Paul and Silas went into the synagogues of both the Thessalonicans and the Bereans and ‘reasoned with them out of the scriptures’. They expounded upon these three points: 1) Christ had to suffer unto death. 2) It was a must that Christ be risen again. 3) This man, Jesus, is THE Christ. There were two reasons why those in Berea were said to be ‘more noble than those in Thessalonica’.
First, they received the word with all readiness of
mind. When the Bereans came to worship
they came ready to hear the message of life or death. They were eager and
paid attention throughout the entire message.
The Bereans were not quick to cast away what was said like the Thessalonicans
but rather they received the word
with all readiness of mind, meditated, and prayed for wisdom concerning the
truth. When we leave the worship service
we should not leave the message also. Consider
what our pastor teaches us. Ask God
that he would grant a better understanding of these things.
Secondly, they searched the scriptures daily
whether those things were so. Those
in Berea were not content just to hear the word of truth they also searched
to find what the scripture said of Christ. When Paul said ‘with his stripes we are healed’ the Bereans searched for
those very words in scripture. The Bereans compared scripture to scripture
to see if the three points that Paul and Silas declared were so. They read scripture not only in the synagogue
but also in their homes. The Bereans
made it their common daily occurrence to read the scripture.
In our time, we have faithful messengers of
Christ sent to us by the same God, declaring the same gospel in the same manner
as Paul and Silas out of the same scripture.
Are we like the Thessalonicans or are we like the Bereans? Is Christ Jesus of no greater value to you
than to take the reading of his word as a light thing? By the power of God the Holy Scriptures …are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that
the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II
Tim. 3:15-17) Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
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