the first Christian convert in Europe
Who was the first Christian convert in Europe? Would you like to meet her? Come on along with me and we’ll go back to the ancient Greek city of Philippi. It was the location where the first conversion to Christianity happened in Europe. At least the first conversion recorded in the Bible. The Apostle Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey. In that place, Paul began a love affair between the Philippians and Jesus. It came about like this:
‘The Lord Opened Her Heart’
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:14-15 NIV
Seeing with the eyes of Christ
Lydia and the other Philippians immediately saw the world through the eyes of Christ. They realized that earthly life held no lasting or permanent charms, so they turned to the spiritual truth found only in Jesus.
Once they heard the gospel message through Paul, the Philippians embraced it immediately; letting go of idol worship and freeing themselves from the cares and anxieties of the world.
the philippians embraced the gospel
Paul asked the Philippians to join with him and make his joy complete by following the example of Christ. And they did exactly that. No bickering, gossip, pettiness, envy, or strife. They loved Paul, they loved one another, and they grew in their faith in Jesus Christ.
The people of Philippi embraced Christ and they loved Paul because he brought them the Good News about Jesus.
They were like a child prodigy who turns to music with joy and learns at a rapid pace with little urging. Before long, the child sings or plays the piano or guitar with natural skill and uncomplicated pleasure.
‘I Thank God every time i remember you’
I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phiippians 1:3-6 NIV
the first christian conver in Europe
The joy felt by Lydia and the people of Philippi cannot be understood in plain human terms. God must touch our hearts before any of this makes sense to us. Choosing joy can occur in the ‘twinkling of an eye’ or it can be the work of a lifetime. Lydia, the first Christian convert in Europe, chose joy.
Why not choose joy just like Lydia and the Philippians?
Go here next:
