Paul's sermon put to test

         

In an argument between Dr. Pentecost and an atheist, the latter declared that he did not believe the Bible because he did not know the author. “Do you know the author of the Multiplication Table,” asked Dr. Pentecost? “No,” replied the atheist. “Then, I suppose, being a scientific man and a conscientious skeptic you never use the Multiplication Table.” “Oh yes, that proves itself to be true by its works” said the Atheist. “Then,” said Dr. Pentecost, “may we not know also that the Bible is a work of absolute authority, because its works in its own sphere, proving itself to be true?”

In Acts 17 Paul and Silas were on the second missionary journey. In Thessalonica they were accused of “defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil... As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea “ (Acts 17:7-10). This was Paul's second nocturnal escape in Acts, the first being in Acts 9:25. Timothy apparently remained behind at Thessalonica.

“On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men” (Acts 17:7-12).

Berea was a smaller town about 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica.  When Paul and Silas arrived there they did the same thing they had done in the other towns. True to their pattern, the missionaries headed for the synagogue. These men saw a fantastic ministry every time they turned around. Put them anywhere and they will uncover a ministry. Nothing ever hassles them; they are living with an unbreakable spirit.

They only have one purpose in life. Paul states it in Philippian 3:13-14 “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. In other words Paul is saying, “yesterday is already past, I can’t do anything about it, so I’m forgetting that. Today is the first day of the rest of my life; I am going to live it to the fullest. I am pressing toward the things which are ahead and I am going to keep on pressing on.”

Life had not been easy and Paul did not expect the future to be any different. He wrote “since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart... for God who said ‘let light shine out of darkness made his light to shine in our hearts...we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... 

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day; For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor.4).

The people of Berea were more noble than those of Thessalonica. Two things earned this compliment for the Bereans: first, they received the word with all readiness. Second, they searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether the thing Paul taught aligned with the Scriptures. It appears like the people in Thessalonica were more emotional and impulsive towards the gospel. The Bereans examined everything Paul was saying in light of the Old Testament Scriptures. 

The people who had come to Berea were famous already. The news was that they were turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Paul was thoroughly trained by Gamaliel, a highly respected doctor of the Jewish law (Acts 22:3). This background gave Paul a deep mastery of the Scriptures. Yet, the Bereans searched the Scriptures when Paul taught; they investigated what the Scriptures said and how Paul's teaching matched up with it. They had open hearts; but also clear heads.

They did not make a onetime quick look; they made a careful research, seeking an unbiased investigation to arrive at the truth.  They would not accept any new teaching, no matter the source, without carefully checking it out with Scripture. They were cautious and careful about what they believed and they used only the Scriptures as their final authority. The Bereans did not get into the Word just once a week, but every day! They not only read the Bible devotionally but they did this daily.

Paul had no reason to fear the Berean’s accuracy test. He knew what he was talking about was true and accurate.  If they were really seeking God, they would find out that what he was preaching was true. This is exactly what happened; As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Proverbs 1:5 says “a wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Proverbs 9:9 says “give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Paul wrote to the Galatians “even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! … Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ”.

The Bereans' example teaches the importance of testing teachings against Scripture to ensure they align with God's truth. The Bible is our only guide, as Christians, to tell us what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong, what is of God and of Satan. Every doctrine must be measured against God’s word. Unless a Christian makes the Bible his only authority for faith and living, he will be misled and manipulated. He can follow a blind guide and end up in the pit (matt.15:14).

Years later Paul wrote to Timothy” study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth(2 Tim.2:15,KJV)” Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (NASB 1995) . Paul tells Timothy to be diligent in his study and not to have casual interest.

God’s servants are called to make every effort in studying Scripture, ensuring they understand and apply it correctly. We make every effort to present ourselves before God as workmen with nothing to hide or be ashamed of, when he inspects the job; workmen who do not get shame or bring shame to the master. Our ultimate goal is to be approved by God and that requires faithful adherence to His word.

Handling God's word accurately means we can stand unashamed before God and others, confident in our understanding and teaching.  We need to teach the whole counsel of God, avoiding distortions. Remember, too, that as long as we are in this life, we shall never understand the Bible perfectly.  There is always room for improvement and refinement in one's understanding and proclaiming of the Word of God.  

Paul wrote this about his disciples; “my goal is that they may … have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge...so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments… See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Col.2:2-8).

John warned “dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God... They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:1-5). We see such people today in our midst and they have followers.

Right after sharing the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:4–15), where different types of soil represent different ways people receive the word of God, Jesus says “ Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them”(Luke 8:18). Hearing God's word is not just about having physical ears; it is about having an open, honest, and teachable heart. Passive or distracted listening leads to spiritual loss.

Those who genuinely listen, retain, and put the truth into practice receive deeper understanding and spiritual growth. Those who ignore or neglect the message eventually lose even the small amount of insight or faith they thought they possessed. Those who diligently study the scripture to find ways to justify their traditions or evil ways will not find acceptance into God’s presence.

Jesus said “the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:35-40).

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We …have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…

You have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father… Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil and you want to carry out your father’s desires... Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (John 8:32-47).

“when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible”(Acts 17:13-15).