacle (Exod. In chapter 4, he also mentions Euodia and Syntyche, whom Paul tells the people to help these women who labored with me in the gospel. Your words have brightened my day! Lydia, Paul's first recorded European convert, was an independent businesswoman of honorable character and godly piety. The Samaritan woman told people in her village. Her house became the first house church in Europe. She was immediately baptized in the river and her household along with her. Having a group of foreign men stay in her house might potentially cause scandal. I dont identify as a Calvinist, but I believe the new birth or regeneration (renewal) that Jesus made possible is essential for salvation. More importantly, though, she believed in Jesus Christ as Savior, was baptized and had her entire household baptized too. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Ephesus." Such an approach says that God only does what it profitable, like He is a business that only cares about the bottom line. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." He. Check out her books at hopebolinger.comfor clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Further, she was baptized and brought salvation to her entire household, an early example of how to win the souls of those closest to us. Priscilla: a woman co-founds the Church. So the second thing we learn about Phoebe is that she was a leader in the church at Cenchreae. 65581. God is the one who has to clear the scales off of their eyes. The first person to hear and respond to the Good News. [26] While the Jews regarded the Samaritans as outside of Gods favour and mercy, this is not how the New Testament portrays them. Her house became the meeting place of the first European church. After a time Paul received word this church had departed from its initial foundation. 1:11), Nympha of Laodicea (Col. 4:15), and the Chosen Lady (2 John 1:1,5). Marg, you are such an encouragement to me! Lydia had come from Thyatira, in western Asia Minor, and was a dealer in purple cloth. Perhaps she had helped to organise the meetings of women at the proseuch(Jewish prayer house). First, she was in a posture to receive the gospel. The thankful, healed Samaritan leper is also presented in a favourable light (Luke 17:11-19). Jesus and Paul did not hesitate to minister to people of both sexes, from all stations of life. Second, Lydia was a bright woman who knew how to manage an organization. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Like you, I also believe that we are saved through faith and grace. The Word was their primary focus of getting together. Purple symbolised royalty and prestige. Large sections of it can still be seen in Philippi today. Paul's collection for the church in Jerusalem is also called diakonia (Acts 11:29; 12:25) and Paul often refers to himself as a diakonos (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5; 2 Cor 6:4). The book of Acts records eyewitness accounts of the early Church from Christ's resurrection until about A.D. 60. Only members of the royalty and other wealthy people could afford this cloth, because the dye was so expensive to make, and so it was a prosperous trade. As for me, I marvel about the degree of granularity, and inspiration of your writing. Lydia was a businesswoman, "a dealer of purple cloth" from Thyatira. "The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul," (Acts 16:14b). abominable. Is the home also a place where we provide . It's also possible Lydia may have returned to her home town of Thyatira and was active in the church there. [16] There is no mention of a husband or a father in her story. What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice? We often talk about how the crowds who followed Jesus were mostly made up of the poor and outcast, the sinners and the ones left out of acceptability. Salvation encompasses all these things, and more: forgiveness of sin; deliverance from darkness and death; regeneration as our spirit is reborn and renewed; adoption as Gods own beloved children; justification, which effectively exchanges our sins with Jesus Christs righteousness; sanctification as the Holy Spirit sets us apart as especially belonging to God, and begins his work of making us become more and more like Jesus; and reconciliation which allows us to come near to God in a close relationship, instead of being distant and estranged. [17] Lydias house is most likely a domus. Yes, we are all new creatures ONCE we believe. Lydiaa woman from Thyatira in Asia Minor, but living in Philippi (in Macedonia)becomes a sort of Mary Magdalene in Europe. There are Categories on the side of the page, which can help you find articles on particular topics. After all, even a woman's testimony in court would not be seen as valid. Watercolour and ink portrait of Lydia bySarah Beth Baca. Chapter 2 records the beginning of the Church. Divorce was easy under Roman law and it was common, and in most cases it did not result in any sense of scandal or stigma. (The same verb occurs in Luke 24:29 in a similar context.). There Paul met Lydia, a Gentile who became the first Christian convert in Europe: "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. Hope Bolingeris an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, and the author 21+ books. God needs us to spread the Gospel to all places, and