Fact Checking: Like a Berean
The Bereans are people that we only hear of once or twice in the Bible - but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn a lot from them. They received God’s Word the right way, and they responded to Him the right way. God’s plans are timeless and perfect, and we need to decide to join His plans and be part of His glorious work, or miss out on the opportunity of an eternal lifetime. There’s no time like the present to get involved.
Scripture
Acts 17:10-15 ESV 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.
Through the Scripture
No time like the present
The urgency of Paul’s work is striking. He’s following Jesus teaching and fleeing to the next town where he can resume his ministry. Not only does he flee towards the next opportunity, but he takes it immediately going straight into the Jewish Synagogue there. While it’s good to reflect on his obedience and dedication, think about God’s provision, how did he travel there so quickly, and how was there a place ready for him to minister, to those who had access to the Word of God in a common language? Consider God’s sovereign power over all the kingdoms of the earth, then and now.
Acts 17:10-15 ESV The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
Matthew 10:23 ESV When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
2 Kings 25:8-9 ESV In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. [9] And he burned the house of the LORD and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down.
Daniel 7:4-7 ESV The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. [5] And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ [6] After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. [7] After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
Welcoming the Word
Look at the contrast between the Jews in Thessalonica and here at Berea. It’s not that the Jews persecuted Paul and the Gospel, it’s that certain Jews did so - others received the Gospel. What a great reminder of God’s great compassion on His people, through centuries of rejections and treachery, He still extends the life giving Word of the Gospel to the Jews.
Acts 17:11 ESV Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word…
Matthew 10:40 ESV “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
Romans 11:25-29 ESV Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; [27] “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Eager and excited to hear
They not only welcomed the word, but they did so quickly and with great enthusiasm. Do we have an enthusiasm for the Word of God? The Greek origin of the word enthusiasm literally means “possessed by the essence of God”. Are we “possessed by the Essence” of the One True God?
Acts 17:11 ESV …with all eagerness,
1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— [3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Fact checking every day looking for what is true
In contemporary culture, facts are readily dismissed in favour of feelings. What’s true matters less than how it makes us feel. The Bible warns us against this, reminding us of how unreliable our feelings and even our reasoning are without direction from God’s Word and His Holy Spirit. The Bereans spent time daily checking the Bible to test whether Paul’s teachings were actually true. Do we have this habit, or do we follow what makes us feel good.
Acts 17:11 ESV …examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Proverbs 28:26 ESV Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 ESV The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? [10] “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Faith comes from hearing the Word of God
The result of the Bereans receiving the Gospel with open and hungry hearts and testing it with Spirit directed minds was faith, saving faith. They believed and thus entered eternal life. The gravity of this can be so easily glossed over. What did they turn their backs on, in an instant, in favour of the Word’s of eternal life?
Acts 17:12 ESV Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
Romans 10:11 ESV For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Isaiah 12:2 ESV “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Thessalonica or Berea, who are we?
The Jews from Thessalonica took great pains and travelled great distances to disrupt the work of Paul and the preaching of the Gospel. Of course, they were wasting their time fighting God’s plan, in fact God merely used their actions to spread the Gospel more effectively. But instead of being like the Thessalonian Jews, we should be like the Bereans. They received the word, enthusiastically, testing it against the Scripture, to know the truth.
Acts 17:13 ESV 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.
Matthew 23:15 ESV Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
Brothers in the mission
The Bereans weren’t just good listeners, they showed the fruit of the work of God’s Holy Spirit in them in other ways too. They became doers, and partners in the Gospel, not just rescuing Paul but taking care of him until they could leave him safely in Athens. There’s no time like the present, God is still sovereign over all kingdoms. He is still using everything together for His own plans and Glory. Are we with Him like the Bereans and like Sopater?
Acts 17:14 ESV 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.
