Open Heart + Clear Mind = Biblical Bereans
- Lisa Roberts
- Sep 2, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2024
Before we begin this grandest of adventures, I want to emphasise the critical importance of being Bereans. This means being diligently studious and ruthlessly discerning about the authors, teachers and preachers you may encounter in your own informational forays in your own Bible studies or at churches, conferences and small groups.
Over the many years of my own investigations and reading, the deception out there is not just rife, but ripe for plucking! Remember, because Eve could not recall exactly what God had said to them about about eating the forbidden fruit, Satan grabbed this gullible gap in Eve's shaky grasp og God's words and re--presented His truth in such an insiduously delicious way that Eve fell for his lie because it sort-of sounded like the truth and well, perhaps she hadn't really quite grasped exactly what God had said.
VISIT THE MOSAIC HERE
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica,in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures dailyto find out whether these things were so. | Acts 17:11
Commenting on the Bereans being fair-minded, Albert Barnes writes:
"This literal meaning of this word is 'more noble by birth; descended from more illustrious ancestors.' But here the word is used to denote a quality of mind and heart. They were more generous, liberal, and noble in their feelings; more disposed to inquire candidly into the truth of the doctrines advanced by Paul and Silas.
It is always proof of a noble, liberal, ingenuous disposition to be willing to examine into the truth of any doctrine presented."
David Guzik’s commentary on this verse about the Bereans:
"The Bereans heard the teaching of the most famous apostle and theologian of the early church, and the human author of at least 13 New Testament books. Yet, they searched the Scriptures when Paul taught, to see if his teaching was truly Biblical. They would not accept Paul’s teaching without checking for themselves, so they could know if these things were so.
When the Bereans heard Paul teach, their settled reaction wasn’t, “My, he’s a fine speaker.” It wasn’t, “I don’t like the way he talks.” It wasn’t, “What a funny preacher!” Instead, the Bereans wanted to know, “Are these things… so? Does this man teach the truth? We must search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so.” Their research was not casual; it had a certain character.
They searched the Scriptures. It was worth it to them to work hard at it, and investigate what the Word of God said, and how Paul’s teaching matched up with it. They also searched the Scriptures daily to find out. It wasn’t a one time, quick look. They made it a point of diligent, extended study. They also believed they could understand and find out truth from the Bible. For them, the Bible wasn't just a pretty book of poetry, or mystery, or nice spiritual inspiration for thoughts-for-the-day.
It was a book of truth, and that truth was there to be found out.
But with all their diligent searching and concern for the truth, the Bereans did not become skeptics.
They received the word with all readiness. When Paul preached, they had open hearts; but also clear heads. Many people have clear heads but closed hearts, and never receive the word with all readiness. It was both of these things together that made the Bereans more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica."
THE INCREDIBLE RESULT?
"Therefore many of them believed." | Acts 17:12
"Paul had nothing to fear by the diligent searching of the Scriptures by the Bereans. If they were really seeking God and His Word, they would find out that what Paul was preaching was true. This is exactly what happened among the Bereans, and therefore many of them believed." (David Guzik)
And finally, a challenge from Chuck Missler - who always puts a smile on my face when he says,
"Don't just take my word for it! Be a Berean."
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