One thing is sure; all sinners are the same in condemnation and the same in their need of the gospel of redemption. Can you imagine any two people more different than Lydia and the Philippian jailor?
Lydia is no doubt the refined lady who was in the habit of prayer and the worship of God as she understood it. (Acts 16:13 -14). Yet as Paul spoke the gospel of Christ she heard, the Lord opened her heart, and caused her to attend unto the things which were spoken by Paul. She must hear the truth of Christ or else remain without a true knowledge of God.
The Philippian jailor is an old soldier who has been in the wars and now has been appointed to a rather important office, jailor at Philippi. He has shed the blood of many men and is of a coarse nature. He is rough and tough, because these prisoners cannot be kept with gentleness. He has no hesitation in using the whip on their bare backs. What will the gospel do with such a man? The same as it did with Lydia, for both are only sinners. The power of God operates on every heart in the same manner.
People say, "Did you hear about old Bill? The Lord saved him. Isn't that a miracle? He sure did need to be saved." Then some dear sweet lady is converted who has been in church all her life and someone says, "Why I just knew she was alright." Did you now? Have you forgotten that "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3: 10). Neither Lydia nor the jailor had an ounce of righteousness. I suspect that when we say that someone else sure does need to be saved, that we are counting ourselves as somewhat less than as bad as they are. Only God can show us that