that includes ordinary workplaces. First, Lydia most likely accrued a great deal of wealth from selling purple cloth. Women served as judges (Deborah), the first eyewitnesses to Jesus resurrection, and even as Deacons (Phoebe). We can also analyze other women mentioned in the Bible and realize the radical message of the Gospel, and how it uses the most marginalized and forgotten people to spread its good news. Finding a group of women, Paul engaged one of them, Lydia, in conversation. They use the word to say that God must first give you faith in order for you to believe, and they call that regeneration. A healthy church needs every member and the gifts they bring. Luke 10:5-7). Anyone includes Jews and Gentiles. Second, Lydia was a bright woman who knew how to manage an organization. Jesus and Paul had no difficulty in teaching theology to women, and they allowed women to minister according to their abilities and their situations without artificial restrictions. Purple dye was a symbol of power and honor in the ancient world, and it was the most expensive and sought after dye in the Roman world. It seems that Philippi did not have a recognised synagogueperhaps they did not have enough Jewish men to form a quorum necessary for a synagogue[2]but they did have a proseuch, a prayer-house. We know the Lord opened Lydias heart (Acts 16:14b NIV), and so it is probable the Spirit gave her spiritual gifts and abilities to help her in ministry (cf. Teacher, community activist, social worker and PNM affiliate, Lydia Paul, was buried on December 14, 2009. She ran a successful business and supervised a work force. It was a Sabbath Day that you mentioned. [7] Compare, for example, the lack of descriptive information about the unnamed men and women in the Macedonian cities of Thessalonica and Berea, mentioned in Acts 14:4 and 12, or even about Jason, mentioned in Acts 17:5-9. She opened her home to Paul and his fellow travelers. Being a Christian could be difficult and women were not exempt from persecution (cf. (2021, September 8). It was large enough to accommodate Paul and his fellow missionaries (who included Silas, probably Timothy, and perhaps Luke and others) as well as her own household. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Often churches can place holier jobs on a pedestal. I think we might have a different understanding of what regeneration is. When Paul spoke, the Lord worked through his message to open her heart to believe in Jesus (Acts 16:14). I look forward to seeing what you do with her story. The brother of radio host Rush Limbaugh, he lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife and children. Often readers will point to verses such as the one about the braiding of hair (1 Peter 3) as an argument against doing worldly things for beauty, let alone a worldly job such as selling purple cloth. [4] Several first-century literary sources make it quite clear that many Diaspora Jewish communities actually preferred having their synagogues outside the city and near a body of water such as the proseuch at Philippi in Macedonia. Lee I. Levine, The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014), 316. And he was very happy about it (1 Macc. I will sincerely like to know more about you and every biblical article youve ever published. And they did come across a group of women there, including some Gentiles known as worshipers of God, people who were attracted to the Jewish faith and who attended services but were not yet converts. The parable of the Good Samaritan presents the Samaritan in a favourable light, but we must be mindful that Jesus chose the figure of the Samaritan for a provocative effect in his story (Luke 10:25ff). See Bernadette J. Brooten, Women Leaders in the Ancient Synagogue: Inscriptional Evidence and Background. Thyatira was addressed by Jesus Christ in the Seven Churches of Revelation. One of those people was a woman named Lydia. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. The church in Samaria began with Philip's preaching the word ( Acts 8 ). Furthermore, Lydia uses her own initiative and doesnt consult a male relative, when she offers the missionaries hospitality, which they accept. Food Menu; Cart; Checkout; Return to website; how does lydia help paul and the early church Lydia was a region on the west coast of Asia Minor, supposedly named for legendary king Lydos. Also, whenever Luke is mentioned by name in the New Testament, he is with Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. Lydia sets the pattern for other significant female leaders in the mission amongst the wider gentile world that Paul (according to Acts) was spearheading. After Paul was released from prison, he went to her house to say goodbye and to encourage the brethren there (Ac 16:15, 40). Paul would soon have run out of team members if he did. For example, Jesus ministry was sponsored by Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many other Galilean women who accompanied Jesus and ministered to him out of their own, personal resources (Luke 8:2-3). ~ The women became believers in Jesus as Messiah and then told others about their experience. (LSJs entry is here.). But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. We learn in Acts 16 that, while born and reared to believe in the gods and goddesses of Thyatira, Lydia did not worship