Why do you conclude Jesus was the working force here? Are you familiar with the Athanasian creed?
So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not Three Lords but One Lord.
I just love it how folks start talking about whatever, with no regard for the OP. It's fantastic.
A little familiar, ie, off the top being a non-modern Lutheran, I view the Creeds secondary to the Scriptures of course. Secondly I don't have an issue regarding the Athanasian Creed regarding where one believes and confesses that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man, ie, from me: "in unity" is saved or something to this effect as been awhile. Regarding the Scriptures I believe the Triune God works salvation broadly speaking.
Now our verse contextually, Acts16:14, "the Lord", ie, she was hearing the blessed Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus has salvation, offers and bestows it, ie, to trust Him is to let Him give us that salvation thus the Lord stands.
Old Jack,
However thank you anyway.
I was talking about the OP.
Her heart was opened to a degree already with her original 'hearing' on her 1st Sabbath's 'hearing' thus it was necessary for Jesus to open her heart wide for a conversion by the Lord - come to a saving faith, ie, this is what was wong with her. I had to affirm that the "Lord" was the Lord Jesus Christ on an earlier post.
She had no "free-will" to choose of course, ie, the Lord opens the door so we can 'hear' the Word - no man or her can open that door, nor can help Him open that door.
Excellent thread and thank you for your patience,
Old Jack that appreciates you and your words.
They tend to stay away from threads like this. Their views border on Pelagianism.Where's free grace and jan?
Why is it necessary?
Acts16:14 Jesus must open one's heart in order for one to (hang on to your seat) acquire the Kingdom of God, ie, bestowed by one's hearing aright.
Little did Lydia even dream that Saturday morning what a treasure she was to find in the little retreat by the riverside; but she heard the great Apostle of the Gentiles himself set forth the blessed geopel of Jesus Christ with all fervor and all conviction, and this gospel was corroborated by his three companions if I recall correctly.
Old Jack
That's still not an answer to the question.
I strongly feel that "she wasn't yet in the Kingdom of God" is a valid answer unless you think the Kingdom of God is not the supreme concept in the N.T.?
I'm an old man with sometimers too often boardering on allstimers, ie, at least give an old man a clue what the answer may be?
Lots of mileage too,
Old Jack
This is what happens when the OP isn't address, and someone just jumps into the middle (i do it too).
What was wrong with he that she needed her heart opened to hear the gospel? Why couldn't she just decide to believe?
I normally due scrutinize the OP then jump in right where one is at Scripturally, placing the O.P. on the back burner, however will raise the bar regarding the O.P. the best I can, ie, thank you for the head's up, and clue.
Because her will regarding believing was already determined in eternity by God, and it was impossible for her to override God's will from eternity with any decisions of her own deciding, or not deciding to believe.
Old Jack
You are being evasive. The narrative says that the Lord opened Lydia's heart so that she listened to the apostles. You didn't touch upon it at all. You threw out a question as a diversion tactic.To respond. Could she have still responded negatively?
This is what happens when the OP isn't address, and someone just jumps into the middle (i do it too).
What was wrong with he that she needed her heart opened to hear the gospel? Why couldn't she just decide to believe?
You are being evasive. The narrative says that the Lord opened Lydia's heart so that she listened to the apostles. You didn't touch upon it at all. You threw out a question as a diversion tactic.
No. I didnt. I cut to the chase and nipped the OP off in the bud.