Act 16:11-15 "A Place Of Prayer"

Some Church going folks believe that worship is not validated unless it is held in a large cathedral, a multimillion dollar edifice, or a 5000-seat dome. Others will perpetuate the idea that worship is unacceptable unless the church is packed to capacity and the worship leader is a man. Then there are some, young women in particular, who do not feel that they have been preached to unless there is a man in the house. Sadly, there are some who just refuse to be a member of a church that is led by a woman. Ironically, the above statements are full of nonsense, but such statement have been connected to the ordinances of God. Moreover, these nonsensical issues have been taught to be God-ordered. As it is ludicrous to believe in slavery because of color, it is as outrageous to think that God does not select women into the ministry because of gender. As I reflect on catechism for my ordination I remember a particular sessions with a former pastor. In the session we discussed the disadvantage of a female leading the worship service. In my theological career, at the time, I was extremely fundamental. My drive for the Lord was quite subjective to what the Bible says. But that was before I saw the crowd that stoned Stephen. I was asked this question: "How will you respond to a person who refuse to believe that women should preach. I gave a simplistic, rookie response. When I think about the response now it seems too elementary to hold water. I was extremely naive and zealous for the gospel, as I thought the gospel should be preached. Another question was asked: "Do you think it is easy for women in the Church to see you in the pulpit?" I thought to myself, "Why will it not be easy? I am a woman and they are women. It stands to reason that women in the Church will support me." I was wrong again. The questions continued and the interrogation became more annoying. The committee was an all male committee. One member said, "You will destroy fantasies of the women." "What fantasies?" I asked to myself. I was told that I will interfere with the gospel of their day dreams. "They won't be able to fantasize with you in the same way that they can fantasize with a man in the pulpit." In my ignorance I thought, "My Lord, don't people come to Church to worship God? How can he dare sit here and say these things to me? Doesn't he know that I am a God-fearing woman, trying to

answer a call? Why doesn't he shut up and get to the real questions?" I discovered a short time later that these are the real questions. I have unearthed some startling truths about the members in the pews on Sunday mornings. These truths have disclosed that people, women in particular and men in general, vicariously worship God through the worship leader, the Pastor. Some are there to enjoy a fantasy about their husband. Others are there to be hugged by another man and not feel guilty. There are all kinds of reasons why people come to worship. However popular the beliefs concerning women as worship leaders, these beliefs have been practiced for centuries. These beliefs are at the top of todays theological agenda for debate. Therefore, I thought it was in order that we travel back to the first century and see how the women dealt with the issue. In Act 16:11-15 we read about some missionaries looking for a place to worship on a Sabbath day. These missionaries traveled from Traos to the city of Philippi, Macedonia. This narrative is a part of the story where Paul has a dream. In the dream, a man is seen waving to Paul, asking him to "come over and help us." They assume that this is a vision from the Lord. So Paul and company took off on a two-day cruise to Philippi. Jewish customs say that a synagogue is established where there are at least ten (10) men gathered. But since these colony towns are designed specifically for retired Roman soldiers, accented with Greek culture, the likelihood of a synagogue is small. Additionally, Paul and company are marketing a foreign religion. Moreover, it is unlawful to peddle an unknown god within the city's gate. "So, on the Sabbath we went outside of the city's gate, down to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. Paul and his companions are unable to find the ten men warranted to constitute a synagogue because Jewish culture is not dominant at Philippi. Contrary to the customs of Paul and company, they did find a "Place of Prayer." Even though the Greek word for "Place of Prayer" can connote or become a replacement for synagogue, that will be stretching for the truth. But, some scholars do not mind stretching the truth and accepting this kind of replacement word. This "Place of Prayer" is presumably an outdoor meeting place used by Jews because there is no synagogue. There is not found ten men to constitute one. So who is found making up this outdoor house

