THE BEREAN CHRISTIANS

MEMORY VERSE: 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

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 3:1- End

The author of the book of Acts, Luke, compared two Jewish Christians in Acts 17 vs 10-11: The Christians in Berea and the Christians in Thessalonica. The Christians in Berea were nobler than those in Thessalonica. They received the word of God when it was preached to them. They listened with rapt attention. The brethren in Thessalonica, on the other hand, didn’t receive the word of God. They challenged everything. “Sir, you need to be born again to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “What do you mean”, they’ll say, “how about those that died without hearing the gospel”. They literally challenged everything even when it was backed up with scriptures. Not only did the Berean brethren receive the Word, they did with it ALL readiness of mind. In other words, they received it with an open mind. They came to church with writing materials to took down notes. Whilst others were busy on Facebook during service, they listened and pondered on the Word. Many can’t receive the Word because although they are physically present in the church, their minds are far away. Some spend the whole service planning how to deal with their wives because of what happened on their way to church. You’ll be amazed to know that whilst the pastor is preaching on godly living and holiness, many are planning how to steal from the offering baskets in the same service.

Just as it was in the days of Luke, so it is today in our modern day churches. Many of us don’t receive the Word with readiness of mind because the brother teaching is an ordinary deacon. Ordinary deacon? Imagine calling the Lord’s anointed an ordinary deacon? Some only pay attention when the church pastor is preaching. Anyone doing that is proud. God can use anyone – big or small – to speak to you. “I gave my life to Christ before him so why should I listen to him”, some say. Brother, you are proud! The brethren in Berea went home after service and studied their notes. Also, they searched the scripture daily. There is a difference between reading and searching the scripture. You can read your bible anywhere even whilst standing in a crowd. You need to literally sit down to search the scriptures. You cannot search the scripture in two minutes. As you search the scriptures, you will begin to unearth nuggets that will transform your life and everything around you. The Berean brethren studied their bible daily whilst those at Thessalonica only read them on Sundays. The Berean brethren quote the bible whilst those at Thessalonica quote books and big men of God. We thank God for great men of God. We thank God for their lives. However, you still need to know the scripture for yourself. You need to know what the bible says on various issues. The bible is your standard for living not a ministry. Today, many are taking America to be “the” standard. Whatever we see them do there, we copy. That should not be so. If it is not scriptural please drop it.

NOTE: You need to search the scripture daily because: 1) it contains God’s standard; 2) It shows you how to get to heaven and; 3) you will be judged solely by the word of God.

twitter@BroOluwatoki

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.