Five Places that Paul Visited
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. Acts 17:11 (ESV)
Following another nocturnal escape, Paul and Barnabas were sent to the city of Berea. As was their custom, the two of them went to the local synagogue to preach. When they did this, they were pleasantly surprised. Their audience was more noble than that of Thessalonica, the city from which they just came. The Jews in Berea examined the Scriptures to fact check Paul and Silas. This was a proper thing for them to do, because the Scriptures are for all people, the only source of spiritual light. God’s Words for us to ponder and learn cannot be found anywhere else except the Holy Scriptures.
If you share God’s Word with a fellow Christian and they offer a remark from the Bible that may sound different than what you are saying, make sure to investigate it yourself. They may be right, and if so, we let God’s word stand as true. They may be wrong, and if so, we trust that God will use His Word to correct what is wrong.
There are many blind guides in the world today who offer so many different religious truths. God sorts out what is good and casts aside what is evil. He makes plain the good with the shining light of the Bible, and, like when darkness is confronted by light, casts aside the false teachings. When posed with theological thoughts, make sure to check the Bible. And when you’re properly corrected with the Bible, rejoice, for now you know the truth!
The Bereans do give us a good example, but what makes it good is the Word upon which they stand. This Word is the Word of our Savior; whose death and resurrection verify every statement and promise to which He has given us. Thank God for His guiding Word.
Lamp of our feet whereby we trace
our path when wont to stray;
Stream from the fount of heav’nly grace,
brook by the trav’ler’s way;
The Lutheran Hymnal 291:1