James 1:22 ESV But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Philippians 1:3-5 ESV I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, [4] always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Acts 20:4 ESV Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Daily Devotions
Monday: Seizing the Opportunity for Ministry
Today's Verse The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. (Acts 17:10)
Reflection The urgent departure of Paul and Silas demonstrates that when persecution arises, the appropriate response is to flee to the next place where ministry can resume immediately. The ministers of the Gospel did not pause to recover, but went straight to work, recognizing the opportunity for ministry in the new town. It is important to realize that this swift travel and access to a common language and established meeting places were not accidental. God, in His sovereign power, planned the preparation for the maximum spread of the Gospel thousands of years beforehand. He used successive world empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome—to set up the infrastructure, language, and culture necessary for the rapid dissemination of the message of His Son. Therefore, whenever an opportunity to serve Him arises, it is one that He has meticulously prepared.
Additional Scripture When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:23)
The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it. And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh.’ After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:4-7)
In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. (2 Kings 25:8-9)
Life Application Recognize that God has a plan for today, and He has been preparing it for a long time. Do not miss the opportunity He has given. When an opportunity to serve Him appears, seize it immediately, just as Paul went straight to the synagogue, rather than delaying.
Prayer points
To thank God for His preparation of opportunities for His people.
To ask Him for the urgency and dedication to seize opportunities for service immediately.
To pray that He helps us not to miss out on the good works He prepared beforehand for us to walk in.
Tuesday: Finding the Place God Has Prepared
Today's Verse The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. (Acts 17:10)
Reflection When Paul arrived in Berea, his first action was to go straight into the Jewish synagogue. This highlights a specific divine preparation. When the Temple was destroyed hundreds of years prior, the Jewish people were scattered, and wherever they formed a community, they established synagogues as places to meet and to keep the scrolls of the Word of God. God allowed the destruction and scattering centuries before the arrival of Jesus's Gospel to ensure that established places, filled with people who knew the Old Testament, were available for the Gospel to be preached. Jesus's ministers walked into places that God had been planting for 500 years. This shows His incredible provision and power in arranging all things, including kingdoms and empires, for the optimum spread of the Gospel.
Additional Scripture In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. (2 Kings 25:8-9)
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:23)
Life Application Acknowledge that even events that seem terrible or difficult are part of God’s plan, and He uses everything for His purposes and glory. Trust in Him to arrange events, and focus on seizing the moment to do the work He has prepared. Do not shoulder the responsibility of tomorrow, but trust Him every step of the way.
Prayer points
To thank Him for His sovereign control over history, ensuring the Gospel is accessible.
To pray for the ability to trust Him with future anxieties, knowing He plans everything out.
To ask for wisdom to recognize and enter the places He has prepared for us to minister.
Wednesday: Nobility in Receiving God's Word
Today's Verse 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)
Reflection The Jews in Berea were called "noble," which is an amazing compliment. Their nobility was evident in how they handled the word of God, contrasting with those in Thessalonica who rebelled. To "receive the word" means welcoming it with open arms, showing appreciation and value for the message. Jesus used this same word when He spoke of receiving His messengers as receiving Him. Despite the history of rejection by some of His people, God still extends the life-giving message of the Gospel to the Jews. True nobility lies in humbly accepting the message of Jesus, which fulfills the prophecies they had studied their whole lives.
Additional Scripture “Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. (Matthew 10:40)
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the Gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29)
Life Application We should strive to receive the word in the way the Bereans did: welcoming it, appreciating it, and valuing it highly. Acknowledge that we do not know enough about ourselves, God, or His word, and must be continually learning.
Prayer points
To pray for a humble heart, free from arrogance, so that we may always be open to learning from His word.
To ask Him to help us value the Gospel message that He graciously extends to all people.
To thank Him for His unending compassion on His people.
Thursday: Eagerness and Enthusiasm for God
Today's Verse 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)
Reflection The Bereans welcomed the word not just with openness, but with "all eagerness." The Greek word translated as enthusiasm literally means "filled with the essence of God." This shows that their enthusiastic response was a result of being moved by Him. They were not closed-minded, thinking they knew it all, even though they had been studying the Old Testament their entire lives. They eagerly wanted to hear if God had fulfilled His promises and sent the Messiah. This eagerness is the proper response of someone who desires Jesus and the truth He brings. We should long for the pure spiritual truth in the same way an infant longs for milk.
