10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11. 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. 12. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
This account of Paul and Silas at Berea is full of lessons for us today.
The Bereans searched the scriptures because Paul and Silas had opened scriptures.
This means opening scriptures is a learned trait. Man is a product of influence, who would do that which the heart is continually exposed to.
Again, Since Luke says of the Bereans that they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so”, we can tell that Paul and Silas must have used a lot of scriptural reference while ministering.
We can also tell that the Bereans must have had a way of recalling what they had heard in the synagogue.
Since Luke says of the Bereans that “they received the word”, we know that the word that they had received must be the message that Paul and Silas must have given them while ministering from the scriptures in the synagogue.
Thus, Paul and Silas did not go into the Jewish synagogue to participate in business seminars, trade, government or to discuss current affairs.
The consequence of the Bereans searching the scriptures was that they believed.
Since these were early days of the church and none of the Epistles had been written, the scriptures that Paul and Silas had opened would have been some of those prophecies between Genesis and Malachi.
This confirms that Genesis to Malach are not at odds with the Epistles.
When Genesis to Malachi are properly taught and preached, it causes men to believe
… to be continued