The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Oikos Baptism

Pete,

Not sure what your point is? Lydia was a "worshiper of God" which I believe you are correct in concluding this is a term used to designate a specific type of people who were outside of Israel, etc. But, she was yet unconverted not having heard that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah spoken of in the O.T. prophecies. However, when Paul and those with him began teaching about the things of God, salvation, Jesus Christ, etc., the Holy Spirit working with and through this spoken Word (Gospel), regenerated her dead soul and consequently she responded; aka: came under conviction of sin and believed upon Christ with a living faith. And thus, having given a credible profession of faith even at that very moment, which I think was more than obvious to Paul & co., she and her household were baptized.

Not that you are implying any such thing, but unbelieving adults who might have been part of Lydia's "household" were surely not baptized. Neither should one think that young children were baptized. But as was the practice, infants and babes were baptized along with their parents as they were considered part of the covenant community; set apart from the rest of the world since they are not unclean (1Cor 7:14). Is it necessary that these baptized infants hear the Gospel and be urged to repent of their sins and turn to Christ in faith? You betcha.... covenant members (external) have great privileges but those privileges are the means of grace which if God wills they may lead to salvation.

In His grace,