The Apostle Paul commended the Bereans for doing 2 very important things. One of these things is often discussed but the other is largely ignored. In order for you to be a “Noble Berean” you have to do both…
- They received the word with all readiness of mind.
- They searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. (Acts 17:10-12)
17:10-15 The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the facts related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, and likely to be more and more so, who make the Scriptures their rule, and consult them accordingly. May all the hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind, and searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them are so. –Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Are you a “Noble Berean” or the opposite, an “Ignoble Thessalonian”?
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would only listen to preachers that they already agreed with
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would already have their mind made up on all Bible doctrines and ignore everything else
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would “surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3)
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would pay more attention to man-made rules and regulations than the word of God
Useless Rules and Regulations, or… These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would have an “itching ear” (2 Timothy 4:3) and not receive the word with all readiness of mind
- The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would use “the leaven of
malice and evil” instead of “the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:8) - The opposite of a “Noble Berean” would be a close-minded Thessalonian
Which are you? Do you eat the meat and spit out the bones? This is how you exercise your conscience to discern between right and wrong. Are you so afraid of the bones that you miss the meat? This is how you let your conscience wither and die.
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:11-14)
It just occurred to me how unready I have been to receive the word with all readiness … from people, churches, and doctrines … that I did not agree with. I am ashamed to add “recovering close-minded Thessalonian” to my list of addictions.