The beloved physician Luke shared how Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke himself went to “Thessalonica” and shared the gospel with the Jews located there. After some of them believed, other non-believing Jewish people rose up against them, and “the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews”, and in chapter seventeen and verse eleven of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Jews in Berea, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind,” Luke began with the words, “these were more noble” which means “the people in Berea were much more stately and high minded” “than those in Thessalonica” or “than the people who were in the city of Thessalonica whose name means victory of falsity and was a famous and populous city, situated on the Thermaic Gulf, the capital of the second division of Macedonia and the residence of a Roman governor and quaestor”, “in that they received the word” which means “because, since and on account that the people in Berea accepted, embraced and learned the speech, mandate, decree and utterance of salvation from God” “with all readiness” or “with zeal, spirit, eagerness and inclination” “of mind” which means “pertaining to their thinking and perception of ideas”. Luke shared how the Jewish people in the city of Berea were different than those in Thessalonica because they embraced the teaching of the “gospel” with receptive thinking.
The verse continues, “... and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Luke added the words, “and searched the scriptures daily” or “and looked thru, examined and investigated the Holy Scriptures or Holy Writ”, “whether those things” which means “if and in case the teachings of Paul and Silas” “were so” or “were true and to be adhered”. Luke shared how the “Berean Jews” examined and investigated the “Holy Scriptures” to discover if what “Paul and Silas” were teaching was true.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn one of the greatest principles for studying the Bible. Rather than simply accepting everything someone teaches, we should examine the “scriptures” to discover whether they are speaking the truth. This was the practice of the “Berean Jews”. First, they had an “open mind” to receive the word of God, but they also had an “open Bible” to be certain what they were being told was so. God loves for us to investigate the “scriptures”, search for His plan of salvation for mankind, and carefully examine all that is being told to us concerning Him, His Son Jesus and His ways. Everyone is invited to read, investigate and carefully examine the Bible, and when an “open mind” and an “open Bible” are employed, a person will not discover themselves without a choice as to whether God's “salvation through His Son Jesus” is true.
Next time Luke shares how, “many of them believed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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