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. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Acts 16:14–15, ESV
Households baptized into the Lord. This is a common occurrence in the early Church when the head of the household would come to faith. Lydia was a woman of means. Society didn’t necessarily look up to her as a person who made her means in the selling of purple goods, but when she heard the Word of God, her heart was moved, and all who were in her household were baptized and taught the Word of God. Notice it didn’t say that her household all believed and were baptized, but that they were baptized. One must not proceed with the other, but both are called to occur. The importance of Baptism is that it is tied to teaching the faith, not because the promise is in the teaching but the other way around. In Baptism, we receive promises, and from then on, we are called to make sure that all who entered the waters know and receive that promise. It is the gift that is opened fully when we are reminded. This is a continual process as our Lord has received us in His warm embrace. It is the promise of healing, forgiveness, and, ultimately, eternal life. For those of us who have charge of our homes, it is vital that we carry the faith into our household to baptize and teach them all that Christ has done for them. It is where we find hope and how we are the bearers of peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.