Bereans Needed

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

After Paul visited two cities in northern Greece on his second missionary journey, he wrote about them in the most complimentary way. One was Thessalonica. He wasn’t in that city very long before the Gospel took root and, literally, turned it upside down. So many Thessalonicans renounced idolatry, the idol makers nearly went out of business. That’s because when they heard God’s Word, they “accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God” [1 Thessalonians 1:7]. What a compliment! 

The other city was Berea, just over forty miles to the southwest. Paul went so far to say they were more “noble-minded” than the Thessalonicans because they were not only eager to hear the Word of God, but also they tested (searched and examined) it with the Old Testament, before they received it as God’s Word. That careful examination of the Scriptures helped them to “hold fast that which is good” [1 Thessalonians 5.21].

Would you agree with me that today’s church, in general, lacks that kind of discernment? Some Christ followers are so shallow in their understanding of Scripture that they are duped by every novel teacher or “prophet” to come along. As Paul told the Ephesian Christ followers, they are "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine" Ephesians 4:14]. 

What we need are new Bereans, new Julianites, new Chicagans, new Chattanoogans, new New Yorkers (you name the city), who will study the Scripture daily, develop sound doctrine, and never deviate from it — not in the least!

When you study like that, you’ll find the real character of the Bible: it’s inspired, it’s authoritative, it’s true, it’s sufficient, and so much more!

How about it Christ follower, let’s become modern-day, noble-minded Bereans!

[The Bereans] 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