I’m not a preacher, nor am I a Bible scholar. I’m a Bible ponder-er. I was taught as a baby Christian to never assume what someone says about the Bible is correct, but rather read it myself, study the Word and the commentaries and let the Holy Spirit reveal truth. He is faithful. I seldom argue scripture because those who are inclined to argue are usually unwilling to consider any other possible truth than what they’ve determined already. And in so doing they short change themselves and Satan keeps their eyes blinded to the truth. In Acts 17 the Apostle Paul had just left from ministering to a sect of Jews in Thessalonica where (vs. 4) some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. And not surprisingly there were some religious people upset who, rather than search the scriptures themselves for the truth, joined forces with lewd fellows vs. 5) and caused an uproar in the city. There is a great correlation there with the world today. There are churches today that rather than getting on fire and turning the world (vs. 6) upside down for Christ, would rather just take the word of the world that what they need is acceptance of everyone’s word as fact; and harmony among the people will result. When in actuality what happens is not harmony, but fear and cowardice to proclaim the truth.
After the uproar Paul left them to their unwillingness to hear the Word of God and moved on to Berea and the church of double checkers.
Acts 17:11 – 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.
They didn’t take Paul and Silas’ word or anyone else’s word; they too had been trained to research what thus saith the Lord. I cannot number the times when I have heard a preacher preach and hear inside my head “say whaaaatttt?” Is that the truth? And sure enough it was!
To know the truth in this world of lies you need to not only hear the Word of God, but read the Word of God let the Holy Spirit speak to you as to how to react. When Paul seen the upheaval in Thessalonica he knew it was time to move on. God’s usually not in the uproar. When people begin to argue and debate about what the Word of the Lord says in an uproarious way it is more about them than Him (God). But when a willing people hear the Word, know it as truth and react in a noble(decent and upright) way, people get saved!
(Vs. 12) Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Be forewarned that if you become a double checking, soul stirring, saint of God that turns the world upside down for Christ; people are going to be upset.
(Vs. 13) But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people
The religious people of Paul’s day were so upset about Christianity spreading that they left their own church to stir trouble in someone else’s. Hmmm….I’ve seen that a time or two as well!
It is my prayer that you and I both will be double checkin’ soul stirrin’ saints of God that turn our communities upside down! Go forth friend… Be noble, knowledgeable and noteworthy. Remember, God’s taking notes.
