Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: May 15, 2005
THE NOBLE BEREANS -- # 2
Ben Justice
[CONTINUATION OF LAST WEEK’S ARTICLE.]
THEIR REGULARITY
Luke adds that these Bereans searched the scriptures “daily.” I find this truly
amazing — especially in light of many today who go weeks and months without ever
studying the scriptures. We all need to set aside a time in our schedule where we
can engage in regular Bible study. Paul said, “Redeeming the time, because the days
are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”
(Eph. 5:16-17).
When the Bereans left the synagogue, they went home and continued to study their
Bible. Is this the way we are? Or, is the only spiritual nourishment we receive on
Sunday and Wednesday? Those who are grounded and settled in the gospel are
those who regularly engage in personal Bible study. Let’s all emulate these noble
Bereans!
THEIR RESPECT
Why did these Bereans search the scriptures on a daily basis? Luke states,
“whether those things were so.” This simply means that these noble Bereans
searched (examined) the scriptures to see whether or not what they were being
taught was in harmony with what the scriptures taught. This tells me that these
noble Bereans very much respected the word of God.
David, in Psalm 119, elevated the word of God above all else. It is truly a
masterpiece on what it means to respect God’s word. In fact, David stated
specifically that he respected the word of God. Notice:
V. 6 — “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”
David just didn't’t have respect unto some of God’s commandments — he had
respect unto ALL of God’s commandments.
V. 15 — “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.”
V. 117 — “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes
continually.”
When a person has respect for something, they have high regard for it. This should
be our attitude toward the scriptures. This was the Bereans’ attitude, and they
were continued noble by God for it.
So many today disdain the word of God — even those who claim to be members of
the Lord’s church. This is seen in the following ways:
1.) By the lives they live: When one looks at the life of a Christian, it should
reflect the teachings of the Bible, but sadly, many times, it does not. When
Christians are known for living worldly, there is no respect for what the scriptures
teach.
2.) By never studying the scriptures: How many are going from day to day, week to
week, and month to month, without ever engaging in the study of God’s word? If
the Bereans were counted noble by God for studying his word, then the antithesis
of that would be true as well. God does not count those noble who do not study
his word. This certainly shows a lack of respect and reverence for the scriptures.
3.) By forsaking the assemblies: Those who love God and respect his word will not
forsake the assemblies. Instead, they will make every effort to assemble with the
saints — one purpose of which is to study God’s word.
4.) By their reaction when the word of God exposes their error: So many today have
the attitude: “Don’t confuse me with facts; I don’t want to hear that; Leave me
alone; We can agree to disagree; It’s no big deal; I don’t care; So what, etc.” Sadly,
this is very much characteristic of many in the church today. However, when we
really respect the scriptures, we will not mind if someone shows us from the
scriptures that our lives are not in harmony with the scriptures. We need to have
the “poor in spirit” attitude when it comes to the word of God (Matt. 5:3). We must
be those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).
Are we a people who really respect the scriptures? Are we willing to be like the
noble Bereans who searched the scriptures to see whether or not those things are
so?
THEIR RESPONSE
In Acts 17:12, Luke recorded, “Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable
women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” The key word is the word
“therefore.” It functions as a conclusion word. In other words, because of their
reception, their readiness, their regularity, and their respect of the word of God,
“many of them believed.” The word “believed” is a comprehensive verb that sums
up the salvation process. Belief includes obedience (see Heb. 5:9).
I am convinced that when people today begin to have the attitude of the noble
Bereans, there will likewise be a positive response! We can’t teach others what we
don’t know.
QUOTE FROM DAVID LIPSCOMB
“When a church is not engaged in active conflict with error within itself, it is
floating down a broad stream to an open hell. Those who introduce error are
responsible when it presents itself a traitor to God, to Christ, who died to root out
error and establish truth — and who sent his servants into the world to prove all
things and hold fast that which is good — and are charged to contend earnestly for
the faith once delivered to the saints. Brethren complaining indiscriminately at all
when engaged in controversies, those who oppose as well as those who introduce
error, throw their influence for the error. It says, ‘let error be introduced without
opposition’ — error with quite[ness] is preferable to truth with controversy.”
— Gospel Advocate, Vol. XXVII, No. 45, Pg. 711, Nov. 11, 1885