Well, my dear friend, I can begin by sharing the paragraph from the Morrish Bible Dictionary regarding the city as follows: “Berea. [Bere’a] City of Macedonia, visited by Paul, where he found some Jews who were more noble than those of Thessalonica, inasmuch as they tested by the scriptures what Paul preached: to which is added “therefore many of them believed.” Sopater was of this city. It is now called Kara Verria, on the eastern slope of the Olympian range. Acts 17:10, 13; Acts 20:4.”

What I deduce about the Bereans from Acts 17 follows. With all the trouble being directed towards Paul in Thessalonica, the brethren thought it best to move Paul and Silas out of the town in an effort to protect their lives. Thus, we read in Acts 17:10: “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.” And so, in Berea, we find Paul and Silas again going to the synagogue and preaching just as they had done in previous places, but here the reception was much more encouraging. We read in verse 11: “These 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.”

Now, you’ll note that the Bereans were cited as being “more noble” than those in Thessalonica, as their hearts appeared to be very willing to know and to submit to God’s Word. These not only received Paul’s message with eagerness but went that important next step to actually look up the Scriptures he was citing just to ensure that these things Paul was telling them were consistent with the Word of God and thus true. And so, it should be for Christians today! My dear friend, it strikes me that the account of the Berean’s reaction to Paul’s message is a great and very important example for Christians who truly want to know God’s will for their lives, and this is true regardless of the question being considered. God has revealed Himself to this world in His Word, the Bible, and He has given us all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3,4).

In any question about the decisions and plans for our lives, about the church and its order, or about how we should conduct ourselves before the world, I believe that the Bible teaches us how we can walk according to God’s will. However, the Word must be read and studied and then believed and practiced. We are not left to look to any decision of the majority of people, however well-meaning they might be. The world today often decides on moral issues based on committee discussions about what is acceptable given the changing times and what seems best for society, always looking for that very comfortable middle of the road compromise. But the Bible remains the one and only source of truth! We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” And, just like the Bereans of old, we are directed to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Furthermore, we see in Isaiah 8:20 that God’s Word is the last word on any matter, so if anyone comes preaching or teaching that which is not consistent with the Scriptures, we will know that their teaching is not the true Word of God: “…if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” This is why the Bereans were careful to prove by the Scriptures what they were hearing; and so, we too must consider the Scripture to be the final voice on all things regarding life and godliness!  (SF)  (607.6)