Why “The Berean Way” ?
Paul and Silas came to Berea from Thessalonica which they had been forced by an uproar to leave, and preached in the synagogue to the Jews, many of whom believed after a candid examination of the apostolic message in the light of their Scriptures. A number of “Greek women of honorable estate and of men” also believed, but the advent of a body of hostile Jews from Thessalonica created a disturbance in consequence of which Paul had to leave the city, though Silas and Timothy stayed there for a few days longer.
The Berean Way
We have named this website The Berean Way because of the actions of the Believers in the community at Berea. Later, in our investigation, we will dig deeper into the reasons the Bereans were behaving this way.
There are only five verses, all located in the Book of Acts chapter 17, that deal with the Berean event. There is no letter/epistle written to the Church at Berea, maybe because they behaved like a congregation was supposed to behave and Paul saw no reason to correct them. Even so, this account provides, for us, an amazing learning opportunity.
There have been religious book stores named after Berea and many Christian churches as well, however, most do not understand what we can learn by examining the five verses penned by Luke the physician.
The Berean Way
Objective
The plain and simple goal for The Berean Way website is to encourage fellow Believers to read and study the Bible for themselves. There is no local or organizational church influencing or supporting us.
A multitude of our brothers and sisters in the Lord rely upon “You Tube” videos, well meaning teachers, not so well meaning teachers, and pastors as their primary source for learning and guidance.
Many people have attended church for decades yet never read for themselves all of their Bible. The Apostle Paul provided ample direction for how we are to understand Scripture in 2Timothy.
2Tjimothy 2
(15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Most of us would cherish being approved by God. One way to accomplish an ambition such as this is to study God’s Word. Approved by the Almighty, not being ashamed, and rightly dividing the Word of God are all goals we should strive to attain. I have determined that with help and guidance from the the Spirit of the Lord, I can do this. How about you?
Ephesians 4
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Testimony from Dr. Luke
Yes, the Book of Acts was written by an individual, a non-Judean(Jew), named Luke. Paul refers to Luke as “the beloved physician” in Colossians 4:4. In our quoted text below Luke describes the Bereans as “noble”, quite receptive to Paul’s message, and equally resolved to examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if “these things were so”.
Luke 9
(22) saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Luke 18
(31) Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.
(32) For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
(33) They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Acts 17
(10) Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
(11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
(12) Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
(13) But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
(14) Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
What a pleasant surprise this must have been for the Apostle Paul and company. In many communities on their journeys they faced such violent opposition to the Gospel message that they were forced to flee from the area. In Damascus the Jews plotted to kill Paul. The Hellenists attempted to kill him in Jerusalem. The Jews persecuted him in Pathos. He fled from Iconium to escape abuse and stoning. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra, stoned Paul, leaving him for dead. In Philippi he was beaten and imprisoned. These are some of the persecutions which Paul willingly endured.
The word “noble” used to describe how the Bereans treated Paul means that they were polite and civilized, unlike the manner in which many of Paul’s fellow Israelites dealt with him in other locations.
Studying God’s Word Witness
In the following section are listed testimonies from a cross section of Biblical writers. As you will read, they all agree on reading and studying the Word of the Almighty. From Moses to John the Revelator which equates from Genesis to Revelation reading and studying Scripture has always been and continues to be vitally important to Believers’ survival and well being.
Genesis reference from John
The Apostle John referenced Jesus/Yashua, the Living Word, to Genesis chapter 1, the first book of the Bible, in the first Gospel of John.
Genesis 1
(1) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
John 1
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Witness of Matthew 4:4 referring to Deuteronomy 8:3
Through Moses God lets His people know how important listening to His Word is. He compares His Word to living . . . to life itself.
Deuteronomy 8
(3) So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
The Witness of Joshua in Joshua 1:8
God’s Law both spoken are His Word. Through the successor of Moses, Joshua, He tells us how important it is to do all of His Words.
Joshua 1
(8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
The Witness of David in Psalms 119:105
King David, a man after God’s own Heart received light through following God’s Words, and we can receive light, too.
Psalms 119
(105) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
The Witness of David in Psalms 119:130
King David, a man after God’s own Heart received light through following God’s Words, and we can receive light, too.
Psalms 119
(130) The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
The Witness of Solomon in Proverbs 30:5-6
King Solomon, the son of King David, understood and instructed us as to the truth in God’s Words. We should heed them of course.
Proverbs 30
(5) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
(6) Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
The Witness of the Apostle John in John 1:14
The Apostle John understood that Jesus/Yashua was the walking, talking, breathing, & living Word of God.
John 1
(14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Witness of the Apostle John in John 8:31-32
Jesus/Yashua let us know that the key or recipe to become free is to abide or live in His Word.
John 8
(31) Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
(32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Matthew's Witness in Matthew 24:35
Jesus/Yashua emphasized the surety of His Words. He confirmed that His Words were stronger than our world.
Matthew 24
(35) Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Paul's Witness in Romans 15:4
The Apostle Paul assures us that the writings in what we call the Old Testament are not out of date. Those instructions still give us hope today.
Romans 15
(4) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Paul's Witness in Colossians 3:16
The Apostle Paul delivers to us in one verse encouragement on how to be in a thankful and worshipful attitude.
Colossians 3
(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Paul's Witness in 2Timothy 3:16
The Apostle Paul in 2Timothy the purpose that we can use His Word for in our ministries.
2Timothy 3
(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Unknown Witness in Hebrews 4:12
The Apostle Paul warns us of the power in the Word of God both to us personally and to our loved ones and acquaintances.
Hebrews 4
(12) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
John's Witness in Revelation 1:3
The Apostle John confirms to us how important it is to no only read God’s Word but to also do or act upon what Scripture tells us to do. This Blessing applies to the rest of the Scriptures as well.
Revelation 1
(3) Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Well, we have come to the end of our short study. There are only two types of people who will read an article such as this one . . . Believers and non-believers. Believers will most likely enjoy the validation of what they already are doing or plan on commencing soon. Non- believers are not really interested in Spiritual issues such as reading God’s Word and we should be surprised if they made it this far.
King Solomon, King David’s son and successor, wrote the passage below taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 12.
Ecclesiastes 12
(9) And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
(10) The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
(11) The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
(12) And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
(14) For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
Yes, in Ecclesiastes Solomon recounts in this passage some of the mental feats he participated in and then he explains what the bottom line is in verse 13. He says that one must “fear God, and keep His commandments.”
Now there is another Biblical figure who stated that our duty towards the Almighty was the same, but, the motivation was different. Jesus describes this dynamic in the Gospel of John chapter 14.
John 14
(15) “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
The difference between these two injunctions to obey God is quite obvious. Solomon states that fear is necessary to be obedient while Jesus emphasized that love for Himself would achieve virtuous conformity.
Final Statement
Let me repeat myself . . . the plain and simple goal for The Berean Way website remains to encourage fellow Believers to be all in . . . in reading and studying the Word of the Almighty Creator for themselves. I am still determined that with guidance and help from the the Spirit of the Lord, I can do this. How about you?
Acts 17
(11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.