Berea

The (Thessalonian) brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17:10-15

Paul and Silas, and the others with them, were abetted in their fleeing Thessalonica by the Christian brothers whom they had seen converted by God. Paul and his entourage go to Berea, moving further north into Europe. Luke tell us that there was a synagogue there also, but the Jews there were “more noble than those in Thessalonica.” Paul preached the gospel as he had done in other places and, the Bereans received the gospel eagerly but they also searched the Scriptures to see if Paul was telling the truth. As a result, many Jews and a lot of Greeks were converted by God to Christianity. But, Satan was not far behind them and, soon, rabble rousers from Thessalonica came to Berea stirring up trouble there. So, some Berean brothers accompanied Paul away but they asked Silas and Timothy to remain in Berea. When the group with Paul arrived in Athens, Paul dispatched the Berean brothers back to Berea with the command to have Silas and Timothy to come to him there in Athens as soon as possible. The Holy Spirit, through the pen of Luke, the physician, is showing that, among the Jews, there were those who sought to verify what they heard from Paul in the Scriptures they already were familiar with. Christians, today, must take note for there are many deceivers in the earthly church today. Not knowing what the Scriptures say about our Savior and Lord Jesus may result in deadly consequences. God will hold these evil teachers and preachers accountable. But, He also will hold those who follow the evil ones accountable for not knowing of their deceptions. Satan is a liar and a murderer and he will do whatever it takes to add to his account those destined for the fires of Hell. Christians, beware of the lies of the devil and his demons! He would like nothing more than to have people reject the salvation so freely offered by our Loving God.

Source: S C Ball July 18, 2023