The Gospel brought into Europe.
We have in this story:
I. The old lesson of the power of small things, or rather the power of the earnest heart and steady purpose working by means of common things. Although the Apostle has come by Divine sanction to far-famed Philippi, he comes like an ordinary traveller, goes out quietly to the banks of the little stream, where he has heard that there is prayer, and even then he does not preach, but sits down and talks to the listening women. How many Christian people still have no other opportunity than just such as this, and could not use a greater if it were given. All they can do is to talk to a few simple folk, women or men, or young people. But how great the results may be! How one becomes many, and simplicity becomes grandeur! Call nothing little, call nothing common; if you can speak to fellow-mortals of Christ's grace and the Father's love, know that you are standing at the source of rivers of immortal life.
II. It is a notable thing that the first European convert is a woman. Lydia is a kind of personal Jerusalem she is the mother of us all. She stands here at the gate of the Western continent, is the first to receive the blessing and to send it on. In that fact we have the pledge and actual beginning of woman's elevation. She is no longer to be drudge, slave, plaything to man. She is to enter the kingdom by his side. Christ's gospel is a kingdom of souls, of sacrifice, of virtues; and they stand highest in it who have the simplest faith, the largest charities, the tenderest hearts.
III. We have in the deliverance of the slave-girl another typical and prophetic circumstance. It would be almost universally allowed that the two most important social revolutions produced by Christianity are the amelioration of the condition of woman and the abolition of slavery. And here in Philippi we have the second as well as the first.
IV. The conversion of the jailer, who was probably a Roman soldier, points to the influence that the Christian religion was destined to exert over law and political institutions and prevailing idolatries and civil governments. This conquest over a soldier and servant of Rome is indicative of the subjection of the great empire herself under the sway of the Cross.
V. The order of the conversions is worthy of notice. The proselyte, the Greek, the Roman that has been the order of the diffusion of Christianity throughout the world; and it is so in principle at this day. We expect our first successes among those who have had some religious advantages, our next among the susceptible around, and our last among the men of the world.
VI. Observe also the recognised importance of the family in this wonderful narrative. There are three converts, and two of them bring their households with them. The family is to be, in God's plan, one organic whole, not a number of separate and jarring individualities.
VII. Finally, Jesus Christ stands out here, as everywhere, to be worshipped, trusted, loved, and followed. Believe on Him, and thou shalt be saved. Honour Him, and He will give thee honour. Open to Him thy house, and He will fill it with the fragrance of His presence.
A. Raleigh, From Dawn to the Perfect Day,p. 265.