Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down… I. THE FIRST GOSPEL PREACHING IN EUROPE. 1. The season — the "Sabbath." On this day the religious sentiment would be more active than on other days. Ministers should study mental moods. There are days and circumstances suited for religious impressions. There are tides in the affairs of spiritual as well as secular concerns. 2. The scene. They retired from the hum and bustle of the city into the solitudes and sublimities of nature. "By a river side." Few objects in nature are more beautiful and suggestive than a river. Emblem of life, ever changing; emblem of the universe, flowing on forever. The Jews were accustomed to have their proseuche built near water, that they might attend to the various ablutions connected with their religious rites. To Christianity all places are alike sacred. "God is a Spirit." 3. The style. They did not stand erect in the attitude of orators, they sat "down," mingled with the people. They did not deliver set discourses, but "spake," talked. What did they talk about? The beauties of nature? the immortality of the soul? the providence of the Eternal? If they referred to these, Christ and His Cross were, we may rest assured, their grand theme. II. THE FIRST GOSPEL HEARERS IN EUROPE. Who were they? Poets, statesmen, philosophers, heroes, kings? No! "Women." Why women and not men? Perhaps because the men came at another hour, or because the women had a special service for themselves. Did wives meet there to pray for their husbands, and sisters for their brothers, etc.? All we know is, that women are always more religiously disposed than men. Note — 1. That the gospel is universally appreciable. Had the apostles felt that the truth required culture, logic, philosophic acumen, they would have gone first, not only to men, but to men of the higher type. But they felt that the gospel, being a revelation of facts, character, love, all that was required was the common intuitions and sympathies of a woman's nature. 2. That the gospel honours the female character. All religions but that of the Bible degrade women; and though, as in the more civilised parts of the world, she may be petted, she is still a slave to man. The gospel honours woman. The Saviour was born of a woman. Women were amongst His followers. He showed Himself to women after His resurrection, and the apostles now preached in Europe first to women. Woman is under special obligation to the gospel. 3. That the gospel has a regard to social influence. Woman has a greater influence on the race than man has. When she acts worthily of her nature, her influence as sister, wife, mother, is regal. III. THE FIRST GOSPEL CONVERT IN EUROPE. "A certain woman named Lydia," etc. Observe — 1. Her secular calling. "A seller of purple." Purple was a colour got from a shellfish, and of great cost and richness. It was chiefly worn by the wealthy and great. This woman was in trade. 2. Her religious character. "Which worshipped God," i.e., she was a proselyte; a formal worshipper of the God of Abraham. 3. Her spiritual change. (1) Its subject. The "heart." This, notwithstanding her religious profession, had been closed. The spirit of truth had not entered it. Avarice, prejudice, habit, shut up the heart. (2) Its cause. "The Lord opened" it. Not by a miracle, not irrespective of means, but by certain influences. Sabbath day associations, natural scenery, the presence and speeches of the apostles, etc., disposed her to listen to what Paul had to say. (3) Its proof. (a) Teachableness. "She attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." As a thirsty soul she drank in the new truths. (b) Profession. She avowed symbolically the necessity of a cleansing influence for herself and household. (c) Gratitude. "If ye have judged me," etc. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. |
    |