“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:10-11).
Recent mission work for Paul and Silas had been difficult. In Philippi, they angered the local fortune-tellers union and landed in jail. In Thessalonica, their preaching in the synagogue prompted their opponents to form “...a mob and set the city in an uproar.” When the missionaries escaped arrest, the mob turned their wrath on local believers. Yes, they had success in both places, but the opposition was strong.
What a blessing it must have been, at least initially, to come to Berea. As usual, the missionaries begin their efforts in the local synagogue. But the listeners in the Berean synagogue were a breath of fresh air for the beleaguered preachers. Luke tells us that “...they were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
Could the words just quoted above describe you and me? First of all, do we make it a priority to be present when God’s word is being taught? Are we with fellow students in “the synagogue?” Second, are we eager to receive God’s word? Do we come with a desire to learn or are we just filling a chair? Third, do we spend time in the Bible to determine if what we are being taught lines up with what God says? Nowhere do the Scriptures teach that we are to blindly accept whatever a religious teacher says.
The church desperately needs more Berean believers. Although trouble would eventually come to Berea as well, what an encouragement it must have been for Paul and Silas to have these kinds of learners in class! Be a blessing to your church family. Be a Berean believer.
God loves you!
Mike
No comments:
Post a Comment