Checking The Sermon

Acts 17:10 shows Paul and Silas traveled to Berea and preached in “the synagogue of the Jews.” Then Acts 17:11 reads “These (the Bereans) 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.”

It is very true this passage teaches in a general way that we should be daily studying God’s word (see also II Timothy 2:15, I Peter 3:15). However, more specifically this passage highly commends the Bereans for presently checking the teaching of Paul and Silas. Notice they “searched the scriptures” to see if “those things” preached by Paul and Silas in the synagogue “were so.”

Do you look up in your Bible the scriptures referred to by the preacher during his sermon? Or do you take notes during the sermon so that you can look up the scriptures later? If you don’t do one or both of these things (or something equivalent), then you violate God’s requirement (Heb 6:12) as set forth by this approved example in Acts 17:11.

It is not enough to just say every time, “well, I know what that scripture says.” That is what those who sit at the feet of false teachers always say. Our example is that the Bereans actually “searched the scriptures.”

This verse doesn’t just apply to those in other “churches” as many indicate by their preaching of it, but lack of practice of it. It applies to everybody, including you and me. Let’s all receive “the word with all readiness of mind, and” search “the scriptures daily,” to see “whether those things” (preached) are so.

written June 29, 1988

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