“As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. ”
Acts 17:10-12

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MARCH 13, 2025

Intellectual honesty requires that we investigate someone else’s claims of truth for accuracy. There is no source beyond the Bible for verifying spiritual truth. Fact finding is never a threat to the gospel. In His incarnation, Jesus joined history, and the account we have of Him is based upon recorded historical events that are disputed by no credible scholar of antiquity.

The Bereans responded to Paul’s teaching in their synagogue with careful examination of the Scriptures for confirmation. What a contrast to the violent reaction in response to Paul’s words in Thessalonica!

How was it that the Berean Jews were so willing to examine the teachings of Paul? Luke describes the congregation of the synagogue at Berea as being of more noble character than the Thessalonians, because they received the message readily and poured over the Scriptures daily for confirmation of Paul’s contention that Jesus was the Messiah.

Several factors might have influenced the Berean’s attitude. Their openness to receive instruction by Paul from the word of God regarding the Messiah indicates a humility, a spirit willing to consider new revelation from Scripture. They were not just passive recipients of this dramatic pronouncement. They investigated Paul’s claims carefully with open eyes and open Bibles. The Holy Spirit was at work revealing the truth of the gospel to them.

As a result, many believed, both Jews and Greeks. This was all the work of God! It was God who fostered a receptive atmosphere within the synagogue of Berea. It was the Holy Spirit who gave knowledge and depth of insight as they referenced the Scriptures examining the claim that Jesus was the Messiah.

The same is true today: Salvation is the work of God. We have the privilege and responsibility to communicate the gospel, but belief in Jesus as Savior comes from God alone.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • Who within your sphere of contacts might receive the gospel with great eagerness like the Bereans, if you told them your story?
  • Are you examining the Scriptures every day?
  • How does the fact that God alone is responsible for salvation allow us to receive a wide variety of responses to our story?

 

Church Reading Plan: Exodus 24; John 3