Searched

We are currently following Paul’s second missionary journey. There is a link in the “sites” section that will allow you to interactively track his journey.


Acts 17
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. 14 The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.


Searched. I love the fact that the people of Berea searched the Scriptures. They didn’t lazily accept everything Paul taught. They didn’t ignorantly reject everything Paul taught. They searched and decided for themselves. One of my biggest frustrations with fellow Jesus followers is their willingness to blindly accept what someone else says (even and especially me). We each have a responsibility to search and to test and to discern. Shortly after this incident, Paul wrote a letter back to the people in Thessalonica. In that letter, he used this example of the Bereans to encourage the Thessalonians to search and test and discern. Or did he? Don’t take my word for it. Use the Bible Gateway link in the “sites” section and search 1 Thessalonians. Use the Study Notes link in the “sites” section and search 1 Thessalonians. Search. Test. Discern.