Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul, a pivotal figure in the early Christian church, was instrumental in spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire. His missionary journeys, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles and his epistles, highlight several instances where women were converted through his preaching. These conversions underscore the transformative power of the Gospel and the significant role women played in the early church.Lydia of Thyatira One of the most notable conversions is that of Lydia, a seller of purple goods from the city of Thyatira. Her account is recounted in Acts 16:13-15. Paul encountered Lydia in Philippi, where she was gathered with other women by the river for prayer. "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message" (Acts 16:14). Lydia's conversion is significant as she became the first recorded European convert to Christianity. Her home subsequently became a meeting place for believers, indicating her influential role in the early church. Damaris of Athens Another woman converted through Paul's preaching is Damaris, mentioned in Acts 17:34. During Paul's time in Athens, he delivered a sermon at the Areopagus, addressing the city's philosophers and thinkers. While many mocked him, some believed, including "a woman named Damaris" (Acts 17:34). Although little is known about her, Damaris's conversion amidst a predominantly skeptical audience highlights the reach of Paul's message and the openness of some women to the Gospel. Women in Thessalonica and Berea In Thessalonica, Paul's preaching in the synagogue over three Sabbaths led to the conversion of "a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women" (Acts 17:4). Similarly, in Berea, many believed, including "a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men" (Acts 17:12). These accounts emphasize the receptivity of women to the Gospel and their prominence in the communities where Paul ministered. Phoebe of Cenchreae While not directly converted by Paul, Phoebe is mentioned in Romans 16:1-2 as a "servant of the church in Cenchreae" and is commended by Paul for her assistance to many, including himself. Her inclusion in Paul's letter to the Romans suggests her significant role in the early church and her likely conversion through the broader influence of Paul's ministry. Priscilla Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, is frequently mentioned in Paul's letters and the Acts of the Apostles. While the details of her conversion are not explicitly recorded, her close association with Paul and her active role in teaching Apollos (Acts 18:26) indicate her deep commitment to the faith. Priscilla's partnership with Paul in ministry highlights the active participation of women in the spread of the Gospel. These accounts of women converted by Paul's preaching illustrate the inclusive nature of the early Christian message and the vital contributions of women to the nascent church. Their accounts reflect the breaking down of social barriers and the unifying power of the Gospel, as proclaimed by Paul, in transforming lives across diverse cultural contexts. Nave's Topical Index Acts 16:14,15And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul. Nave's Topical Index Acts 17:4,12,34 Library The Women of the Apostolic Age Preaching the Gospel, Healing the Sick The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians The Propagation of Christianity. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea. Something Different from the New Birth. The Extension of the Church Throughout the World The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. The Epistles of St. Paul The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ... Resources What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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