Additional Scripture with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Life Application Examine your heart and ask God to give you enthusiasm for the word, seeking knowledge of God and His will. Do not allow pride or arrogance to close off opportunities to learn new things that God has revealed. Respond joyfully and immediately to His revealed truth.
Prayer points
To ask God to fill us with His essence, resulting in genuine enthusiasm for learning.
To pray for the desire to long for the pure spiritual milk of the word.
To thank Him for revealing truth and fulfilling His promises in Jesus.
Friday: Testing Everything Against Scripture
Today's Verse 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)
Reflection The Bereans’ noble response included a critical safeguard: they examined the Scriptures daily to verify the teaching. They were not concerned with whether the message was practical, exciting, or whether it simply felt good; their primary concern was whether it was true. This habit of daily checking the word of God reminds us that we cannot rely solely on charismatic teachers or messages that appeal to our emotions. Feelings and human reasoning are unreliable without the direction of God's word and His Holy Spirit. This consistent testing against the standard of the Scriptures is essential because the human heart is deceitful. We must acknowledge the precision, purity, and power of His word, which He guarded through thousands of years.
Additional Scripture Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lᴏʀᴅ search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Life Application Make it a daily discipline to test all teachings, spiritual messages, and personal convictions against the written word of God. Do not substitute emotional appeal or personal feelings for objective truth. Pray that the purity of His word directs our minds and actions.
Prayer points
To thank Him for preserving His word for us so freely.
To pray for wisdom and discipline to examine the Scriptures daily.
To ask Him to deliver us from trusting in our own fallible minds and feelings.
Saturday: The Result of Seeking Truth – Saving Faith
Today's Verse Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:12)
Reflection The result of receiving the Gospel with hungry hearts and testing it against the Scriptures was saving faith; many of them believed and entered eternal life. This belief changed their lives, transforming them from intelligent, noble people into individuals with a relationship with God. We must not gloss over the gravity of this change. For the Greek people who believed, this conversion was the fulfillment of God’s plan, which He had prepared long before they were born. Their faith ensures they will not be put to shame. It is only by hearing the word of God and believing in Jesus, the promised Messiah, that one finds salvation, strength, and life.
Additional Scripture For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)
“Behold, God is My salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lᴏʀᴅ Gᴏᴅ is My strength and My song, and He has become My salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)
Life Application Remember how incredible the moment of saving faith is, recognizing the eternal life and relationship with God that comes through belief in Jesus. Use the knowledge that faith comes from hearing the word to actively share the Gospel message, bringing eternal life to those who have not heard or listened yet. Trust in Him alone as your strength and song.
Prayer points
To thank God for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that comes through faith in His Son.
To pray that the awe of receiving His salvation never diminishes.
To ask Him for boldness to share the word so others may hear and believe.
Sunday: From Hearers to Doers and Partners
Today's Verse 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. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 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. (Acts 17:13-15)
Reflection The success of the Gospel in Berea immediately attracted opposition from those motivated by jealousy and wickedness who traveled great distances to disrupt the work. However, God used their agitation to spread the Gospel even further. Crucially, the new believers in Berea, now referred to as "the brothers," did more than just listen; they became doers of the word. They acted immediately to protect Paul, shipping him off and conducting him safely hundreds of kilometers away to Athens. This demonstrates the immediate fruit of the Holy Spirit's work, transforming them into partners in the Gospel mission. Within a short time, they transitioned from eager listeners to active, serving Christians, ready to commit to the work God had prepared for them. You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for you to walk in.
Additional Scripture But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. This is not your own doing. It is the gift of God. not a result of works that no one can boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)
Life Application Be a doer of the word, not just a hearer. The life of faith is not passive; it includes action, service, and partnership in the Gospel. Respond to the divine plan He has set out, understanding that you are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for you. Seize today and commit to walking in those works without delay.
Prayer points
To thank God for the grace by which we are saved, which is not based on our works.
To pray for the motivation and commitment to move from hearing His word to doing His word.
To ask Him for courage to partner in the Gospel and support those who preach it, even when facing opposition.