Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 260

September 17;       Acts 17:11;       106/260(III);       ‘Searching the Scriptures’

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica teaching in the synagogue.  Many were led to Jesus.  The Jews who were not converted were jealous of Paul and Silas, and became dangerous.  Fearing for the safety of Paul and Silas, the Christians sent them away at night, to Berea.  As soon as Paul and Silas arrived in Berea they went into the synagogue to teach.  The dedication and faithfulness of these two men of God is such an example.  The Bereans were much more open minded to the Word of God than they were in Thessalonica.  As this verse tells us, the Bereans searched the Scriptures to make sure what Paul and Silas taught was accurate.  How import this is to do.  Our eternal life and success in life here, depends on us knowing the truths of God’s Word.  The Lord loved us so much that He put His truths into a Book called the Bible.  God’s Word is our protection from religious teachings that unknowingly or knowingly deviate from what the Bible teaches.  We do not need religious information or the teachings of men that are not in line with the Word of God.  The Lord Jesus came against the religious leaders because they taught as truth, traditions they made up.  The Pharisees had the God given Penteteuch and their own book of teachings.  After a while they mixed both books together.  Again, teachings about the Lord must be Scripture or based on Scripture.  Religion and the devil would deceive us.  The Word of God prevents this.