Berea’s response
Acts 17:10-15 1/14/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Paul and his party’s experience in Thessalonica was not so pleasant. Because of Jason’s guarantee, Paul was given the opportunity to be released on bail pending trial. What’s next? Life is nothing more than two choices: forward or backward. What is your choice? Let’s look at the first point:
Enter the synagogue again
What does it mean to enter the synagogue again? Just entering the synagogue again! It’s easy to talk about, but it’s not easy to be there. First, passing from death to life. Our life experience tells us that we should seek good fortune, avoid disaster, and escape disaster, right? Who would dare to go after past experience, especially in the Thessalonica synagogue! Just because of the jealousy in the hearts of the Jews, a prison sentence was caused. However, we can find that after Paul and the others were released on bail, they rushed overnight to Berea, about 80 kilometers southwest of Thessalonica. Berea belongs to the territory of the Kingdom of Macedonia. After many twists and turns in history, wars and the rule of the Greek and Roman empires, Berea became an idol worship center in the Roman Empire. Paul and his company seemed not to be disturbed by it; they were devoted to Christ alone and devoted themselves to the gospel, in order to live out the truth of passing from death to life. He had the courage of “if I perish, I perish.” and went straight to the synagogue in Berea without saying a word.
Secondly, there are good ones too. What may have surprised Paul was that their experience in Berea was completely different from their experience in Thessalonica. The Bible says: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; “ The word “noble” mentioned here in the original text means a gentleman of noble birth and good character. The English word “noble” is used to express a person’s nobility. The dignity mentioned here refers to spiritual dignity. Because the Macedonians themselves were “lower Greeks”, they were despised by the Greeks in Athens, who believed that they did not have the philosophical cultivation, logical ability and noble blood of the Athenians. But what is unexpected is that among such a group full of emotional impulses, there is a group of people who are called noble people in the Bible.
Finally, examining the Scriptures. The standard of the noble is they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ” Dear brothers and sisters, do you love reading the Bible? If so, then you are also a noble person in the eyes of God. This is not easy. When I first believed in the Lord, I felt sleepy as soon as I read the Bible. I believe many people have the same experience. The reason why you are sleepy is because you cannot understand the Bible. When you cannot understand the Bible, you may not have a true relationship with God. If you don’t have a relationship with God, you will definitely have no interest in the Bible. Looking at other people who practice spiritual devotion and write discipleship homeworks, but you always seem to be unable to fit in. Why? There is a word in English called “desire”, which does not mean lust, but means longing. That means reading the Bible like a deer thirsting for water, not a want, but a need. Let’s look at the second point:
Many believed
If a person really wants to read the Bible and desires to understand the Bible, then it is highly probable that he will embark on the path of faith. First of all, there are many people who believe. This is something Paul is encouraged about these days, that there are people coming to Christ. And there are quite a few people who believe it. The record here in the Bible is straightforward, as if it were a common occurrence for someone to believe in the Lord. But in fact, they were specially prepared by God. Before they believed in the Lord, the Bible says : “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ” This sentence can also be translated like this: “The people in this place are because they long for the word of God and are willing to pay the price to study the Bible every day until they understand it.” On the contrary, if some of us believe in the Lord because of a certain reason, they believe it anyway. Among many reasons, which have nothing to do with God’s words. In this case, faith is painful and confusing for them.
Second, women of high standing. There seems to be a phenomenon in the church today where there are more women than men, is that right? If you ask me what the reason is, I don’t know. Obviously, this was already the case in the early church. The words that appear in the scriptures “women of high standing”, generally refer to some influential women. They may be the wives of some famous people, or the wives of outstanding people in certain fields, or even the wives of high-ranking officials. It is usually believed that these noble wives were rare guests in the synagogue, but showed reverence for God. Some scholars believe that the Jews wanted to use their status to influence their husbands and attack Paul and his team. In short, in the early New Testament church, sisters had a prominent position. Especially it was these noble women whose conversion greatly encouraged the church and became a help to Paul.
Finally, there are also many men. “There are also many men,” is a sentence that is both light and heavy. Man was created first by God, and then woman. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s gender laws for men and women are very clear. Men are the heads, leaders, and spiritual leaders of the family. Therefore, when Paul said this, there was a tacit meaning. That is to say, as men, you should bear heavy responsibilities in the church, because you are “not a few men” and there is no excuse for this. As brothers, we may have low self-esteem, shyness, weakness, or timidity due to some reasons, and thus we dare not take on heavy responsibilities in the church. But in God’s eyes, God has actually given you the load. If you don’t boldly bear the heavy load, you won’t be able to give an account to God in the future. Let’s look at the third point:
Still disturbing
I also want to have a troublesome thing that is over, and it is over once and for all. The trouble will never come back again. But, it’s difficult! First, trouble follows. Life is like this, how much success you have will be accompanied by how much trouble! Paul and his team had left Thessalonica and was preaching in Berea, where some people believed in the Lord. The news soon spread back to Thessalonica, and the Jews there followed, and the Bible says they “agitating and stirring up the crowds.” Think about it, if a person does not believe in Jesus Christ, he can be very bad. Including God’s chosen people, the Israelites, who crucified Messiah Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus has been crucified and even resurrected and ascended to heaven, but these Jews are still chasing after the disciples of Jesus Christ and refusing to let them go! A student cannot be higher than his teacher. This is also the only way for a man of God.
Secondly, on the way to the sea. Perhaps because Paul was a preacher and a relatively big target at that time, he was first transferred on the way to the sea to ensure safety. At this time, Silas and Timothy were still living in Berea. I looked at the map and found that it is not necessary to take a boat to go to the seaside. There is a coastal road that leads directly to Athens, so it should most likely reach Athens by land. Here we see that God allowed them to establish a loving relationship with each other in a very short period of time. The love built by relationship in the Lord is not the same as the world. Oftentimes there is no need for history, blood relationship, interests, etc. It is because Christ loves us so that we love one another.
Finally, the team reunites. In anticipation of a crisis, the first thing to do is to stabilize and rebuild the team. Paul had been sent to Athens by the brothers in Berea, and what followed was, of course, to “call Silas and Timothy to come to him quickly.” Paul wanted to rebuild his spiritual team, strengthen and encourage Silas and Timothy. Maybe everyone could be invited to share how they feel, what they think, and what suggestions they have when going through crises. In fact, the most important thing is to align everyone with the core values of Jesus Christ. That is to say, it is not surprising and valuable that we encounter persecution. Because God in heaven will remember our suffering for Him!
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! Berea’s response included gratitude, persecution, growth, and expectations! We seem to see that Timothy has been established again. From Paul to Silas, and from Silas to Timothy, discipleship training in the church was passed down from generation to generation.
Let us pray……
Acts 17:10-15
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
