BEREAN NOBLE-MINDEDNESS

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica for they received the word with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Many of them, therefore, believed along with a number of the Greek women and men" (Acts 17:11,12). This must have been an encouraging and refreshing experience for Paul and his companions. Paul was now on his second preaching tour and thus far had met with some success even among the Jews, but nothing compared to these Bereans. In fact, they had just arrived from Thessalonica where they were expelled by a Jewish incited mob coming directly to Berea. They went at once into the synagogue of the Jews where they had this warm reception. Luke gives a description of their reception in these words: "They received the word with great eagerness, examining (searching) the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Not only is this attitude rare, it is highly commendable. No wonder Luke calls them noble. Those who follow this course will be richly rewarded.

Let us examine more closely these Bereans. First, they knew the value of truth and were diligent to find it. The world today would be free from false doctrine if this example were followed. Jesus said, "If any wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority" (John 7:17). One cannot know the will of God without a candid and unbiased examination of Scripture. The Bereans remind us of other Bible examples. The man of Psalms 1 delighted “in the law of

the Lord and on His law he meditated day and night." This resulted in a beautiful and productive life. Likewise, those on the day of Pentecost "gladly received the word and were baptized" (Acts 2:41). A classic example of the right attitude toward the Scriptures is found in Cornelius, the first Gentile convert (Acts 10). In response to the vision, he began immediate preparation to send for Peter. When Peter arrived he was greeted eagerly by Cornelius, his friends and kinsmen. With a receptive heart, akin to the Bereans, Cornelius said, "Now therefore, we are all present before God to hear all the things commanded you by God,” (Acts 10:33). Immediately following Peter's short sermon, Cornelius and his company were baptized. It must be emphasized that those who follow this example will always find what God wants them to do. Friend, the only thing you need is an honest heart and an open Bible. The word is the seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11). Like a seed of corn it must be placed in good soil before it will grow and bear fruit. No one expects a harvest unless the seed is first planted in the ground. Likewise those who refuse to let the word enter their hearts cannot expect to be blessed.

The word of God is powerful, when given the opportunity. Not only did the Bereans gladly receive the word, they were not satisfied with the word of man, not even the apostle Paul. They wanted to see it straight from the Scriptures. The soul is so precious and valuable it must not be left to the mind of man to determine the will of God. Only the Bible, the word of God, has the answer.

Let us close this article with some questions for the reader. Have you examined the Scriptures to find out if the things practiced by the Church where you worship are true? If not, you may be headed for serious consequences. Are you willing to risk the eternal destiny of your soul in the hands of a preacher, the deacon board, the elders, or even your creed? What we encourage you to do is to imitate the Bereans by searching the Scriptures for yourself to see if these things are so.