The beauty of Lydia
Kyle Bruinooge examines the account of Lydia's conversion in Acts 16 to demonstrate Paul's high regard for women in gospel ministry, while affirming biblical restrictions on women's church office. The article argues that Paul's teachings on gender roles are consistent with Scripture's inspiration and that women played vital roles in the growth of the early church, illustrating how God's design for distinct roles is compatible with spiritual equality in Christ.
Mr. Kyle Bruinooge teacher of New Testament history at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan and member of Faith PRC in Jenison, Michigan And 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 unto the things which were spoken of Paul. Acts 16:14 Several of Paul's teachings are not popular in the church world today, particularly regarding women and church office (I Cor. 14:34; I...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org