"Being Bereans"

 

“Being Bereans”

 

The Berean Fellowship is a small denomination of churches located mostly in the northwestern U.S. A couple of churches I’ve been a part of over the years have had a Berean Sunday School class. The name comes from a city in Macedonia where Paul and Silas ministered effectively and likely planted a church in which the believers were described in this way: “…The people in Berea were…open minded…and…listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth.” (Acts 17:11, NLT, emphasis added). As a result many in the city trusted in Christ (Verse 12). However, a group opposed to the Christian message made trouble there and Paul moved on to Athens, leaving his companions in Berea. Nothing more is known of this once vibrant church so it may have fallen victim to false teaching after God’s servants’ departure.

This first century assembly gives us a pattern it’d be wise to follow today. (Note the highlighted statements from Acts 17:11.) Put another way, we must consider Paul’s question, “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3). Too often we let someone else answer this for us rather than exploring the Word for ourselves (guilty as charged). By so doing we may miss something God wants to use to speak into our lives.

A group of religious leaders came to Jesus with a trick question about divorce (Matthew 19:3). He turned it back on them when He pointedly asked, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” (Matthew 19:4, NLT). Had they seriously done so for themselves they could have avoided the error of following human teachings rather than God’s. The same might be said of people today who unknowingly listen to false teachers and are thus led away from God’s truth.

I don’t know who first said, “The Bible is the best commentary on itself.” (and neither does Google) but whoever it was was likely familiar with Peter’s admonition, “If anyone speaks, (he or she) should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” (1 Peter 4:11). As we practice being Bereans we grow in our faith, impact others and glorify God. May this be our desire each day as we walk with Him.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan