In that covenant is our salvation. Many over the years have drawn on passages in the Pauline epistles to infer that their author would deny women a leadership role, although recent scholarship has shown a more complex and nuanced view even in the letters. In Jewish law and tradition, women were not considered qualified to start a synagogue, or even counted as full members to constitute the necessary quorum to hold a service. After listening to Paul's teaching, she was baptized, along with her household, which included members of her family as well as slaves. Actions do speak louder than words, and Paul's evident respect for Lydia speaks volumes.
Lip service is never enough.
Our faith must be lived out in our behavior. This time they were accused of advocating Jewish practices that were illegal for the Roman citizens of Philippi to follow. Once they were in jail, the contrast between the fright of the jailer and the untroubled confidence of Paul and Silas is striking. The first Pentecost took place during that festival, and the outpouring of the Spirit marked a similarly consequential moment in the church's life, as the community of faith was empowered to take the gospel to all nations. The greatest transformation, however, may not have been the imparting of this missionary zeal, but the change that came over the disciples themselves.