Daily Devotional Thursday 14th May 2020
by William MoodyActs 17:10–15
Paul and Silas in Berea
10 The brothers1 immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
Footnotes
[1] 17:10
Or brothers and sisters; also verse 14 (ESV)
There is time for wise retreats (v10). Paul did this not just for himself but for the sake of the believers and the gospel in Thessalonica. In sharing the gospel there is a time to press on, but there are also times to step back.
In Berea Paul meets a nobler people (v11). The Bereans were enthusiastic about this message, but they were not going to be carried away by just enthusiasm, they carefully examined the Bible to see what these men said added up.
What do you do when you hear something different that is taught, or something that you do not like? Some people are naïve and just swallow anything new. Some people are very sceptical and accept nothing new. We shouldn’t just accept or just reject what we hear. It is the duty of every person to carefully examine what the Bible teaches in order to see what is true. Pray for a wise and teachable spirit.
In Berea opposition is stirred by the arrival of some Thessalonians (v13). We sadly see here how persistent opposition to the Gospel can be. The devil does not give up easily, we must be ready for this and be strong in Christ.
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