Chapter Seventeen part Two: Berea

This sermon is not about whether or not the Bible is true.

There is historical and archaeological evidence for the Bible.

Consider the following details in just a single chapter of the Bible that have been confirmed by historians and archaeologists:

The proper location (Amphipolis and Apollonia) of where travelers would spend successive nights on this journey (Acts 17:1)

The presence of a synagogue in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1)

The proper title, “politarchs,” used of the magistrates there (Acts 17:6)

The correct implication that sea travel is the most convenient way of reaching Athens with favoring east winds of summer sailing (Acts 17:14)

The abundant presence of images in Athens (Acts 17:16)

The reference to a synagogue in Athens (Acts 17:17)

The depiction of the Athenian life of philosophical debate in the Agora (Acts 17:17)

The use of the correct Athenian slang word for Paul, a spermologos (Acts 17:18), as well as the court (areios pagos)

The proper characterization of the Athenian character (Acts 17:21)

An altar to an “unknown god” (Acts 17:23)

The proper reaction of Greek philosophers who denied bodily resurrection (Acts 17:32)

Areopagites as the correct title for a member of the court (Acts 17:34)

There are eye witness testimonies to the accounts depicted in Scripture

There is uniqueness and evidence for divine inspiration in the Bible

Witnesses to the events of Scripture (specifically the death and resurrection of Jesus) were willing to die for what they knew to be true

1 John 1:1–4 CSB

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—3 what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

It has been diligently and faithfully passed down from generation to generation (Dead Sea Scrolls)

Acts 17:10–15 CSB

10 As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and upsetting the crowds. 14 Then the brothers and sisters immediately sent Paul away to go to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed on there. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

What is truth?

Truth: the body of real things, events, and facts (Merriam-Webster)

Subjective: opinion

Objective: factual

We live in a world that tries to do away with objective truth. Subjective truth is not a firm foundation. The Bible offers us objective truth. It is an absolute. Our lives become subjective to the Bible’s authority in our lives.

ἀνακρίνω (Anakrino)

examine or judge

to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinise, sift, question

specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation

to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses

to judge of, estimate, determine (the excellence or defects of any person or thing)

Don’t just take a person’s word for it. Take what they say and compare it to what the Bible says.

How do we examine the Truth of Scripture?

To seek Truth is to seek Jesus

John 14:5–7 CSB

5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

We do not seek to confirm our own beliefs but to find the truth of the Gospel

Anecdotes and Illustrations of D. L. Moody Related by Him in His Revival Work One Book at a Time

I have found it a good plan to take up one book at a time. It is a good deal better to study one book at a time than to run through the Bible. If we study one book and get its key, it will, perhaps, open up others. Take up the book of Genesis, and you will find eight beginnings; or, in other words, you pick up the key of several books. The gospel was written that man might believe on Jesus Christ, and every chapter speaks of Him. Now, take the book of Genesis; it says it is the book of beginnings. That is the key; then the book of Exodus—it is the book of redemption; that is the key word of the whole. Take up the book of Leviticus, and we find that it is the book of sacrifices. And so on through all the different books; you will find each one with a key. Another thing: We must study it unbiased. A great many people believe certain things. They believe in certain creeds and doctrines, and they run through the book to get Scripture in accordance with them. If a man is a Calvinistic man he wants to find something in accordance with his doctrine. But if we go to seek truth the Spirit of God will come. Don’t seek it in the blue light of Presbyterianism, in the red light of Methodism, or in the light of Episcopalianism, but study it in the light of Calvary.

We seek truth because it pleases the Lord

Psalm 51:6–7 CSB

6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self, and you teach me wisdom deep within. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

“Integrity” or truthfulness depending on translation

We seek truth because it shows us the way we should live

Psalm 86:11–13 CSB

11 Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name. 12 I will praise you with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor your name forever. 13 For your faithful love for me is great, and you rescue my life from the depths of Sheol.

We seek truth because it is worth our investment

Proverbs 23:23 CSB

23 Buy—and do not sell—truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

We seek truth because God’s words are true

John 8:42–47 CSB

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and I am here. For I didn’t come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Who among you can convict me of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 The one who is from God listens to God’s words. This is why you don’t listen, because you are not from God.”

We seek truth because not everyone tells us the truth

1 John 4:1 CSB

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

How do we examine truth?

Crime Scene Investigation

Crime scene investigators document the crime scene. They take photographs and physical measurements of the scene, identify and collect forensic evidence, and maintain the proper chain of custody of that evidence. Crime scene investigators collect evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood and other body fluids, hairs, fibers and fire debris.

How to be a good Crime Scene Investigator with the Bible: (answer these from the perspective of a detective then as a Christian)

Ask Questions

Trust the Holy Spirit inside of you

Some claim to speak for the Spirit, but if you are a Christian you have the Spirit inside of you.

James 1:5–8 CSB

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

Trust Scripture and use it as your source of truth

It is God’s word. It will not lie to you because God cannot lie.

Proverbs 3:5–8 CSB

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

Consult trustworthy allies

Gather evidence

Take notes

Proclaim the Truth

Apply it to your life

Prepare a defense

Example scenario

One of your loved ones is sick

“Why is my loved one sick?” “Am I being punished?”

Conflicting “truth”: if this loved one is sick it must mean you have sinned or that you don’t have enough faith. God doesn’t love you and he is punishing you. You can’t trust God he is angry and wrathful

“Lord give me wisdom. Comfort me and help me find the truth”

Scripture teaches that sickness exists because of sin. My loved ones sin is not a necessarily a direct consequence of my sin or lack of faith but it is part of living in a broken and fallen world. My loved one being sick does not mean God has forsaken me or that He wishes me harm because His word says that He loves me and is working all things for my good. God uses my pain to create in me steadfastness and holiness. I can trust in Him because He is faithful. He sent His Son Jesus into this broken world to suffer just like me. Jesus felt the hurts of this world but He remained perfect. He died on the cross and rose again so that my loved one and I along with all people that put their faith in Him can have eternal life with Him in heaven, free of sin, sickness, and death. Alive with Him forever.

Talk with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Let the God’s community of people suffer with you, grieve with you, seek truth with you

Look for stories of people in Scripture who have suffered the same way you have. (Job) He remained faithful despite the pain he experienced, and at the end came to understand greater the holiness and power of God.

Write down truth, not just on a piece of paper, but on your hearts. Memorize Scripture. Bind it to your heart so it is with you everywhere you go.

Share the truth you have with others

Live out truth in your daily walk with Christ

Be ready to defend the truth against those that wish to cause you harm. Defend what you believe because it is what is right. The world desperately needs the truth of the Gospel.

Prepare a defense

1 Peter 3:13–22 CSB

13 Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.