And now to Beroea
Acts 17:10-15
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Beroea as well, they came there too, to stir up and incite the crowds. 14 Then the believers immediately sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving instructions to have Silas and Timothy join him as soon as possible, they left him.
The Christians in Thessalonica, worried about Paul and Silas’ safety, and also wanting to reduce the pressure on the new church in Thessalonica get Paul and Silas out of town, sending them to Beroea which was 70 kilometers (45 miles) further west. Here the team again went to the synagogue, but this time they had a better reception in the Jewish community. There was almost no opposition, rather there was engaged conversation.
Vs. 11 gives an insight into the discernment process – they listened eagerly to Paul and Silas’ preaching and then checked what they heard against the Scriptures as they had them (that being the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament). This model provides all Christians with a way of thinking about all the preaching that they hear. A way of evaluating everyone who says they are speaking for God. Does what is being said line up with what the Bible says? That is, is what the preacher says consistent with the direction and flow of the Bible which we affirm is the Word of God to humanity. The preached word builds on what is present in the Bible, if what is preached does not have a foundation in the Bible then it is not Christian preaching.
The people of the synagogue in Beroea were engaged by Paul’s words, found that his preaching was consistent with the Scriptures and so “many of them believed” along with some Gentiles both women and men. Only after the Word of God had taken hold in the Christian community in Beroea did problems arise. Paul was again the center of the conflict, so he alone was snuck out of town with Silas and Timothy staying to disciple the church. Meanwhile Paul was left alone in Athens.
PRAYER:
O Lord, You have given us your word the Bible, teach us to read it carefully. Show us how to use the Scripture to discern your voice among the voices of preachers and the speech of the religious. Shape us into people who are guided by your Word we pray. In Jesus’ name., Amen.