使徒言行録16:11-15　Acts 16:11-15,

Paul was in the city of Troas, located at the northwestern tip of modern-day Turkey, when he heard a voice in a dream saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Macedonia is in the northern part of modern-day Greece. Paul realised that God was calling him to preach the gospel of Jesus to the people of Macedonia. So, he boarded a ship from Troas and sailed to the port of Neapolis in Macedonia. From there, he walked about 16 kilometres to the city of Philippi.

In today’s Bible passage, verse 12 describes Philippi as “a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony.” A “Roman colony” refers to a city established by former Roman soldiers after they had left the military. When Paul preached Jesus, he typically began by going to the synagogues where Jews gathered to explain that Jesus Christ was the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, there was no synagogue in Philippi. However, there was a place outside the city where Jews gathered to pray. Verse 13 states, “And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” It was likely that Jews were not permitted to pray within the city. About two kilometres from the city of Philippi was the Gangites River. On the bank of that river, Jews and those who worshipped God gathered to pray on the Sabbath. Paul joined that prayer meeting.

As mentioned in verse 14, “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Lydia was not a Jew, but she believed in and worshipped the God who had created all things in heaven and earth as taught in the Old Testament. She also attended the prayer meeting. Lydia was “a seller of purple goods.” Purple goods were valuable fabrics made by extracting purple dye from the body fluid of sea snails. Purple goods were used for the clothing of high-ranking people at that time, so Lydia, who was “a seller of purple goods,” was likely a wealthy and independent woman. However, despite her wealth, she did not enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. She sought the unchanging blessings of God.

As it says, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul,” the Lord Jesus in heaven sent the Holy Spirit to open Lydia’s heart and led her to believe in Jesus’ salvation. Lydia and her household were baptised and became Christians. Not only that, Lydia said to Paul and his companions, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” She was so eager that she prevailed upon Paul and his companions. She wanted to serve others by sharing Jesus’ salvation with them. Thus, worship began in Lydia’s house, and the gospel of Jesus’ salvation was proclaimed, marking the beginning of the church in Philippi.

In this way, when people in a city are led by the Holy Spirit to believe in Jesus and begin to worship, a church is established. Our church also started by meeting in an ordinary house. Eventually, worship services began to be held every Sunday at Shiki Kindergarten, and it became Shiki Kita Mission Station. Then, 24 years ago, the church building was constructed. Furthermore, last year, the presbyterian church’s structure was established, and it has become Shiki Kita Presbyterian Church. Jesus, who is in heaven, sends the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of those he has chosen, enabling them to believe in Jesus and proclaim him. In this way, a church is established.