Why is it significant that Lydia was a businesswoman and worshiped God?

Lydia, identified as a seller of purple from Thyatira, reflects how God’s call to salvation encompasses diverse backgrounds and professions. Her status as a businesswoman does not preclude her from understanding and receiving the gospel; rather, it highlights that God's grace is not restricted to societal norms or expectations. In Acts 16:14, Lydia is described as a worshiper of God, already seeking truth and showing a responsiveness to divine revelation.

This context reminds us that God's grace is predicated not on our professions or status, but on His redemptive purpose. Lydia’s narrative reinforces the Reformed understanding that God's elect come from every corner of society, chosen by Him to respond to His gospel. Her conversion models a faith that transforms and leads to an active response, embracing community through baptism as a testament of newfound faith—a crucial theme echoing throughout Scripture.