From
Thessalonica, Paul and Silas were hastily sent away to Berea by Jason and the
brethren. This happened in the night. By foot the journey would have taken
about a three-day journey. On arrival at Berea, their first call was the
synagogue of the Jews.
In
Berea, the Jews were different. They were of a different breed and were
described as being more noble-minded than those who were at Thessalonica. It
simply meant that they were more open, tolerant and better bred. While accepting
the teachings of Paul, they would also eagerly examine whatever he had said to
see if they were in line with the Scriptures. Having investigated for themselves,
many of them believed in the message of Christ and His resurrection. Among
these Jewish believers were also prominent Greek women and men, the God-fearers
or proselytes who would be around the synagogue. They also came to faith in
Christ.
When
those antagonistic Jews from Thessalonica learnt that Paul was preaching and
ministering in Berea, they immediately went there and incited the crowds to
attack Paul. And since Silas and Timothy
were not their prime target, they remained there, while Paul left town and went
to Athens. Eventually Silas and Timothy also left to join Paul at his
instruction.
The
Bereans were wise people. Why? They valued truths and tested what they heard and
evaluated them against the standard of truth, the Old Testament. Once they have
ascertained the truths, they would accept and trust them as God’s instruction. Whereas
the Thessalonian Jews were more concerned with the number of Greeks accepting Judaism.
Like the Bereans we can be noble minded
too. We must make time and investigate the Word of God and practice them
regularly.
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