Read and Search

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. (Acts 17:10-11 KJV)

Can you imagine religious people having visiting evangelists into their church, then hear that their beliefs have been fulfilled? That’s the message Paul and Silas brought to Berea.

Would you ignore their message? The Bereans did not – they studied, searched the scriptures and:

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17:12-13 KJV)

Luke, wrote this, as he did his early missive to Theophilus in order that That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. (Luke 1:4 KJV

Whether Theophilus was an individual or was meant for all of us who love God is not important to me. What is important is God’s hand in our ability to read Luke’s perspective of Christ’s ministry, and that of the apostles carrying His message.

The scriptures the Bereans studied were the Jewish prophets – do not confuse them with the Holy Bible we use today. The Bereans did not have the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke nor John – though they had their witness; no Acts, no Romans – these were in the process of being written.

So the Bereans compared what they were hearing with what the prophets had written – and many believed. Some did not. Some do not today.

The Ethiopian had the prophets and was reading them before he met Philip (now that’s another great witnessing experience!) I do so love his response to Philip’s question:

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31 KJV)

Try what the Bereans and the Ethiopian did – come to know the scriptures. Attend services where they are taught. Read them accompanied with a prayer to God for understanding. Then ... receive the word with all readiness of mind, and search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.