© 2009 F. O’Donoghue
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. (Acts 17:11).
The Apostle Paul was a seasoned orator and debater, and the people of Berea loved his message, so they were keen to receive it. However, the Bereans didn’t take his teaching at face value, but rather measured the validity of his message against scripture through their own personal examination of the Word. This ‘noble’ practise, which is lauded by Luke in Acts 17, was not commonplace then, and is certainly not the norm today either.
The example and commendation of the Berean attitude is clear. We should all study the scriptures for ourselves, and question the validity of any teaching by measuring it against the scriptures. It is easy to be misled if we do not exercise our individual responsibility to check all teaching (and preaching) against God’s Word. A clever speaker can twist the context of scripture to teach almost anything (deliberately or otherwise), and this is why diverse and contrary doctrines abound. I urge everyone to check the teaching on this site (and any other) against scripture. We are all subject to human error, and I have often had to refine my theology based on new evidence that comes to light as I grow in understanding.
We must learn to feed ourselves, and not become accustomed to being spoon-fed the Word of God. If we neglect to examine the Scriptures for ourselves, we become vulnerable to diverse ‘winds of doctrine’ which can turn us away from truth, & shipwreck our faith. Luke tells us that the Bereans ‘received the word with all readiness of mind’, yet they were wise enough to check Paul’s teaching against the scriptures. It is presumptuous and lazy to allow charisma and clever oratory to rule our sense of judgment, but noble to desire truth above what our sensibilities and itching ears may desire to hear.
2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Continued study of the scriptures leads to personal enlightenment, and strengthens our faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith can only come through genuine inner revelation of truth, and this is what every believer has to have. By all means we can listen to preachers and teachers, but in the spirit of the Berean saints, we must take ownership of investigation so that we can be approved; rightly dividing the word of truth. Without this, our faith is not approved, and will not serve us when we are tried.
On a final note, and with reference to the effect of diverse doctrines, it is interesting that scripture commends all believers to speak the same truth, and not to be divided. Is God divided? How can truth be divided against itself? According to scripture, the mature Christian does not need man to instruct him, for he has the mind of Christ through the holy spirit.
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1 Corinthians 2: 14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3: 1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
These passages reveal that there is one mind in which believers are joined together; which is the mind of Christ. All divisions and confusion that arise from the diverse interpretations outside of this unity, are the result of spiritual immaturity and carnality. Therefore, if diverse doctrines abound on a subject, we need to find our way to the correct one, which will bring us into unity with the mind of Christ. This cannot be achieved through our intellect alone, or through the mere teachings of men. If we do not recognise the original, we will certainly not identify the counterfeit. So, how do we identify original truth? Simply by measuring the words we hear or read against scripture itself, just as the Bereans did.
A sincere desire for truth, patience, and an open, humble attitude toward learning are essential tools for rightly dividing the word of truth. Understanding and pruning false motives in our quest for knowledge is essential also, since these grow back like weeds time and again. Unless knowledge can be converted into practical wisdom, it is useless, and practical wisdom invariably finds it’s source in the spiritual. If the knowledge we gain doesn’t bear spiritual fruit, then it is not the knowledge of God, therefore what can it profit? The profit from God’s wisdom is fruit for the benefit of all, and brings unity to the faith.
