Thursday, February 14, 2008
Acts 17:10-11 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 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.
A BEREAN CHURCH
When you look around at different churches, you might find some very common names as well as some very interesting and unique names that these churches have decided to call themselves. Some churches have decided to call themselves "Berea."
The reason "Berea" can be such a good name is because of that which we hear about those from Berea in the Scriptures. It's not much. It's really not much more than that which we have in our reading for today. However, what we hear about those from Berea in our reading for today is very good. In fact, their example is a good model for every Christian congregation to follow.
And what is it about those from Berea that is so praiseworthy? It is the fact that they "received the word with all readiness," and that they also "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
Now, just like then, Christians and Christian congregations need to be eager to hear the Word and to search the Scriptures often to learn and remind themselves of the important truths of God's Word. The Scriptures are our true and reliable guide that God has given us to show us the difference between the things which are truly from Him as opposed to the things and that are not from Him.
Even if our particular congregations are not formally called "Berea," may God grant that our congregations, and we ourselves, be very Berean-like in our approach to the Scriptures. May we be eager to hear them, searching them often -- even daily -- to learn the good and saving truths of God's Word.
