Reading for May 19th

Read Acts 16.11-24
In 16.11-40: The mission to Philippi.
In verse 12: Paul's letter to "all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi" (Phil 1.1) reveals his enduring bond with them.
In verse 13-14: The place of prayer (see also 16.16) was clearly a gathering for Jewish worship on the sabbath day, whether or not it was a proper synagogue," and Lydia was already a worshiper of God whether Jewish or gentile.
Thyatira was in central Asia Minor, from which Paul had just come (Rev 2.18-29).
Purple textiles were clothing of the wealthy(Lk 16.19).
To say the Lord opened her heart to listen is to suggest the miracle of faith (Lk 24.32-33, 45; contrast Acts 28.26-28).
In verse 15: The merchant Lydia has sufficient means to support the mission (Lk 8.3), urging her hospitality as a sign of acceptance (Lk 19.5; 24.29).
On the baptism of her household, see also 10.24, 44-48; 11.14; 16.31-34.
In verse 16: Her spirit of divination claimed links with the "Python spirit" of the serpent oracle of Delphi.
In verse 17: In Luke, the Most high is a biblical title for God (Lk 1.32, 35, 76; 6.35), but the Most High God is a phrase used in recognition by those possessed by a lesser spirit, provoking an exorcism (Lk 8.28-29).
In verses 19-22: Her owners' only hope for her was making money (8.14-24; 19.23-40), and their accusations against the Jews for making Roman adopt unlawful customs may again allude to circumcision.
Their case is without merit on both grounds, but it stirs the crowd (compare Luke 23.1-25).
In verse 24: The security measures recall Peter's imprisonment in 12.4.
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