The Noble Bereans

In the seventeenth chapter of the book of Acts, we read of the apostle Paul’s work in the Grecian city of Thessalonica. As was Paul’s usual pattern upon arriving in a Gentile city, he went first to the Jewish synagogue and attempted to teach the gospel to the Jews.  There he “reasoned with them (the Jews) out of the scriptures… (the Jewish scriptures) Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ…”  (Acts 17:2-3). Paul was unable to convert many Jews there because of a certain element, within the synagogue, that refused to hear and understand the gospel and subsequently stirred up trouble causing Paul to flee that city.

Next we read how Paul went to Berea, some fifty miles to the southwest of Thessalonica, and entered the synagogue there (verse 10). Unlike Thessalonica, here he found a ready audience, one that was willing to listen and was open to the gospel. Why were the Bereans more open to the Gospel than the Thessalonians? The Bible says, “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).

Luke records, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the Bereans were more noble. The word “noble” here literally refers to those who were of the highest social order – the nobility. However, in Acts 17:11 it is used figuratively. They had a noble character, an open and ready mindset. They were like the “good ground” in Jesus’ “Parable of the Soils” in Luke 8:4-15. Verse 15 of that passage says, “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Their hearts were honest and good. Therefore, they received the Word with readiness of mind. That they “received” the gospel meant they listened to it. That they received it with “readiness of mind” meant that they were willing, even eager to accept it. They were open enough to the gospel that they would, at the very least, withhold judgment on it until they could give it a careful and thorough examination.

How did they go about examining it? They SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES to see if Paul’s teachings were correct. Jesus challenged certain men to “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39). Paul had been preaching the Gospel from the Old Testament scriptures. The Bereans studied the scriptures every day to verify he was teaching the TRUTH even as the Law of Moses demanded in Deuteronomy 18:22. The result of this noble searching of the scriptures was that “many of them (the Jews) believed…” (Acts.17:12). (Compare this with Acts 17:4 “some (few) of them believed…”).

What is the application for us today? We should all be like the Bereans in at least two ways. One, let us each have a “noble” mind; one that is willing to heed the Gospel and to change our lives to conform with it’s teaching. Two, let us like the Bereans, search the scriptures daily! (2 Timothy 2:15). In doing so, we will not be fooled by those who come preaching a perverted gospel (Galatians 1:6-7). I challenge you therefore, like the apostle John said in 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” In other words, any time some one claims to  preach the gospel, do not listen to his words unless they can be supported by God’s All Authoritative Word with a “thus saith the Lord!”

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A Convenient Time

“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” (Acts 24:24 – 25) [NKJV]

In Acts 24:24 – 25, we read of Paul’s bold message to Felix, governor of the Roman province of Judea, and his wife Drusilla. Paul, having been accused by the Jews in Jerusalem of causing problems and encouraging strife among the people, was arrested by the Roman authorities and eventually imprisoned by them in the provincial capital of Caesarea. While awaiting trial for these false charges, Paul used every opportunity to teach and preach the gospel to whoever would hear. On this particular occasion, Felix decided to hear Paul speak. As was his character, Paul used this opportunity to preach a strong, scriptural sermon to the governor and his wife.

His message was evidently effective, for it caused Felix to be fearful and apprehensive. It says in v. 25 that Felix became “afraid.” (KJV: It says he “trembled.”)

Paul’s strong, pointed gospel message struck a chord in the heart of the governor. This ruler apparently stood convicted of his past sinful actions and was now contemplating what he must do about them. Would he accept the challenge and change his life by following the teachings of the gospel or would he just ignore the obvious truth and choose to do nothing?

In v. 25 of the text, we can see that, sadly, he chose to take the latter course – the “path of least resistance.” He responds to Paul’s message by telling him to: “‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” Felix decided that it was too hard to change, too difficult to commit his life to Christ. He made the decision that many of us do – he wanted what was “convenient” for him. This same word as used in v. 25 is translated from the Greek word Kairos which means: “an occasion, i.e. set or proper time: …opportunity, (convenient, due) season.”(1) The dictionary defines “convenient” as: “easy to do, use, or get to; handy.”(2) When we want what is “convenient”, we want what is easy.

Convenience usually involves something that offers little chance of challenge, struggle, or sacrifice.

