Jump Start # 667

Acts 17:11 “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

Our passage makes a comparison between two places, Berea and Thessalonica. The comparison was a spiritual one based upon the reception of the word of God. The spirit of the Bereans is commended here. They were more noble-minded. It’s easy to thump on the Thessalonians, but they were an impressive group.

• 1 Thes 2:13 “when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but what it really is, the word of God
• 1 Thes 1:6 “You became imitators of us and the Lord…”
• 1 Thes 2:14 “For you brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea”
• 1 Thes 1:8 “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you”

There are two wonderful characteristics of the Bereans.

First, they eagerly received the word of God. They were excited to have the gospel preached to them. This wasn’t a group that asked, “Do we have to go…” This wasn’t a group that was bored nor had to fight staying awake. The Bereans put some of us to shame. They would love to have what we have spiritually. The word of God was welcomed.

Secondly, they examined the Scriptures to see whether the things were true. They knew that the word of God was the final answer. If it’s true to the book, then it’s true. That was their spirit. They didn’t say, “well, that’s just the Bible, he’s what I think…” They did not accept what they heard because a speaker impressed them. I’m amazed how thorough these folks were. They checked things out. They were careful. It seems today that if someone “rediscovers” something, writes a book, folks will flock to the new idea without any thought to what the Bible says.

The Bereans understood that right and wrong was based upon the Bible. Saying something without Biblical proof wasn’t going to fly with these people. These Bereans were careful. They looked. They searched. They didn’t let someone do all their thinking for them.

Those are good thoughts for us to remember. When we are reading something, including one of these Jump Starts, or a book or a blog or a website, read it with careful eyes. Read it with an open Bible. Read it with the understanding that it is only right if it is Biblically right.

This spirit will make us dig in our Bibles. It will make us ask questions, do our homework and learn. We may find, like the Bereans did, that what we heard or read is true with God. That truth can lead us to a better understanding, a better relationship with the Lord and a better hope in our hearts. Learning is fun and a great adventure for all of us. Learning isn’t limited to those in school, but to all of us. Don’t fall into the habit of being spoon fed by the preacher. He doesn’t the homework, he does the thinking, and we just listen and accept. The Bereans were cut from a different cloth than that. They would have none of that. They heard and then they went to the book.

National averages about adults reading books are shocking. More than 50% of adults do not read books, any books. The number of people that have told me directly, “I do not like to read,” is unbelievable. I’ve even had a preacher or two admit that. They are in the wrong business. It’s like a painter saying that he doesn’t like paint. Then, what are we reading? Hollywood magazines about who kissed who this week? Sports magazines? Novels? Some of those have a place, but what about Biblical books? What about the Bible itself?

Reading, thinking, challenging yourself, finding answers, chasing ideas, learning  – is such a wonderful task. It’s a lifelong journey and a wonderful adventure. Biblical knowledge gives a person so much hope and confidence. Knowing is the answer. The Bereans had that spirit.

How about you? Do you?

Roger