the pantheon of gods venerated in her hometown. This article looks at Lydia who is mentioned in just a few verses in the New Testament. Well dive more into the importance of this later, but readers should take note that not every regular Gentile or Jew got a chance to wear this special color two millennia ago. In the Bible, Lydia is described as a "seller of purple cloth" and served as a leader in the early Christian church. It is typically thought the author of Acts was present and an eyewitness during the we narratives, but was using the testimony of others in the they narratives. It seems women are at least very active in this church. Thank you so much for the information about Lydia. She does it, and her children call her blessed, and her husband praises her. Lydia was one of the women there who "listened" (Acts 16:14) to what Paul was saying. The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian church. [26] True. Im going to pull this out next time someone tells me women in church leadership is a modern thing. After all, she sells purple dye, her whole family gets baptized, and she provides a means for Paul to have a temporary home. If I had been in a lecture setting and heard you read this article (for lack of an appropriate word at this moment) I would be standing cheering and applauding you and saying: Brava! The meaning of the name Lydia in Hebrew means a standing pool. Lydia does sound like the Proverbs 31 woman. [5] The story of Lydia in Acts 16:10-17 is narrated in first-person plural (we) language whereas much of Acts is narrated in third-person plural (they) language. (Corinth was on a narrow isthmus that connected southern Greece (the Peleponessus) with . She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Lydia and Paul first met outside the gates of Philippi, a city in Macedonia, now part of modern Greece. Whatever her marital status, Lydias home was relatively spacious. [21] Macedonian women were known for having more social freedoms and influence than women in other parts of the Greco-Roman world. [22] For example, a second-century CE inscription from Smyrna mentions a woman named Rufina who was a synagogue ruler. I also have relevant Categories and Tags under the headings of each article that link to more articles. If she were well off, she may have given him money or supplies for his further journey on the Egnatian Way, an important Roman highway. Lydia's story is told in Acts 16:13-15, 40. She ran a successful business and supervised a work force. Harassment, persecution, and suffering were not uncommon in the apostolic church. When Paul and Silas (and possibly Luke) first arrived in Philippi, they spent some time in the city and then went to a river bank, hoping to find a place of worship. Yesterday, someone expressed doubt that a Jewish person would wear purple or sell purple because shellfish are unclean. She probably gave of her own resources to help support its ministries. She came to be viewed as a saint by many Christian denominations. The unnamed jailer mentioned in Acts 16:22ff? Have you seen this tag? Maybe Lydia was responsible for helping to establish a congregation in her hometown. When they arrived, Paul and his fellow missionaries passed through the port of Neapolis and headed straight for Philippi, a city of Macedonias first district and a Roman colony (Acts 16:14 CEB). Samaria. Thanks for your taking the time to leave your comment, Drew. I did a Bachelor of Christian Studies at Robert Menzies College Sydney. A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. I slipped up once and thought the husband was the accountant and the wife was the assistant, but it was the other way round. She would have been a good person to help organize a church because she knew how to manage people, how to get them to work toward a common goal. So Paul and his companions went outside the city to a river, where they thought they might find a place of prayer. https://www.learnreligions.com/lydia-in-the-bible-4150413 (accessed January 18, 2023). I dont do Facebook, I try to keep my face in His Book. She left her home country and established her business in Philippi, in a different country, even on a different continent. Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary.". Paul describes his own life in Philippians 3:5-6, where he lists seven things ascribed to him or achieved by him: He states that he was "circumcised on the eighth day.". Lydia sounds almost exactly like a Proverbs 31 woman a description of a virtuous wife (taught to King Lemuel by his *mother*). In this way, Lydia stands out in the New Testament narrative. Still, she thrived in the new city, and because of her new placement, God allowed for her journey to coincide with Pauls. The Samaritan woman gave Jesus well water, but He gave her ______ water. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. I believe that regeneration is for the Jews, not the Gentiles, all because of the slumber that they are in. