But one of the elders said, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David has prevailed to open the scroll and loose its seven seals." - Revelations 5:5

« Doctrines :: Noble Bereans?

Two Minutes With the Bible
THE NOBLE BEREANS AND THE BIBLE

by Cornelius R. Stam, with New Covenant answers by Pastor Ron Kosor
Many Christian groups and organizations call themselves Bereans, but it is surprising how few people know what a true Berean is. The 17th chapter of Acts relates how Paul called upon his kinsmen at Thessalonica and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, trying to show them that Jesus was the Christ.

 

Why did Paul travel with Timothy through "these cities" in Acts 16:4-6? He was delivering the decrees that had been decided on. Thessalonica was one of them.

Steeped in their own religion, however, the majority were unwilling even to consider the truths Paul proclaimed.

What was the gospel Paul proclaimed? Why did he go to these cities? It was to deliver the decrees that were decided on in Acts 15. This was, is and will always be the gospel that Paul was committed to. He preached Jesus Christ's birth, death , burial , and resurrection. Four points all in my book " UNVEILING THE NEW COVENANT".
Indeed, they resented the fact that some did believe and, in their bigotry, set all the city on an uproar. Finally Paul's life was in such peril that the Christians there sent him away by night to Berea, a town about forty miles away. At Berea Paul again sought out his "kinsmen according to the flesh” and what a different reception! Here is what the record says: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).

What things were so? The things they decided on in Acts 15--- what were they to do with us Gentiles after we believed in JESUS? We were viewed differently than the Jewish believers, according to Paul's gospel, or should I just say, the gospel.

These people did not immediately close their eyes to further light. On the contrary, they gave Paul an interested hearing, listening with open minds to what he had to say. But they were not gullible either for, having listened to Paul, they subjected his word to God's Word, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so. For this God called them "noble". They were the true spiritual aristocracy of their day.

 

This is the way we all need to be today. If we all would search the scriptures daily, we would all be more mature,--- adults, if you would, Bereans in the faith.

We should all be Bereans, spiritually big enough to listen with open minds to the teachings of men, and then big enough to subject their teachings to the Word of God, the Bible, to see for ourselves whether these things are so. Our Lord said: "Search the Scriptures for they testify of Me". (John 5:39). As we do this we will find eternal life, and more, in Christ.

 

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"...to make all men see"(Ephesians 3:9)