How can a born-again Christian lead a fulfilled life, honouring God and producing fruit for eternity? kept Silas and Timothy a little longer in Berea to perform their ordained roles. He not only gives us the historical account of Esther, but he is able to give us a very intriguing character study of Ahasuerus, Vashti, Mordecai, Haman and Esther herself. Our prayer for the future is, that the Lord would help us all, both personally and collectively, to maintain the high biblical standard in all our communications and to intervene and rapidly correct in a helpful way when we witness such violations of scriptural principles. thebereancall.org | Acts 17:11 Our prayer for the future is, that the Lord would help us all, both personally and collectively, to maintain the high biblical standard in all our communications and to intervene and rapidly correct in a helpful way when we witness such violations of scriptural principles. They were meticulous about investigating any outside idea that was contrary to the teachings of the Tanach. If you want to study Scripture like the Bereans, remember the 3 E's: Eagerly, Examine, and Every day. Why am I here? Gullible is defined: "easily cheated or tricked; credulous". whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Lets consider some qualities that would make one NOBLE and ask ourselves if there are any Bereans today? None of it was contrary to the Old Testament.] How God must have rejoiced over this Bible-loving, Bible-honoring group! Result? The Bereans BELIEVED the truth. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. If youre unfamiliar with BSB, you might be wondering how it got its name. Required fields are marked *. Being Berean | Hebrew Word Study | Skip Moen The Gentiles had put Gods chosen people to shame. Where is "Berea" (Acts 17:10)? Are there any Bereans today that would have the energy to undertake this tedious endeavor? Our Vision The Berean Fellowship of Churches is poised in the early years of the 21st century to have a global impact on the advancement of the Gospel. They listened to the Apostle Paul and were commended for searching the Scriptures daily . NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Not Gullible. Brethren, theres no time in history that has seen a greater need for having the noble Berean attitude than in our day and time. The account of Paul and Silas in this location is recorded in Acts 17:10-15. Recognising these fundamental principles, Eckhard Bubenzer has written this book, which may be regarded as a handbook for all believers who desire to faithfully labour in service for Christ at home or abroad. Under the law, Gods promises were conditional. They searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.. Acts 17:11 NIV - Now the Berean Jews were of more noble - Bible Gateway Berea still exists as a small city of about 50,000 people, and is called Veroia today. There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord (1 Cor. You can receive More Minutes With the Bible every week in your email inbox. - What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? How we need to learn this lesson! The burnt offering was entirely for God. A lot can be changed in the building as long as the foundation is firm. BEREA AND BEREANS - Where Is Berea And Who Were The Bereans? Fourth, the Bereans continued to grow in their faith. The lazy, indolent type would have been weighed in the balances and found wanting when confronted with this rather tedious work. They received Pauls word, but they did not immediately believe it. The wise man wrote: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him." The Bible warns us that in addition to the doctrine of the Father ( John 7:16 ), there are doctrines of devils ( 1 Timothy 4:1) and commandments of men passed as doctrine ( Matthew 15:9 ). From the simple beginning of the small group in North Platte, God sparked a movement that, within a few years, grew from town to town across Nebraska and into the surrounding states. After Pauls departure, Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. But, beloved, we cannot safely follow the teachings of any man. They received the Word with all readiness of mind., 2. The Bereans LOOKED daily. Who am I? In the last section, the reader of these lines is encouraged to humble themselves before the Lord, if they know themselves to be guilty of this in their own lives as well, and to discuss it with others in their local assemblies. Available in our shop. This group of people lived in the Greek city of Berea, and Paul and Silas preached to them during Pauls second missionary journey. What does God desire of priests? Though the word "fundamental" has since lost favor in our culture, to those founding families it had a wonderfully simple depth of meaning: it was based on the "fundamentals" of the Christian faith. They listened closely and then researched the message on their own before coming to a conclusion about who they believed Jesus Christ to be. The leader and completer of faith has shown us through His example what it practically means to live in dependence on God on a daily basis. Did they? The story is told of a man who purchased a mirror at a garage sale. have taken two days on foot. The Book of Religions John Hayward The Bereans are a sect of Protestant dissenters from the church of Scotland, who take their title from, and profess to follow the example of, the ancient Bereans, in building