Day 260: Acts 17:10–14

They welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so (v. 11).

The Christians in Thessalonica got Paul out of jail and sent him to Berea. Only twenty miles from the sea, Berea had everything to offer: warm coastal breezes tempered by snowcapped mountains. What could be more inviting than a city set between the mountains and the ocean? Exceeding the noble sight, however, was the nobility of the people. The Bereans possessed characteristics that provide an excellent standard for believers today:

1. They were willing to receive. Acts 17:11 tells us the Bereans received the message. The Greek word for “receive” is dechomai, which means “to accept an offer deliberately and readily.” The Bereans accepted the offer to come and hear what Paul had to say.

Many churches work overtime to offer opportunities for Christian growth and encouragement: conferences, retreats, Bible studies, discipleship training, and other methods. Often a relative few attend. And sometimes the ones who don’t are the very ones who criticize the church for not doing enough. Many times we don’t lack opportunities; we lack willingness. The Bereans accepted the offer to hear Paul teach and preach, and the fruit was bountiful.

2. They were ready to receive. The Bereans not only accepted the offer to hear Paul; they were eager to receive what he said. The original word for “eagerness” is prothumia, which indicates a predisposition for learning (Strong’s). Our experiences in Bible study, worship services, and other discipleship opportunities are greatly enhanced when we approach each one with a predisposition for learning. We need to prepare ourselves with everything we can to have a receptive disposition before we arrive.

3. They cross-examined the message with the Scriptures. Paul was a very effective communicator, yet the Bereans did not take his word for everything. They measured the accuracy of his message against Scripture through their own personal examination of the Word. The original word for “examined” in Acts 17:11 is anakrino, which means “to ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search” (Strong’s).

We all need to learn to study the Scriptures for ourselves. All believers have the right to ask questions and examine the Scriptures to check the accuracy of the teaching they hear. Congregations can be easily misled if they do not feel or exercise the freedom to double-check teaching and preaching against the Word of God. A savvy communicator can use the Scriptures taken out of context to teach almost anything! Any portion of Scripture must be compared with Scripture as a whole.

Some years ago a national forest had to close off a portion of its park to tourists. A number of bears starved to death during the time the park was closed. They had grown so accustomed to being fed by the tourists, they had ceased feeding themselves. We can likewise grow so accustomed to being spoon-fed the Word of God that we forget how to examine the Scriptures for ourselves. We can cease checking the nutritional value of what we’re being taught!

But the Bereans not only performed the right practices, I believe they possessed the right heart. They didn’t examine the Scriptures to see if they could find error in how Paul had dotted an “i” or crossed a “t.” Their motive was not to argue. Some people double-check their pastors and teachers on every issue just to find an error so they can feel superior. The Bereans had no such motive. So a wonderful and sometimes rare combination occurred in Berea: the best kind of preacher met the best kind of audience. And a great awakening of faith resulted.

But soon the Jews in Thessalonica found out Paul was preaching in Berea and were vindictive enough to travel fifty miles to agitate and stir up the people! The original word for “stir up” has an interesting meaning. Saleuo means “to rock, topple, shake, stir up” (Strong’s). The enemy of our souls will use every means and every human agent he can to topple us. And if all we have going for us are the opinions of men through sermons or lessons, little will be left when life shakes us up. But when we’ve learned to examine the Scriptures for ourselves, we have a few things nailed down when life starts to rock.

As you continue to study the Word of God, one nailed-down, personally discovered truth will turn into many, and you will be better equipped to face anything that comes your way. Nothing will profit you more than learning to examine the Scriptures for yourself. Let every preacher and teacher be a catalyst to your own personal journey through the Word. Spend time exploring. Invest in an exhaustive Bible concordance, a good Bible dictionary, and a sound set of commentaries. Accept opportunities to get into in-depth Bible studies and really get to know the Word. Be ready and willing to receive from the many opportunities available, but with the ability to discern truth from error through deep personal examinations of the Scripture. Imitating the noble practices of the Bereans will be your safety as teachers come and go—and your sanity when life rocks and rolls.