Yet, Christianity is not convenient! It is not easy! It was never meant to be something that is, as some people say: “Easy come, easy go.” It requires that we commit everything – our whole self – to serving God. Jesus explains this well in Luke 14:33; “…whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Let us not do what is convenient, rather let us do what is right in the sight of God! When we do what we think is right, easy, and convenient in our own sight that only leads to other problems and ultimately to eternal condemnation, “…the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). True, being a Christian, at times, can be very difficult and challenging. It can be a daily struggle! However, we are promised strength for the journey (Isaiah 40:31) and at the end of our life, a great reward. If we stay faithful to the end, we will, as our Savior says in Matthew 19:29, “…inherit eternal life.”

Erik Smith

(1) James Strong, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The Greek Testament, in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1990), 39. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

(2) Michael Agnes, ed., Webster’s New Dictionary (Cleveland, Ohio: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2003), 146.

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Modesty? Summer Shorts?

Do Those Shorts Hurt?

I get it… summer is in full swing and it’s HOT outside! However, the temperature outside does not give anyone the sanction to undress and walk around in public in an immodest and nauseating display of “fashion.” But here is what I don’t get; a few weeks ago my family and I went to the mall on Sunday afternoon to buy some golf shirts for Father’s Day when we saw a mother and her children walk past us and her daughter (who couldn’t have been more than 14) was wearing a pair of jean shorts that were so short and tight that her thighs were bulging out from underneath. I looked at my wife and asked, “Do those shorts hurt?”

How unfortunate that men (young and old) are subjected to such indecency simply for the sake of “comfort.” How sad it is that we have gone from the shame of nakedness in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:25) to no shame at all. At camp this summer the elders at Rolling Hills said that the dress code was to be strictly enforced. And it was! If we don’t do this ourselves the same thing that will (and in many cases has) happen in our homes and in the church.

The Bible still says that women are to “adorn themselves in modest apparel” (1 Timothy 2:9). Exodus 28:42 gives us a good indication of what that means: “from the waist to the thighs.” To do otherwise is to be brought to shame in the eyes of those who see your immodesty (Exodus 32:25). The idea that one can dress in an immodest manner and is not responsible if another looks on you to lust is ridiculous! If you cause someone to sin, you sin! If you dress modestly and someone looks upon you to lust after you then your hands are clean.

Now that being said, I want to say a few things from a man’s perspective because 1) I don’t want you to dress in such a way as to cause me to sin, and 2) I don’t want you to sin, knowingly or unknowingly.

  1. If the top shows your cleavage, or is so tight that little to nothing is left to an evil imagination… it is immodest!
  2. If the material is so shear that the color or pattern of your underwear is clearly identifiable… it is immodest!
  3. If the apparel is so tight that you have trouble breathing or is squeezing you to death… it is immodest!
  4. Bikinis, midriff shirts, miniskirts, and yoga pants are immodest! If you don’t understand why ask your husband or father!

The fact is no one has to be both immodest and uncomfortable just because it is hot outside. If we truly love God and want to please Him we will put what He wants above what we want. No matter how hot it is outside hell will be much hotter and there will be no relief! Dress to impress God and be faithful.

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Who Should Teach the Bible?

It is an acceptable concept that preachers and special educated people should teach the Bible in our world today. If a person desires to teach the Bible he will first consider going to a school that grants Biblical degrees or  he will seek an online theological school that offers degrees in Bible so that  he will be accepted as a credited and qualified teacher, preacher, theologian.   Now, I do not reject the concept of advanced education in any of the previously mentioned type of advanced schools; my problem is that I do not find anywhere in  the Bible that God established an ecclesiastical standard for teachers of the  Bible. That there are no such standards is exemplified by the fact that throughout the whole of the 66 Books of the Bible {i.e. Genesis to Revelation}  God’s teachers, prophets, and chosen leaders were of all types of people from  all walks of life; they were farmers, herdsmen, kings, fishermen, tax collectors, and educated persons [i.e. Saul ? Paul].

There is no indication that God requires that teachers of the Bible have some advanced, accredited degree from a theological school or a graduate study in Bible. So far as is known the writers of the New Testament was fisherman, physicians, a tax collector, and Paul a converted Pharisee; God did not select leaders based on their educational qualifications.  Let me say here; there is no reason to qualify or disqualify a teacher predicated upon the amount of or lack of advanced biblical degrees from an institute of higher learning. Whether a brother in Christ possesses an advanced degree in Bible or not is not the important consideration for the Bible teacher.  The very first quality that a Bible teacher should possess is; that he/she is a Christian. Other important considerations for a Bible teacher is, does he know  the Bible, is he familiar with the concept of interpretation, and the nature and  extent of revelation from God? These and similar qualities are the qualities that enable a person to teach the Bible. Also along this line of reason we must recognize that the teacher ought to know their place in the scheme of God’s plans.