their system of faith and practice upon the Scriptures alone, without regard to any human authority whatever. Untiringly he searches on until he is sure he has the Truth of God. The word of man was tested by the Word of God. They listened to him; they gave him an interested hearing, but did not immediately agree with him. This book has been translated from the German and contains additional material. The Scriptures give us very concrete principles of communication, some of which are explained in this booklet. Can I know Him and experience His power in my life? Sermon on the Authority of the Bible | Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written! Could they not have given Paul a hearing? Then the teaching about the sin offering brings before us the need for confession and restoration of fellowship with God after sin has come in. The burnt offering was entirely for God. Consider the outstanding qualities that they evidenced by their actions and then ask yourself if there are any Bereans today. Lastly, as they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so, we make note of their attitude of EARNEST attention. They also give some practical help as to how we should function as priests. - What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? These scriptures were written on material that constituted considerable effort in searching. The Bereans were residents of the city of Berea in Macedonia. How far is Berea from "the sea" (Acts 17:14)? July 4 . After they "searched the Scriptures daily to find out If you start with a converted Paul, you will end with the Paul of the Church. The same reception area. We learn in the book of Esther of the final effort recorded in the Old Testament of the complete eradication of the Jews. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." First and foremost, the Bereans were more noble because of their willing reception of the Word of God. Some mocked, others got angry even to the point of assault. Softcover, 64 pages, now available in our shop! So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. and But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (Rom 10:17; John 20:31). The two buildings might look similar. 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. He puts aside the less important things. (BSB) is Global Universitys adult continuing education program. By Bobby K. Thompson From Expository Files 13.7; July 2006. The last study looks at the peace offering, showing Gods desire to have fellowship with us in contemplating His Son. Undeterred, they searched daily! So the real question is about the integrity of the foundation. Paul and Silas preached to them during Pauls second missionary journey. Authenticity It reads, The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the . If they listened to Pauls strange words with open eyes and open mouths, they at least listened with open minds too. Berean Literal Bible Now these, who were more noble than those in Thessalonica, received the word with all readiness, on every day examining the Scriptures, whether these things were so. The Berean School of the Bible (BSB) is Global Universitys adult continuing education program. [Note: At this point in the article, many years later, Pastor Stam added these hand-written words in the margin: Now all that Paul preached was not to be found in the Old Testament, for Paul had received a further revelation from the Lord. When Paul decides to return for additional ministry in Macedonia despite the tremendous persecution he had recently faced, one of the men who chose to accompany him was from Berea: There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. The Bereans were diligent in studying the Word of God. Secondly, the grain or meal offering speaks of Christs perfect life on earthin which He always did what was pleasing to the Father so that His life ascended as a sweet aroma to God. But we ask, Where are the noble Bereans today? It may be the case that folks are still studying the Scriptures, but they may be studying them with a preconceived idea of seeing what they want the Scriptures to say, rather than what the Scriptures are actually saying. ship (see below). Although they didnt know Christ yet, the Bereans had already established the discipline of studying the Scriptures daily. Who Were the Bereans? We believe this truth is just as relevant today as our Fellowship continues to take the gospel message around the globe. The fifth chapter considers the practical realisation of this fellowship. (II Peter 3:3-7). Bereans. Yet, they did this daily! And through his Spirit, Jesus promises to be with us until he comes again. In Acts 17:11 KJV, we read Luke's account of the noble Berean Jews who were more noble than those Jews in Thessalonica, because they willingly received God's word with all readiness of mind, motivating them to search the Scriptures daily to see if the teaching they were receiving was true. In a day when the Scriptures are so conveniently available on our phones, in apps, and when we have concordances and other types of helps to locate various passages. To this end, the BFC is pursuing strategic church planting opportunities in the United States and internationally. Be Like the Bereans: 3 Ways to Avoid False Doctrine read and study the Bible for themselves. What helps and tools are available to us to live in dependence on Godand how can we best use them? There are deeper questions, too.