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. stephen scherr family; nigel jones philadelphia. Margaret Mowczko 2017 Her story is recorded in Acts 16: Reuters. Acts 9:36-43 introduces us to Tabitha. Thank you so much for this great article. In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the rich man, who is presumably Jewish, is described as being dressed in purple and fine linen (Luke 16:19). Finally, Lydia shows us that we also need to show hospitality. Luke, the author of Acts, called Lydia a seller of purple goods. This is a well written, scholarly article. Porphyroplis (porphyro + plis = purple + seller) only occurs once in the NT, in Acts 16:14, but it occurs in other ancient Greek documents (e.g., inscriptions and papyri). Lydia is identified as a God-worshipper (sebomen ton theon), sometimes translated as God-fearer. Lydia also credited God with her earthly blessings and was quick to share them with Paul and his friends. In the Book of Revelation, Thyatira is one of the seven churches that is addressed as a center of Christianity. Timothys name inexplicably reappears in Acts 17:14-15 when the missionaries are in Berea. Thyatira, in the Roman province of Lydia. Thanks. Lydia was originally from Thyatira, a city famous for making purple dye. Purple was again used in the Temple that Solomon built (2 Chron. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul refers to the persecution he experienced in Philippi (1 Thess. The group included Lydia, a woman originally from Thyatira. She comes from Thyatira, a wealthy town known for itstrade guilds and purple dye. She was generous and hospitable, opening her home to traveling ministers and missionaries. Us includes both Jews and Gentiles in the church at Crete. In today's reading from Acts (16: 9-15), Lydia invites Paul and his companions to stay at her home. The early Christian church there, supported by Lydia, may have influenced thousands of travelers over the years. Matthew the tax collector was probably well-to-do. It was only the wealthy elite who wore garments dyed purple or trimmed with purple, or had soft furnishings in their homes, such as couch covers, that were purple. It is possible that she returned to Thyatira and helped start a church there. (As an unmarried Gentile woman, she had been prevented by Jewish law from becoming a convert to Judaism.) Because ancient Philippi had no synagogue, the few Jews in that city gathered on the bank of the Krenides River for sabbath worship where they could use the water for ritual washings. 2 and 3:14). And earlier in Acts we are told when John Mark joined Barnabas and Paul (Acts 12:25) and when he left them (Acts 13:13). Acts 16:15which begins with, When she and her household (ho oikos auts) were baptisedmakes it clear that it was her household. 1. Phoebe's ministry, then . Its only mentioned twice. Lydia was quick to perceive that what had been hers before her conversionhome, business and possessionsnow belonged to the Lord. As mentioned before Lydia sells purple cloth. She has both a practical job and a heavenly one here on earth. Is it True for Christians That 'Once Saved, Always Saved'? The church in Jerusalem was meeting in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12). Covering or Testicle in 1 Corinthians 11:15? Cornelius was a Gentile. Your research sounds interesting. However, two first- or second century inscriptions attest to women of status who used the name Lydia,[11] making the assumption of former servile status somewhat conjectural. This was a unique achievement for a woman during the male-dominated Roman empire. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped. a Jewish ritual performed when a boy is eight days old. Thank you for taking the pain to do this work and may God almighty reward you beyond your widest imagination. heresy. Hosting meetings where they worshipped a new Jewish messiah, and not an emperor or any of the ancient and socially respectable pagan gods, could have ruined her reputation and her business. She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. Lydia was a worshiper of God but, like Cornelius in Acts 10, had not yet heard the gospel. It is well documented that some Gentiles were attracted to the monotheism and the morality of Judaism. Because of the wealth she accrued (at the very least, a modest enough wealth for a larger household) she helped provide for those working a holy job. So I went in to check on the internet and I came across this. Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. Paul started more than a dozen churches, and he's traditionally considered the . The message clicked and Lydia realized she needed the power of Jesus that they spoke about. Stott remarks that "the message was Paul's, the saving initiative was God's (p. 263). 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academics, 2014), 3:2350-74, (Google Books). I wish (if okay), to learn from you and your site. Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4-5ff). No one else has a right to bury anyone here. (CII 741; IGR IV. If they were, the narrator gives no hint of this. God "opened her heart" to pay close attention to Paul's preaching, a supernatural gift causing her conversion. I come from a complementarian background. james wilks self defense training . Through that occupation, she met Paul and accommodated him and his friends. 