Acts 17 - "Upon Further Examination ..."
In chapter 17, we see Paul and Barnabas making three stops in Macedonia, modern day Greece. First was in the city of Thessalonica. We learn more about the Thessalonians in Paul's letter to them which was written around 50-51 A.D., the earliest letter to a 1st century church. They were a good church.
Paul also stopped in Athens, where he preached in the Areogapus, where many philosophers gathered to discuss the latest views of the days. They also had mythical trials for the gods like "Ares". It was also called "Mars Hill". Mars Hills was a rocky area right next to the Acropolis.
The main thing was that Paul was meeting the people where they were at and preaching the gospel and teaching them who Jesus was. Some scoffed at him, some believed, and others invited him back to hear more. When we preach the gospel, the response is always mixed. but there is always a seed planted, which may come to fruition later. Oftentimes we will not see the fruits of our labors.
In Berea
10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
When Paul and Silas went to the synagogue in Berea, as they always did, we see something exceptional. It says the Bereans were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica. Why?
They not only listened to Paul preach, but they examed the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul was saying was true. In this case the "Scriptures", meant the Old Testament, because the New Testament was not written yet. David Guzik makes these observations about the Bereans,
The Bereans heard the teaching of the most famous apostle and theologian of the early church, and the human author of at least 13 New Testament books. Yet, they searched the Scriptures when Paul taught, to see if his teaching was truly Biblical. They would not accept Paul’s teaching without checking for themselves, so they could know if these things were so.
When the Bereans heard Paul teach, their settled reaction wasn’t “My, he’s a fine speaker.” It wasn’t “I don’t like the way he talks.” It wasn’t “What a funny preacher” Instead, the Bereans wanted to know, “Are these things… so? Does this man teach the truth? We must search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so.”
Many Christians do not receive the Word with eagerness or examine it daily. Many Christians do not examine what those who are teaching them teach. You should. Speaking for pastors, we are all human and we can make mistakes from time to time.
But if you read the Daily Bread, or use another method to study the bible daily, you are like the Bereans. This doesn't mean you are a superior Christian, or you should be prideful if you read the bible every day. But it does show you are serious about knowing what Jesus and his apostles taught us, and how the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus. We know the bible is inspired, infallible, and absolutlely true when it is interpeted correctly.
Jesus said to his disciples, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free!"John 8:32
When we examine the scriptures daily and importantly apply these truths to our daily lives lives, we can be sure we will lead a life worthy of our heavenly calling in Christ Jesus!
Jesus, you are the Word made flesh. Help us to abide in You and Your Word. We know if we do, we will bear much fruit, fruit that will last. Help us to communciate Your Word to others so they too may know the truth that will set them free. Amen. \
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