What Does the Bible Say?

 

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 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. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12 ESV).

 

It is plain what the Bible says about itself (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16); however, it is important to realize that the early church both believed and practiced a faith in the Bible that was unwavering. Our reading today gives us an insight into the depth of that faith. The people in Berea carefully examined the Scriptures to make sure Paul’s teaching was true. They used the Scripture to validate the preaching and teaching of the apostle, which is precisely how it ought to be in our practice today.

 

When I was a young pastor, I liked to think I was a diligent student of the Scripture. I was competent in the Hebrew and more advanced in the Greek of the Scripture. It would not have been unusual to find me studying at a large table with both of those books and several other commentaries and lexicons. I wanted more than anything to make sure I was as close to the accurate interpretation of the Bible as possible. had studied, and I knew many of the important teachings of the Bible. Even now, five decades later, I am very careful to research the Scripture before I instruct others in it's truth.

 

In Paul’s day, the people in Berea didn’t have the Bible as we know it. They had the Hebrew Scriptures that make up the Old Testament in our Bibles today. So, to examine Paul’s teaching about Jesus as Savior (Messiah), they had to do some heavy study of Isaiah and other prophecies. I picture them pondering and having discussions at tables with scrolls unrolled—and then exclaiming, “Paul’s right—listen to this!”

 

Through the centuries we have had many scholars and theologians do the same. They have studied previous writers and measured them against the Scripture to determine the veracity of such teaching. So, as we begin another series in these devotionals we’ll revisit those truths as a way of celebrating that helpful work—and especially God’s gift of salvation!