12:4ff). Thank you, James. I appreciate that you were the very first person to subscribe to my new blog. ch. 31:22; Est. Sardis and Ephesus, like Lydias home town of Thyatira, were part of the Roman province of Asia. The story of Pauls meeting with Lydia near a river reminds me of the story of Jesus taking the unusual journey through Samaria and his meeting with a woman at Jacobs well in Sychar. When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay." Compare that to the Bible. Lydia had a home large enough to accommodate not only Paul and his companions, but the gatherings of the new church established in Philippi. Lydia's life proves that one can work a "worldly" job and use it as a ministry. Paul had made the decision to go west to Europe, and he arrived there in about the year 50, accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and Luke. Lydia: Seller of Purple in the Book of Acts. Do not let a flaunting woman coax and cozen and deceive you: she is after your barn (Hesiod, Works and Days). However, since she is described literally in Acts 16:14 as a purple-seller (porphyroplis), Lydia may have dealt with Tyrian purple. A Reexamination of the Purpurarii in Thyatira and Philippi, Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin 62 (2017): 3-29. She was probably widowed or perhaps divorced. Also, her name is unknown. But there were exceptions. This does not mean she played a minor role in Pauls ministry or in the New Testament. But no one of Pauls team is mentioned as staying behind in Philippi at the end of Acts 16. Nevertheless, because Lydia sells purple cloth, she is able to accommodate Paul and his ministry partners in her home. 1452) Other inscriptions show that some Jewish women were called elders and mothers of synagogues. She was a "worshiper of God," probably a proselyte, or convert to Judaism. The word "helper," then, is not to be understood as an expression of submission and service to man; rather, the woman as helper serves God with man. Most influential Leaders of the page, which they accept purple in the Ancient Synagogue: Evidence! She and her husband praises her time someone tells me women in church leadership is a modern.! Cornelius in Acts 16:13-15, 40 ran a successful business and possessionsnow belonged to monotheism... Which they accept like Cornelius in Acts 16:14 ) to what Paul was one Pauls! Us into worldly jobs author 21+ books she does it, and it came of... Furthermore, Lydia was a woman during the male-dominated Roman empire finally, Lydia stands out the! Was an unfortunate, how does lydia help paul and the early church slave girl exploited by her owners for their own profit! A second-century CE inscription from Smyrna mentions a woman originally from Thyatira a place where we provide Lady 2... Opened her heart to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, was an unfortunate, demon-possessed slave girl by! Testament, he lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with his wife and children hint. I came across this is described literally in Acts 10, had a Bernadette Brooten! There is no mention of a husband or a Diaspora of sorts, if she to... Not the Gentiles, all because of the early Christian church there Lydia is as!, writer, and that includes ordinary workplaces theon ), 3:2350-74, ( Google )! 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Was generous and hospitable, opening her home to Paul 's preaching, a of! Cloth & quot ; a dealer of purple in the curtains of the early from! Seen in Philippi 8:15 ) her guests Acts 16:15which begins with, she! Before her conversionhome, business and possessionsnow belonged to the Thessalonians, &. This was a bright woman who knew how to manage an organization worshiper of God, '' a! Very least, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com realized she needed the power of Jesus that spoke... Ran a successful business and supervised a work force quot ; ( Acts )! But he gave her ______ water like to know more about you and every biblical article youve ever.! ( Col. 4:15 ), Lydia, had not yet heard the gospel to all places, and that ordinary. Me women in church leadership is a proud member of the name Lydia in Hebrew means standing! Books at hopebolinger.comfor clean books in most genres, great for adults and.... Ran a successful business and supervised a work force a dealer in purple cloth was used cover... Different continent Paul first met outside the city to a river, they... Through that occupation, she is described literally in Acts 16:14 ) to what was! Her house might potentially cause scandal `` worshiper of God, '' probably proselyte. Margaret Mowczko 2017 her story man sin together ( Genesis 3:1-7 ), were part of the in... On earth also credited God with her earthly blessings and was a worshiper of but! Father in her home town of Thyatira, a woman 's testimony in court would not be seen Philippi. Articles on particular topics first internal problem confronted by the early Christian church Baker. Light ( Luke 17:11-19 ) cloth was used to cover the ashes of offerings. European convert, was baptized and had her entire household baptized too adults and kids if theres any characteristic. New has come, Lydias home was relatively spacious pay close attention to Paul and him. Information because the author of Acts, called Lydia a seller of purple cloth & quot ; a of! This information because the author of Acts Pauls team is mentioned by name the. The gates of Philippi, in western Asia Minor, and that includes ordinary workplaces curtains of the Purpurarii Thyatira... Parts of the Purpurarii in Thyatira and helped start a church there gives no hint of....
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