“Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.” –Acts 17:10-12.
When the citizens of Thessalonica stirred up trouble against the mission team made up of Paul, Silas and Timothy, their Christian friends in that city helped the men to leave by night. Their next stop for preaching and teaching was the city of Berea. A Jewish synagogue was already established there. In that location Paul preached that Christ was the Messiah foretold by the prophets.
A good thing happened at Berea. The people met together, received the word “with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find whether these things were so.” They were inspired, of course, by Paul’s word, but they searched out the answers for themselves.
A favorite name used for Sunday School classes is Berean, for good reason. The ones who met in Berea to hear Paul “searched the Scriptures daily” and sought the truths found therein. When people honestly search the Scriptures, they discover the truth. The Word of God is more powerful than a two-edged sword, we are told in Hebrews 4:12-13. Paul no doubt preached with authority. But the people themselves searched for truth from the scrolls of Scriptures available to them in the synagogue at Berea. This openness to God’s truth resulted in many conversions there, both of men and women, of Jews and Greeks. Those who didn’t want Paul to preach in Thessalonica soon heard of the Berean ministry. They went to Berea and stirred up trouble. Again, Paul was sent on his way to the coast and then escorted to Athens. But Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for awhile, no doubt teaching the eager learners. Later they joined Paul in Athens.
We can learn much from the Bereans’ example. Study God’s Word, for in it are found answers to the issues of life. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The words of Psalm 119:103 should be our daily testimony: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” “O how I love Thy Word. It is my meditation day and night.” (Ps. 119:97).
A good thing happened at Berea. The people met together, received the word “with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to find whether these things were so.” They were inspired, of course, by Paul’s word, but they searched out the answers for themselves.
A favorite name used for Sunday School classes is Berean, for good reason. The ones who met in Berea to hear Paul “searched the Scriptures daily” and sought the truths found therein. When people honestly search the Scriptures, they discover the truth. The Word of God is more powerful than a two-edged sword, we are told in Hebrews 4:12-13. Paul no doubt preached with authority. But the people themselves searched for truth from the scrolls of Scriptures available to them in the synagogue at Berea. This openness to God’s truth resulted in many conversions there, both of men and women, of Jews and Greeks. Those who didn’t want Paul to preach in Thessalonica soon heard of the Berean ministry. They went to Berea and stirred up trouble. Again, Paul was sent on his way to the coast and then escorted to Athens. But Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for awhile, no doubt teaching the eager learners. Later they joined Paul in Athens.
We can learn much from the Bereans’ example. Study God’s Word, for in it are found answers to the issues of life. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The words of Psalm 119:103 should be our daily testimony: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” “O how I love Thy Word. It is my meditation day and night.” (Ps. 119:97).
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Friday, April 30, 2010
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