The Mark of Nobility

It sounds almost like a international spy novel

Things had gone sideways after a few weeks in Thessalonica

Once again, the missionaries had been run out of town, at least that time not after being imprisoned

The “friendlies” had slipped them out by night

They move on to Berea, about 45 miles from Thessalonica (Currently, Veria, Greece)

Berea had some interesting history: Cicero had used it as a safe retreat when threatened in the surrounding countryside...

Some scholars think it may have been Paul’s intent to hide out there for a time, let things settle in Thessalonica, then return--yeah...like that happened?!?!?!

Upon arrival in Berea, once again, they went to the synagogue and began their work, as they had done before

The text doesn’t need to explain...Paul would again “reason with them from the Scriptures...”

They found here a more noble group of people

The concept of nobility was not a matter of class, in the sense of socio-economic class, but a matter of having class--these folks had class

The underlying word originally meant high-born...but its usage had changed, a couple translations use “more noble character”

Other translations use more“fair-minded,” or “open minded” which seem to express their thought process--they were willing to have their preconceived notions tested

We look at the reception by the Bereans, their examination of the Scriptures, the agitation from the Thessalonians and the protection by the brothers

Like last week, we may take apart a few of the words use, to get a better handle on how we should respond

Reception

...by the Bereans, of the Word with all eagerness

Faithful Jews were looking forward to Messiah...the anointed one...the Christ; they received the message of the Gospel...the good news of His coming

KJV translates this as “readiness of mind” which I think is even more descriptive...

Examination

...of the Scripture, DAILY, to see if “these things were so”

The underlying word, ἀνακρίνω, would include things like investigate or make a judgment

This is where they showed their classiness; rather than reacting to what was contrary to tradition, the examined the very Scriptures from which their traditions had sprung

We find a similar result to what happened in Thessalonica...Jewish members of the synagogue believed, “not a few” which I would take to be a sizeable number of the leading women of the Greek community and many of the Greek men

NASB might say it best, “prominent women and men

Once again, Paul has reached the Gentiles by way of the Jewish community

Agitation

...from the Thessalonians...and inciting the rabble again

Apparently not content to have run them out of Thessalonica, they descended on Berea as well

They were virulent in their harassment of the those who dared to spread the Gospel

Protection

...of Paul, by these new believers

That intrigue part...sneaking him out of town and out to sea...headed for Athens--putting plenty of distance between Paul and the trouble-makers

The word “immediately” gets dropped in their

There was a recognition of the threat...and a reaction to the threat

In this case it seems like only Paul was threatened and only he was removed; Silas and Timothy stayed behind to continue the work

...though once Paul arrived in Athens, he had them come to him there

The text indicates the the escorts from Berea accompanied Paul all the way to Athens to make sure he arrived safely

WITFM?

Imitate the Bereans

Addressing the “nobility” of the Berean

We need not be high-born…we just must follow in their example

They went to their Scripture to test the validity of the information being given by Paul and his team

They had the preconceived understandings of years of Jewish tradition...the teachings of the elders, writings by the rabbis of bygone years--many of whom disagreed on many things, e.g. marriage and divorce

Be eager to have your preconceived notions tested

There is a reasonable level of open mindedness...and a ridiculous level as well

Most of us come into a church with some preconceived notions

I come in with the mindset that I am here to worship God; others may have any number of other mindsets

Some may come in desperation, some out of a sense of obligation, some out of peer pressure, maybe to impress someone...????

The same applies to our approach to Scripture

After years of reading the Bible, studying it, being taught from it, through it, about it, I come to it fully convinced that it is the absolute inspired Word of the Living God, giving us all that is necessary for life and Godliness, meaning that it is complete, accurate, and sufficient for all our needs

2 Peter 1:3 ESV

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a treatise on math, nuclear fission, or host of other things...though it may set some baselines on some of the sciences

Examine the challenge using Scripture

In our morning text, the Bereans had been trusting in the law for their salvation...that is essentially a works-based concept

Paul would have taught them that it was faith that saved them Eph 2 8

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Ephesians 2:9 ESV

not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Paul preached salvation only through Jesus, who had fulfilled the law

They took what he’d said, chased the concept through the Scripture, and many...placed their trust in Jesus

We see it today when people come into churches trusting in their own works, their “good” lives, or any number of other false hopes to save them...we take them to Scripture

...and we have other examples...

For a current one, many have inquired over the years about being baptized

They come with understanding of the act that have been informed by many different traditions...from all directions of tradition, Catholic, Protestant, maybe even some thoughts that came out of Mormonism

Many don’t understand the why behind baptism--it’s a sign of obedience to Christ’s command, taught since the beginning of the Church

Many don’t understand who should be baptised--only those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ, and those who are actively living for Him

Many don’t understand the methodology of baptism--the only Biblical method is immersion

Where do we get those answers...from Scripture

The same applies to other questions...and other errors that come to our attention

How do we deal with the questions that come up--the real issues of the day, things that may challenge our faith?

Classic examples

The questions about abortion

Take them to the commandment: Do not commit murder

Build your case from there

Same-sex attraction

Take them to Genesis

...the image of God, the Biblical pattern for marriage, follow up with Jesus teaching on marriage, Romans 1’s statements

Questions on the Trinity

Show them Jesus praying to the Father, asking Him to send the Spirit

Questions on the deity of Christ

Take them to the Gospel or 1st Epistle of John

Questions about other paths to God

The them to John 14:6,

When we question our faith

Whatever the question we are asked

Whatever the statement that challenges our faith, do what the Bereans did, they were...

Acts 17:11 ESV

, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Lets not miss that little word, “daily!”

Have you been challenged today to believe that Jesus is the Christ...that it is necessary to trust in Him?

Time to deal with that now...if you’re still unconvinced, come see one of us and let us show you, from the Scriptures that you can be saved