A. INTRODUCTION: THE BEREAN CHURCH ACTS 17:10-15
1. Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica (17:1-9).
a. A powerful church in spite of suffering (1 Thess. 1:6).
b. The church had a strong witness (1 Thess. 1:8-10).
c. Was looking for Christ’s return (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
2. Berea was far inland from seaport of Thessalonica. The law of emperor worship was enforced in Thessalonica, but not Berea. As a result, Jews lived there, a Synagogue.
3. Paul’s strategy, “Went to the Synagogue” (Acts 17:10). “To the Jew first, also the Gentiles” (Rom. 1:16). Why?
a. Priority in time.
b. Paul’s physical family identity with Jews.
c. Priority of opportunity.
B. THE CHALLENGE OF BIBLE STUDY
1. The U.S. “Bible Church” movement vs. other denominations.
a. Used Bible teaching as evangelistic tools to reach lost church members.
b. Used Bible teaching to grow believers.
c. To capitalize on “Scofield Bible” movement in U.S.
2. Blinded to Scriptures, “natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit . . . nor know them . . . spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14).
3. The Bible gives spiritual illumination (understanding). “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Ps. 119:18). “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Eph. 1:18).
C. SIX PRINCIPLES FOR BIBLE STUDY
1. Read the Bible itself. “These were more fair-minded . . . in that they received the Word of God” (17:11). What does it mean to “receive” the Scriptures?
a. Go first to Scriptures for Christian insight.
b. Go privately and personally.
c. Go repeatedly.
d. Go with an open heart and mind.
e. Yield your will.
f. Afterwards you can go to teachers, commentaries, Bible study books, etc.
2. Read the Bible diligently. “Received the Word with all readiness” (17:11). What does diligent mean?
a. Focus.
b. No distractions.
c. Unhurried.
d. Expectedly.
e. Hungrily.
f. Reading diligently suggest: (1) get help, i.e., pencil to write, (2) marker to underline, (3) extra versions to compare, (4) paper to write down what you have learned.
3. Read the Bible “word for word.” The phrase “searched the Scriptures” means to isolate each word. “Searched” means to “sift” as a baker sifts flour to separate each grain from another, i.e., “word for word.” How to focus on words:
a. Understand before proceeding.
b. Relate to what you know.
c. Apply.
R. T. Torrey was asked how to study the word. Answer: one word at a time.
What word would I tell you? Thoughtfully.
Also “word for word” suggests reading systematically. Read with a plan. You are not a complete Christian until you read the Bible completely through.
4. Read the entire Bible. The word “Scriptures” is plural for all the Bible:
a. You can never teach or understand one book of the Bible at a time, i.e., compare Scriptures with Scriptures.
b. Epp, founder of Back to the Bible, “I had to read the Bible ten times to understand.”
c. Read the whole Bible to understand God’s whole plan for your whole life.
d. Jesus’ example: “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).
5. Read the Bible daily. “Day after day” (17:11).
a. Never say, “I’ll read the Bible when I have time.” Never will.
b. How to read daily: (1) regular time, (2) regular length, (3) regular place, (4) and regular sequence.
6. Read the Bible with faith. “Whether these things were so.”
a. Measure everything by the Word.
b. To grow your faith: (1) say yes to God, (2) say yes to the Bible, (3) say yes to God’s will for your life, (4) say yes to His plan for your next challenge.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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