Acts 16:11-15

Acts 16:11-15

[11] loosing  from  Troas,  we came with a straight course  to  Samothracia,  the next  day to  [12] to  Philippi,  which  the chief  city  of that part  of Macedonia,  and a colony:  and  in  city  abiding  certain  days.  [13] And  on the sabbath  we went  out of  by  a river side,  where  prayer  was wont  and  we sat down,  and spake  unto the women  which resorted  [14] 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.  [15] And  when  she was baptized,  and  her  household,  she besought  us, saying,  If  ye have judged  faithful  to the Lord,  come  into  house,  and abide  there. And  she constrained 

What does Acts 16:11-15 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Luke recorded Paul"s ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea to continue his history of Jesus" works in Macedonia.
The Macedonians were a distinct national group, though they had strong ties to the Greeks. They had offered the most stubborn resistance against Rome"s efforts to extend its influence. In an attempt to break down their strong nationalistic spirit of independence, Rome divided Macedonian territory into four districts each of which had its own local government under Rome. We see this stubborn character in the Macedonians" reaction to Paul"s preaching. Nevertheless once won over, the Macedonian converts became just as loyal to Paul as they had been hostile to him at first.