Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 17
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. 12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
Commentary:
17:10 Berea. At least two inscriptions confirm a Jewish presence in Berea after the time of Paul.
17:11 Noble translates the Greek eugenēs, which originally meant “of noble birth” or “well born.” The word was also applied to people who exhibited noble behavior, in that they were open-minded, fair, and thoughtful. Thus Luke saw the Bereans as “more noble” in their receiving Paul’s message with all eagerness, and then in looking to the written words of the OT as their final authority, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. By commending this activity, Luke encourages this searching of the Scriptures as a pattern for all believers and also gives support to the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, the idea that the Bible can be understood rightly, not only by scholars but also by ordinary people who read it eagerly and diligently, with conscious dependence on God for help.
17:11 Noble translates the Greek eugenēs, which originally meant “of noble birth” or “well born.” The word was also applied to people who exhibited noble behavior, in that they were open-minded, fair, and thoughtful. Thus Luke saw the Bereans as “more noble” in their receiving Paul’s message with all eagerness, and then in looking to the written words of the OT as their final authority, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. By commending this activity, Luke encourages this searching of the Scriptures as a pattern for all believers and also gives support to the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, the idea that the Bible can be understood rightly, not only by scholars but also by ordinary people who read it eagerly and diligently, with conscious dependence on God for help.
Questions:
- In verse 10, Paul and Silas come to Berea, where the people were much more open-minded. They listened intently to what they had to say and even searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were speaking the truth. In this way, the Bereans set for us a great example of the way WE should approach Scripture and teaching. We should be eager to hear God's Word and to search the Scriptures. We should be diligent to test everything we hear against the truth of the Word of God. How eager are you to receive revelation from God's Word? Do you think about it like something you HAVE to do or SHOULD do more often? Could it be said of you that you HUNGER for more truth from Scripture?
- Clayton shared this quote from Darrell Bock: "The Christian life is an examined life, where one employs the Scripture like an X-ray to ascertain the nature of religious truth, life, and one’s heart.” Does this accurately describe your life and relationship with Scripture? When was the last time the truth of the Word exposed something in your heart that might not have been pleasing to God? How often are you letting the Bible expose what's going on inside of you, like an X-ray?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would hunger for God's Word.
- That you would daily hold your life up against Scripture.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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