of prayer? According to the text, it is Lydia and her household. Some wealthy, non-Jewish women become patrons of Judaism. Judaism is the practice of the Jewish cult with all of it formal ceremonial rituals and rites. The text calls her a God-Fearer. She is an entrepreneur and manages her own business. Lydia sells purple cloth which is an especially prized and well sough-after commodity in Phillipi. Lydia is considered to be a Jewish adherent along with the few Jews in the city who are mostly women. These handfull of worshipers are accustomed to gathering down by the river in a place of prayer on the Sabbath. Apparently this gathering of worshiping women made a tremendous impact on the city, because Paul and company said, "We expected to find a 'Place of Prayer' by the river." They are told of a place frequented mostly by the women. They are told to go down to the river and are sent out of the city. Most people will ask someone where the local Church is when they are in an unfamiliar town. My family and I visited St. Simons Island for a fourth of July holiday. I knew there should be a Baptist Church in the area. So I called the front desk. They told me the name of the Church and the name of the Pastor of the Church. Therefore, as the text points out, Paul and company expected to find a synagogue because it was their custom to worship on the Sabbath. However, instead of finding a synagogue facilitated by Jewish men, they find a place of prayer led by women. Keep in mind that fewer than ten men are present because it is not considered a synagogue. The people of the city did not refer to it as a synagogue. This place is outside of the gates of the city. It is outside of the norm of worship for Paul and company. Second, the place is run by the women who gather there each Sabbath to worship God. This place of prayer is well established prior to the arrival of Paul and company. The text indicates that the service is already in progress as Paul and his entourage approach. Thus, Paul and his companions sit down and participate in the service that is well in progress. The fact that they sat down can clearly be seen and understood that Paul and company are not the worship leaders. They are led in worship by the women who are there at the river before they arrive. Paul does not come down to the river and take over the service. They take a seat. Someone escorts them to a place of rest. They are participants in the worship experience. The verb used in the text is the aorist active participle. This verb describes the history of what happens in a story. They sat down,

constituting space and time. The conjunction "and" is used pointing to one event after another is finished. After the worship service is over they talk. After that, we held a conversation with the women. They are not teaching or preaching but participating in the worship experience. They are appointed to a place. They are shown an experience from a different perspective. They encountered God from another angle. They are taken out of their Jewish habits and lead to another world of worship. They are introduced to the broader view of the Church as God would have them experience. What happened to Paul and company by the river at the place of prayer? Paul and company see the reality of the Church as God will have it to include sons and daughters of God. All of these "shall prophecy in my name." I can imagine that the text in Joel comes to mind as they sit and see the reality of God manifest itself right before their faces. Surely these must have been some kind of signs and wonders as they sit there in worship. They must have revisited the words of the prophet Joel. "I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophecy. Upon your servants and your handmaiden, they shall prophecy." Paul sat at the experience of someone else in worship. The text says that after that they conversed with the women. Paul shares in the women's experience and present his intentions for mission to the women who are gathered there. After the prayer service is over they share with each other in a place of prayer. They communicate with each other. They commune with each other and mutually agree with each other. They become partners in the effort of sharing the gospel. We must remember that the norm for Paul and company is to worship in a synagogue on the Sabbath. Since there is no synagogue, they are impelled to venture beyond their own reality. They find a shortage of men. In addition to a shortage of men they are compelled to worship on the outside of the city. The worship service is lead by women who are Jewish converts, Lydia and her household. This is definitely not the norm for these Jewish pedigrees. But, because of the availability of Lydia and her household, a wealth of opportunity is explored. When Lydia converts to Christianity her house becomes the home base for Paul's mission in Philippi. This calls to mind the words of Jesus that where two or three are gathered in my name I am in the middle of the gathering. I am in the center of all of it. So then, does it matter how small the group is or how large the place of worship is? This small group of women meet every Sabbath at the place of prayer

down by the river. They pray and encourage each other. These women understand that their worship is not validated by Paul nor his companions, but by the committed efforts to meet and encourage the members faithfulness. Who make up this house of prayer? Certainly, when we look around we do not see ten men here. We see mostly women, working women. These women, you women, are considered the God-fearing women like those of Lydia's household. Paul counted Lydia and her household worthy because they are believers in the Lord. Lydia possesses the persuasive power needed to convince Paul and company to abide with her and her household. Lydia has the kind of power and enthusiasm to begin the first Church at Philippi. She has the kind of power to go beyond the norm and find true worship. Lydia has the kind of power that allows nothing to separate her from the love of God found in Christ Jesus. What then shall we say, If God be for us who shall stand against us? It is God who calls us. It is God who justifies us. It is God who sets us up as leaders, dynamic leaders, worship leaders who offer no excuse or apology for our course in preaching and teaching to gospel at every opportunity. By that I am persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Women go forth in the gospel! Preach the word in season when all is well! Preach it urgently out of season when no one is interested in hearing a word from the Lord! Preach! Preach! Preach! Bibliography The Hebrew Greek Study Bible- New International Version Laymon, Charles M. The Interpreters One-Volume Commentary of the Bible. Mays, James L. The Harper Bible Commentary