Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: May 8, 2005
THE NOBLE BEREANS -- # 1
Ben Justice
While on his second missionary campaign, the apostle Paul came to the city of
Thessalonica. In this city, he “reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and
alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:2-
3). Paul proved that this Jesus he preached “is Christ” (Acts 17:3). Some believed
(obeyed) (Acts 17:4) and some did not believe (Acts 17:5). Verse 5 identifies those who
did not believe as “Jews.” As the case was in almost every city that Paul visited, the
Jews made trouble for him. Thessalonica was no exception. These Jews in
Thessalonica “assaulted the house of Jason,” and even “drew Jason and certain brethren
unto the rulers of the city, saying, These (Paul and Silas) that have turned the world upside
down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the
decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:5-7). Because of
the trouble these Jews caused, the brethren of Thessalonica “immediately sent away
Paul and Silas by night unto Berea” (Acts 17:10). When Paul and Silas arrived in Berea,
they found something characteristic of them that was not present in Thessalonica.
Verse 11 says, “These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word will all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether
those things were so.” There are so many great and rich truths contained in this
passage. It is our aim to look at these.
These Bereans were counted “noble.” This word comes from a term that can refer to
“noble birth, race or character” (R.C.H. Lenski, Acts, Pg. 700). Here, it obviously
refers to “character.” Barnes said, “here the word is used to denote a quality of mind
and heart” (Albert Barnes, Barnes’ Notes — Acts, Pg. 254). Jackson said that it
refers to “one who had high intellectual and ethical traits. It suggests one who is
open to evidence” (Wayne Jackson, Commentary on Acts, Pg. 216). One
translation says, “noble minded.” Luke tells us why they were more noble than those
in Thessalonica. There are several important things of which to take note.
THEIR RECEPTION
Luke tells us that “they received the word of God.” W.E. Vine says the word “received”
means, “to receive by deliberate and ready reception of what is offered” (W.E. Vine,
Expository Dictionary of NT Words, Pg. 511). Let’s notice other instances in the
NT where this word (or phrase) is found.
Concerning the Samaritans in Acts 8, it says they “received the word of God” (v. 14).
How did the Samaritans receive the word of God? The answer is found in v. 12 — “But
when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Their belief and baptism is
summarized as having “received the word of God.” In other words, they obeyed the
word of God.
Acts 11:1 says concerning the Gentiles that they “received the word of God.” Again,
what did they do? Acts 10:44-48 contains the answer. They “believed” and were
“baptized” (v. 44, 47-48). Yet, Luke summarizes the process as having “received the
word of God.”
James 1:21 says, “. . . receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save
your souls.” When James said to “receive” the word, he meant obey and be doers of
the word. In the very next verse, he said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves” (v. 23, 25). James said that when we receive (obey or
do) the word, it is “able to save your souls.”
Acts 17:10 tells us that when Paul and Silas arrived in Berea, they “went into the
synagogue of the Jews.” If a city had a synagogue, this was the first place Paul went
to preach the gospel (cf. Acts 17:1-2). Paul preached in Berea, and yet, these Bereans
were more noble than those in Thessalonica. Why? They had “received the word”
Paul preached. What did they do? They obeyed the word of God.
Concerning the Corinthians, Paul wrote in I Cor. 15:1 that they had “received” the
gospel. How did they receive the gospel? Acts 18:8 tell us, “. . . and many of the
Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
No matter how good and moral a person may be, they are not considered noble by God
until they have obeyed God’s word!
THEIR READINESS
Not only did these Bereans receive the word of God, but Luke adds, “with all
readiness of mind.”
The phrase “readiness of mind” is from one Greek word. It is from prothumia, which is
a compound term — from pro, meaning “forward,” and thumos, meaning, “mind” (W.E.
Vine, Ibid., Pg. 508). Therefore, it means, “bring the mind forward.” Jackson wrote,
“stretching forth the mind, i.e., anxious to learn” (Ibid., Pg. 216). This word
(prothumia) is found four additional times in the NT (all in 2 Corinthians) and is
translated differently every time. Notice:
2 Cor. 8:11 — “readiness”
2 Cor. 8:12 — “willing mind”
2 Cor. 8:19 — “ready mind”
2 Cor. 9:2 — “forwardness of your mind.”
These Bereans had the kind of attitude and disposition toward the word of God that
all Christians should and ought to have. There was a real eagerness in their
reception of the word of God. So many today can’t be counted as noble because of
their disdain for the word of God. But, we must always remain anxious to learn — no
matter how old we are in the faith. We must be willing to “bring the mind forward”
when it comes to God’s word. Whenever we come together collectively (as a
congregation), or whether we are engaged in personal study, let us all have that
readiness of mind in wanting to learn the word of God.
THEIR RESEARCH
Luke says that these Bereans “searched the scriptures.” The word “searched” means,
“examine or investigate.” The ASV says, “examining the scriptures.” Thayer says, “to
investigate, examine, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question” (J.H. Thayer, The New
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon, # 350, Pg. 39). A.T. Robertson said, “to sift up
and down, make careful and exact research as in legal processes” (A.T. Robertson,
Word Pictures in the New Testament — Acts, Pg. 274-275). Lenski said that this
word “is often used in a forensic (legal proceedings, BJ) sense, especially with regard
to the preliminary questioning and examination of a prisoner by the judge” (R.C.H.
Lenski, Ibid., Pg. 700).
These Bereans were engaged in careful and critical study of the scriptures. What a
most noble attitude that all of us should exhibit in our lives! This is real Bible
study. It is not just picking up the Bible and reading the Bible through in a year
(although there is nothing wrong with this). There is a difference in just reading the
Bible and deep Bible study. The Bereans set forth a noble example in seriously
investigating the scriptures. But sadly, too many rely upon what the preacher says, or
what some book says. The Lord’s church used to be known for having those who knew
their Bible — for giving book, chapter, and verse for what they believed and practiced.
Many today in the church can’t even give God’s plan of salvation or the five authorized
acts of worship as set forth in the scriptures. Many believe that the Lord’s church
(the church of Christ) is just one church among many others and not the real
exclusive one body of saved people. It is high time that members of the church get
back to a serious and thorough analysis of the word of God! The Bereans were
counted noble by God for doing just that. [MORE NEXT WEEK]