New Friends, New Places, and an Open Heart (Acts 16:1–15)
As Paul continued his journey to share the good news about Jesus, Acts 16 introduces us to new friendships, divine direction, and an amazing woman named Lydia whose heart was opened by God. It’s a short passage, but it’s packed with encouragement about how God leads and opens doors—both literally and spiritually.
Meeting Timothy — A Young Man with a Good Heart
Paul arrived in a city called Lystra, where he met a young believer named Timothy. Timothy’s mother was a Jewish believer in Jesus, but his father was Greek. Everyone in the nearby towns spoke well of Timothy, and Paul could see that this young man had great potential.
So Paul invited Timothy to join him on his journey. From that moment on, Timothy became like a son to Paul. He would later go on to become a trusted church leader and even receive two letters from Paul (1 & 2 Timothy in the Bible).
Even though Paul believed that salvation came by grace—not by following Jewish customs—he had Timothy circumcised. Why? Because it helped remove barriers when sharing the gospel with Jewish people. Paul was always looking for ways to connect with people and build bridges, not walls.
Following God’s Direction — Even When It’s Not Clear
As Paul, Timothy, and the team traveled through different regions, they had a plan—but God kept redirecting them. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit stopped them from going to certain places, and they weren’t allowed to enter others.
That might sound confusing, but it shows how closely Paul was listening to God.
Then something special happened: Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia (a region in northern Greece), saying,
“Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Paul understood that this was God’s call to go in a new direction. So he and his team quickly made plans to go to Macedonia, trusting that God had something important waiting for them there.
An Open Heart in Philippi — Lydia Believes
Their journey took them to the city of Philippi, a Roman colony in Macedonia. On the Sabbath, instead of going to a synagogue (which the city probably didn’t have), Paul and his team went outside the city to a riverbank, where people were known to gather for prayer.
There, they met a group of women, including a businesswoman named Lydia. She sold purple cloth, which was very expensive and popular among the wealthy. Lydia was a worshiper of God, but she hadn’t yet heard the full message of Jesus.
As Paul spoke, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to believe the message. She was baptized along with her whole household. Then she invited Paul and his companions to stay at her home, showing generous hospitality.
What We Can Learn from Acts 16:1–15
- God uses people of all ages
Timothy was young, but Paul saw his faith and potential. God can use anyone who is willing to follow Him. - God sometimes redirects our plans
Paul wanted to go one way, but the Holy Spirit led him another. When we’re open to God’s guidance, He leads us exactly where we need to be. - God prepares hearts ahead of time
Lydia was already seeking God, and when she heard the message about Jesus, she was ready to respond. God had prepared her heart. - Hospitality is part of ministry
Lydia didn’t just listen—she opened her home. Her kindness helped support Paul and his team in their mission.
Final Thought:
This part of Acts reminds us that God is always working—even when we’re unsure of the next step. He leads, He prepares hearts, and He uses people like Timothy, Paul, and Lydia to make a difference. When we stay open to His direction, amazing things happen.
Acts 16:1-15 (WEB)
16:1 He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him. 3 Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.6 When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them. 11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.13 On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.