September 17
Bible Reading: Acts 17:10-15
Acts 17:11, “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.”
My good friend was struggling to understand a difficult passage in the Bible, so he asked his pastor about it. The pastor’s response surprised him; instead of offering his own opinion, the pastor told my friend that it would be more beneficial if he searched the Scriptures for himself to gain an understanding. That encounter has since worked to bear much fruit, for in the many years since, he has built a well-founded understanding of the Scriptures, which is clear in his ability to teach and his extensive Bible knowledge. There’s a difference between knowing what we know because some human has told us and knowing what we know because the Spirit has taught us through the Word!
The Jews in Berea were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they heard eagerly and examined carefully. To be a “Berean” is to follow in their example, just as 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 encouraged us to do: “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” We are exhorted to “test everything,” by passing it through a “but what does the Bible say?” filter. That’s what the Bereans did! They listened attentively to what the Apostles were saying, but then they measured what they said against the standard of the Scriptures.
Those folks did not possess any Bible study tools like us, but they had, in the “analogy of Scripture,” a principle that we all have if we own a Bible. Put simply, the principle states that the Scriptures are the best interpreter of the Scriptures. Since all Scripture is inspired, all parts of the Bible are equally inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). Scripture doesn’t contradict itself, and that reality can help in the study of the Bible. Most Bibles cite cross references alongside the Bible text. It’s good practice to look those up, comparing Scripture against Scripture in gaining an accurate understanding. The key is to guard the treasure of a heart that longs for truth (1 Peter 2:2).
A more noble response to the Scriptures is to hear eagerly and examine carefully.
SPEAK, O LORD
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory
Teach us, Lord, full obedience
Holy reverence, true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of pow’r that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace, we’ll stand on Your promises
And by faith, we’ll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, ‘til Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory
Songwriters: Keith Getty / Stuart Townend
Speak, O Lord lyrics © Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd.
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