Acts 17:10-15 And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.… I. THE DEPORTMENT OF THESE NOBLE BEREANS. They manifested — 1. A laudable spirit of inquiry in reference to the truths of religion. All inquiry is not laudable; we may be busybodies in other men's matters, but inquiry is laudable here. Human investigation is extended to every other subject; why should it be excluded from this? 2. A peculiar deference to the authority of the sacred writings; they were convinced of the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and it was in them they expected to find the principles of true religion. 3. A candid and ingenuous temper: "readiness of mind." They did not examine the Scriptures for the purpose of finding objections against the doctrines of the apostles, or to establish their own previous opinions, but for the purpose of ascertaining "whether those things were so." II. THE REASONS WE SHOULD IMITATE THIS NOBLE DEPORTMENT. 1. We are endowed with powers and capabilities of engaging in this important investigation. 2. The Scriptures are addressed to all men; all men are commanded to read and examine them. "Search the Scriptures," said our Lord. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly," said the apostle. 3. All men are deeply concerned in the important truths which the Scriptures contain — as men, as sinners, as inhabitants of this world, as heirs of immortality. III. THE ADVANTAGES WHICH WILL RESULT FROM AN IMITATION OF THIS NOBLE DEPORTMENT. 1. We shall obtain accurate information respecting the doctrines of revealed truth. 2. We shall derive strong consolation under the difficulties and afflictions of life. 3. We shall receive ample instruction as to the performance of all personal, social, and religious duties. If you ask in what way should we examine the sacred writings, in order that we may obtain these advantages, I reply, examine them with impartiality, with humility, with self-application, and with prayer. It is greatly to be regretted that any portion of the Christian Church should ever have interdicted the use of the Holy Scriptures, and for this purpose have prohibited their translation into the vernacular tongue. But we have not so learned Christ. Go, imitate the example of the noble Bereans — search the Scriptures. (G. Collinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. |
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