Bible Talk
Why does Scripture refer to the Bereans of Paul’s day as “noble?” Pull up a chair and let’s have us a Bible chit-chat if you will.
Discussion
The Bereans were residents of the city of Berea in Macedonia. Their story is recorded in the Book of Acts during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 17:10-15). They were described as “more noble” because they eagerly received the teachings of Paul and Silas. Unlike the unbelieving Thessalonian Jews, the Bereans were open-hearted and willing to hear the Gospel. That’s only part of the story. The Bereans didn’t take what they heard “at face value,” they examined what they heard, by comparing it to the Old Testament. In that regard, they likely had access to both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Septuagint, but exactly which they used more frequently is hard to definitively determine (“Ancient Jewish Literature“). Their noble approach of examining Scripture likely involved both textual traditions, emphasizing their eagerness “to go the extra mile” to seek Truth (and by God’s grace, even reward, they found said Truth in His Word.) And again, the Bereans were described as more noble because they guarded Paul’s safety (very God’s servant and their beloved teacher as they came to appreciate him). When Paul’s enemies arrived from Thessalonica, they protected him by getting him out of the region at the risk of their own safety and follow-on persecution—that speaks volumes as to their commitment to the Gospel and to their teacher-brother Paul. Notwithstanding Paul’s departure, their faith continued to grow, turning to Silas and Timothy who remained in Berea to provide further instruction in the Christian faith. And not least we learn that a Berean named Sopater accompanied Paul during his ministry in Macedonia (Acts 20:4). Sopater’s commitment to assisting Paul demonstrates the lasting impact of the Bereans’ noble response to the Gospel: hearing, testing, accepting, defending, walking.
Okay, why all this critical thinking and testing vis-à-vis God’s Word? There are too many charlatans, wolves in sheep’s clothing, clever servants of Satan, that preach a false Gospel—what one hears must be tested, prayerfully, over against both the spirit and the letter of the Law, the Law of Jesus Christ. And so, it definitely matters which church we attend, and which preachers we listen to, today more than ever. ‘…You will “know” them by their fruits…’ for sure (Matthew 7:15-20). Please notice: Spirit-guided discernment is not hard. For example, how do they act when they are not behind the pulpit, does it jibe with what they preach? When confronted with Truth, convicted of their Sin, do they “lose it,” or repent? Where is the focus, is it on money? Is it on cliques? How much time is spent visiting the homeless, the widows, the orphans, the destitute, the sick, the ostracized…? How much effort goes into mission work? Is there a sort of brazen acceptance of dirty things and vulgarity? Is there a decided love of God and love of others over self? Is the Flock abused, lied to, promised stuff that puts words in God’s mouth, i.e., His Spirit will do thus and so if you do such and such? That sort of over the top charismatic stuff is an offense to God and is outright abuse of the Flock. Alright then, let us simply say again that Spirit-guided discernment is not hard—let us be like the noble Bereans in that regard Beloved: hearing, testing, accepting, defending, walking.
So, the Bereans exemplified discernment, eagerness, and faithfulness in their approach to Scripture, all alike unfolding from an upfront openness to God’s Word, a willingness to hear it. They accepted God’s Word as presented to them, but with critical thinking, they tested what they heard, over against the Old Testament, and clearly, they found what they heard, and saw demonstrated from Paul, to be consistent with God’s Truth as revealed up to that point in time (consistent with the Old Testament). And having done their due diligence they embraced the Gospel and tried to live it out as evidence of their belief. Thus did the noble Bereans to God’s glory. What they did as here outlined is a nobility metric, nay, a nobility badge, from God’s perspective.
Praised be your great Name Lord Jesus, even Word of Truth. Amen.