During the second missionary journey, Paul was in Troas around AD 50. Paul had a vision in which a man from Macedonia was standing and begging him to come over and help. He decided to go to Macedonia along with Silas, Timothy, and Luke. (Acts 16:8-10) Paul reached the city of Philippi which was located in ancient Greece on the eastern border of the Roman Province of Macedonia. It was about 10 miles inland from the coast of the port city of Neapolis and was located on a trade highway to Rome. The ancient city of Crenides was renamed Philippi after Philip of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. The city had a mixed population of Thracians, Greeks, and Romans. Philippi had a medical school, where Dr. Luke perhaps studied. This church was healthy, comprised of all classes, generous, and supported missions.
No Synagogue: Paul had the discipline of attending synagogue worship on Sabbath days, but there were neither Jews nor a synagogue. Hence, he went to the riverfront for meditation and prayers. (Acts 16:13)
The Rich Woman: Paul met Lydia, a Gentile woman from the city of Thyatira who was a dealer in purple cloth and a worshiper of God. Paul shared the gospel with her as God opened her heart to respond in faith. She and her family members were baptized. Lydia opened her home to Paul and his team to stay with her. (Acts 16:14-15) As a dealer in purple cloth, she was rich and had a big home to extend hospitality to the guests.
The poor slave girl: One slave girl possessed by a demon by her fortune-telling earned huge profits for her masters. Paul delivered the girl from demon possession, which irritated the masters, who conspired to throw Paul and Silas in jail. (Acts 16:16-24)
The middle-class bureaucrat: In the jail, Paul and Silas sang, and there was an earthquake. Paul prevented Jailor from committing suicide, he and his family were baptized. (Acts 16:25-40)
Do I realize that the gospel is for all: rich, middle-class, and the poor?