The Church that didn't need a Bible (063024)

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Neighborhood Bible Time, 2024

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Neighborhood Bible Time, 2025

June 22-27, 2025

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Scripture Reading: Acts 17:10-16.

Message: The Church That Didn’t Need a Bible

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

We are in Acts chapter 17.

In this chapter, we see Paul’s ministry in three different cities:

Thessalonica (vv 1-9)

Berea (vv 10-14)

Athens (vv 15-34)

Last week, we looked at Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and the foundation of his message and ministry.

This morning we come to Paul’s ministry in the city of Berea.

As I considered those in the town of Berea, I began to compare them with those in Thessalonica. There are/were two verses that stood out to me.

Acts 17:4 (KJV 1900)

And some of them believed…

Acts 17:12 (KJV 1900)

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

In the very next verse - verse 13 - we read that the unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up trouble for Paul and Silas so much so that they had to leave Berea!

As I thought on that, realizing that in both cities, Paul had left a group of believers that became local churches, it came to my mind that Paul took the time to write two letters to the church in Thessalonica but none to Berea.

At first, I thought of that as a little unfair. Why did the church in Thessalonica get 2 letters from Paul and the church in Berea didn’t receive any?!?! (At least we have no record of Paul sending one to Berea.) It seems that Berea was a “better” city than Thessalonica. In fact, Scripture records that those in Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica.

Then it hit me…the church in Berea didn’t need a letter from Paul! (That’s where I got the title for the message: The Church that Didn’t Need the Bible.)

If you think about the writings of Paul (which became the New Testament), you will realize that Paul wrote most of these letters to churches that - had problems - or that, at the very least, needed encouragement so they could avoid potential problems!

The church in Thessalonica had problems; they thought that the rapture had already happened!

The churches in Galatia had problems; they had begun following another gospel!

The church in Colosse had problems; they were giving ear to heresy about the diety of Christ!

The church in Philippi had problems; they had members who couldn’t get along with one another!

The church in Corinth had problems; do I need to say anything more!

So, why didn’t Paul need to spend time writing a letter to Berea? Were they a perfect church? No. Did they encounter problems? I’m sure they did. So what made those in Berea more noble than those in Thessalonica? Why was it, it seems, that they were able to over come the problems that others faced?

How can we avoid some of these same problems which plagued the churches of the first century? How can we avoid some of the difficulties that plague Christians in the 21st century?

I believe the answer is found in vs. 11:

Acts 17:11 KJV 1900

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

They received the Word of God.

Received:

To accept

To welcome

To accept as true

To take hold of

They received the Word of God with all readiness of mind.

Readiness of mind:

Promptitude - No hesitation

Willingness

Eagerness

Question: How do you view the Bible? Is it God’s Word? Is it without error?

It’s interesting, in this regards, what Paul would later write about the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV 1900)

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Do you and I have any hesitation, whatsoever, in accepting and receiving this Book - all of it; ever word of it - as the authoritative Word of God?!?!?

We must be thoroughly convinced and be settled upon this truth: This is God’s Word!

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

If we hesitate in the least bit to accept and receive this Book as the authoritative Word of God then we are going to open ourselves up to the temptation to accept and receive the words of men instead.

Notice what Paul would later write to the church in Colosse:

Colossians 2:4 KJV 1900

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

This is precisely what has happened to the United Methodist denomination; they have accepted their Book of Discipline as more authoritative than the Word of God.

In April, during their General Conference held here in Charlotte, they voted - overwhelmingly - to delete mandatory penalties for conducting same-sex marriages and to remove their denomination’s bans on considering LGBTQ candidates for ministry and on funding for gay-friendly ministries.

We must, without hesitation, receive God’s Word as just that - God’s Word!

I have a precious Book, It’s the Word of God, It’s the only Book that God has given. As I read God speaks to me, I see Christ and Calvary, The Wonderful Word of God.

For ever it will stand as the ages roll, It’s the Living and Eternal Word. It’s my Guiding Light each day, And without it I would stray, The Wonderful Word of God.

Those in Berea received God’s Word with all readiness of mind and then…

They searched the Word of God daily.

They didn’t simply read God’s Word daily; they searched God’s Word daily.

It’s one thing to read God’s Word. It’s something completely different to search God’s Word!

Oliver B. Greene wrote:

Reading my bring knowledge, but to know God’s will and way we must search!

Proverbs 2:3–6 KJV 1900

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

We must not only search God’s Word; we must dig deep!

Luke 6:47–48 (KJV 1900)

Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Are you a surface Bible student or are you a deep digger?

If you’re not getting to the “good stuff” of God’s Word it’s because you’re not digging deep enough!

John 5:39 KJV 1900

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Luke 24:27 KJV 1900

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

The truth is in there. All we must do is dig for it!

An individual who approaches the Bible with the right attitude and who is determined to dig and search - that individual will find the truth!

This morning, let’s determine to be a Berean believer!

Acts 17:11 KJV 1900

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.