After being run out of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul traveled to Berea. Berea was not a thriving Macedonia city. Instead, it was a small town “off a beaten path.”
In the synagogue, Paul met some people who deeply loved and appreciated God’s word. They are described as “more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Consider three things that becoming a “Berean” requires.
It requires having a high regard for all the Scriptures.
- The Old Testament Scriptures are primarily under consideration in Acts 17:11.
- Paul’s normal method of evangelism was to immediately preach in a Jewish synagogue upon entering a city (Acts 17:1-3, 10). The Jews were to hear the gospel first (Romans 1:16).
- The New Testament canon was not finished when Paul preached to the Bereans. The Scriptures he explained were the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms (Luke 24:44-46). The apostles helped them understand how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament!
- We also need to be passionate about the Old Testament. By studying the Old Testament, we better understand Jesus and God’s plan to save through Him. We also learn many important things about God’s nature, love, judgment, grace, and how we can serve him faithfully today (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4).
It requires searching the Scriptures.
- The Bereans didn’t just listen to Paul preach the gospel. They also opened the Bible and carefully examined what he was teaching (Acts 17:11).
- Studying for ourselves is necessary to develop and maintain our own faith. It is necessary to develop faith in God and not a preacher (Romans 10:17).
- Even though Paul was an inspired apostle, the Bereans would not accept his teaching if it wasn’t backed up by Scripture.
It requires being converted by the Scriptures.
- After hearing and studying God’s word, many Bereans became disciples (Acts 17:11-12).
- In addition to Jews, many important Greek men and women obeyed the gospel. In Berea, the racism between the Jews and Gentiles was being torn down! They all were being added to the one body of Christ (Galatians 3:25-29).
- The Bible is a book that shouldn’t be just read and studied. It also must be obeyed! It must transform our lives and make us disciples of Jesus (Matthew 7:24-27).
- The Bereans were noble in the eyes of God because of their attitude toward His word!
Conclusion:
Do you also need to respond in obedience to God’s powerful word (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38)?