The teacher is not a boss {i.e. the Pope, the Pastor, or His Most Excellent Father, His most worshipful Master, etc.} but he is simply a teacher of the Bible with a task greater than any other and more beneficial to mankind than any occupation he/she may undertake (2 Timothy 4:1-5). It is noteworthy to observe the qualifications of an elder in the church of Christ; he is to be able to teach in such a manner that he can convince the person who is difficult of understanding (Titus 1:9). Indeed, a good Bible teacher must plan, study, and pray about their work of teaching the Bible. Paul the apostle encourages all to be consistent in  teaching; For this cause have I sent  unto you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall  put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, even as I teach  everywhere in every church. {ASV} (1 Corinthians 4:17). The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy in the two letters he wrote to him about how to excel as a Bible teacher. Please observe some of the instruction that Paul gave to Timothy:

*   1 Tim. 1:3 – As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

*   1 Tim. 2:12 – But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. ASV

*   1 Tim. 4:11-16 – 11 these things command and teach. 12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in  word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all. 16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shall save both thyself and them that hear thee. ASV

*   1 Tim. 6:1-2 – 1 Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort. ASV

*   2 Tim. 2:2-4 – 2 and the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardships with (me), as a good soldier of Christ Jesus 4 No soldier  on service entangles himself in the affairs of (this) life; that he may please  him who enrolled him as soldier.

*   2 Tim. 2:24-26 – 24 And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, 25 in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will. ASV

*   Also, to the Hebrew Christians Paul wrote concerning the need for teachers to mature and not to become unfruitful (i.e. See also 2 Peter 3:18). Hebrews 5:12-6:1, 12 –For  when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some  one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and  are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For every one that partakes of milk are without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14 but solid food is for full-grown men, (even) those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. Hebrews 6:1 – wherefore leaving the doctrine of the  first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a  foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  ASV

CONCLUSION: Therefore, let us proceed to always speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where it is silent. Let us also seek purity of mind and doctrine as we undertake to teach the Bible to others wherever we may be privileged to do so. We must take care to present not only sound teaching but present ourselves  as pure, humble, and dedicated servants of the Most High God (i.e. The One True  God.)

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Destroy the Body?

Don’t Y’all Destroy the Body

Sometimes, the old King James Version is the clearest translation to see the message God gave. We no longer use the word “ye” as the plural of “you,” but they did in the days of King James. The modern usage of the word “you” makes it impossible for us to see if the word is singular or plural. People from the southern states have sought to solve this problem to express the plural of “you” as “y’all.” I have even heard Southerners emphasize this more by saying, “Y’all all are invited.”

One place where the KJV uses “ye” is in Paul’s letter to Corinth. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Some wrongly use these verses to “prove” that because our bodies are the temples of God, we must take care of them. They want to show that it is a sin to abuse the body with drugs, drinking and overeating for they destroy our bodies. However, to use this verse to “prove” that point is to distort what God said.

The passage does not discuss our bodies (plural) or our temples (plural). It says, “Ye are the temple of God.” The word “ye” is plural and the word temple is singular, thus all of us together form the singular temple of God, the church. When Paul speaks about destroying the temple, he is not speaking of destroying our bodies (plural) but His body (singular). The problem at Corinth was not that the Christians were abusing their physical body, but His spiritual one.

How does one destroy His body? Obviously, one problem at Corinth was religious division caused by “preacheritis.” Instead of exalting Christ, they began to exalt men (I am of Paul, Apollos or Cephas). The church was fractured because some honored some men, while some exalted others.

The temple was being destroyed by selfishness and self-love so that some had such little respect for brethren that they were suing their brethren in the civil court.  Such attitudes divide the body.

Today, others splinter the body to gain notoriety and fame. Others do it to gain a following. While others seek to force their unique beliefs on all members. Then, there are those who destroy the unity of the church by showing partiality, especially to their friends or their family members.

Look at the consequences of all who selfishly destroy the unity of the church. “Him shall God destroy.” To understand Paul’s use of “ye” in this passage shows the importance of the unity of the body. The body is His and not ours to be used for our own selfish purposes. Exalt and unify His body!

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