Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."
ACTS 17 : 1b
The believer in Thessalonica realize that their city leaders will do anything to keep the peace and suppress rumors of rebellion, and that thejews will not cease from their false accusations if Paul and his companions remain. The situation in untenable. So they send the missionaries out of the city under cover of darkness.
Skirting an arm of the Aegean sea, the party heads for the town of Berea. This is a much smaller locale than Paul customarily targets, but it does have synagogue. As per his custom, Paul goes there to preach the Gospel to local Jews. Luke is quick to draw a contrast between the response of these Jews and those in zthessalonica; thr Bereans are more " fair- minded," he says why? They have high regard for and faith nin the Cruptures. Dr. Simon kistemaker say, "when Paul proclaim the Gospel, they immediately go to God's written Word for verification. . . . Day by day, the Bereans examine the Scripture to see whether the teaching of Paul and Sil accord with God's written word. They do so notfrom unbelief and foubt but from honest analysis and eagerness to learn the message of Go's revelation." Ensbled by the spirit to see that the things taught by ypsul agree with their treasured Scriptures, many of the Jews and the Gentile God-fearers believe.
We have seen that the Jews of Thessalonica were like those of Asia Minor in their Jealousy over the Gospel's success among the Gentiles of their synagogue. Now we see thst they are also like Asia Minor Jews in the depth of their Jealousy; as those Jews followed Pail to harass him, so do these. Hearing of Paul's work, the thessalonican Jew Journey to berea and begin agitating the pagan crowds, once again, Paul is forced to abandon a fledgling work, but he leaves Silas and Timonthy behind to organize the church.
Believers from the Berean church escort all the way down the Grecian peninsula to Athens.
Luke is not clear on how they travel, but his passing mention that they go "to sea" may indicate passage by ship. But upon arriving in the secular, sophisticated heart of Greek culture, Paul realize he will need help and asks his Berean companions to return home and home and send silas and Timothy to him as quickless as posiible. A great challenge lies before them
Jesus said that searching the Scripture will not lead to eternal life unless it leads to him (John5:39). The Bereand, for all their love of the sacred writings, were lost until the were enabled to see Christ in thr Scripture. Be diligentl to read and study your Bible. But as you do, ask God to lead you through it to a deeper understanding of Christ.
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