PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 30 ) | THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY | LESSON FROM BEREA ( PART 1)

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3130

PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 30 )

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
LESSON FROM BEREA ( PART 1)

 The people of Berea were more open-minded than the people of Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive God's message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true ( Acts 17:11 ).

Acts 17:12 -15 tells us that:

" 12 Many of them became believers, and quite a number of them were prominent Greek men and women. 13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica found out that Paul was also spreading God's word in Berea, they went there to upset and confuse the people. 14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the seacoast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. 15 The men who escorted Paul took him all the way to the city of Athens. When the men left Athens, they took instructions back to Silas and Timothy to join Paul as soon as possible.

Although the evangelizing of Thessalonica was somewhat successful (17:1 - 9), Jews in the city who were envious of Paul's success at attracting new converts stirred up the people against them. Such actions led him and Silas to escape to Berea but the mob followed them there. 

Today in Berea or Veria, there is an alcove shrine with a beautiful mosaic showing Paul ministering the gospel to Jews, prominent men and women of Berea, and even pagans portrayed as poorer citizens.

Abba Father, in this interlude at Berea You are teaching us the right responses of those who were keen to hear the preaching of the gospel:

1. Truth seekers like the Jews of Berea who, instead of ousting Paul as a false teacher,  checked the Old Testament to see if Paul's teaching of Jesus as their Messiah was in accordance to their scriptures.

2. Socially prominent if not educated men and women of Berea who could influence the lives of others once they elect to become believers.

3. Gentiles of the city who were illiterate and poor but understood the evangelistic message of Paul who probably preached in Koine Greek ( Market Street Greek ). 

Thus the blessing came upon those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. And Berea becomes known in history as a congenial town that was openly receptive to the good news of the gospel.