Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Paul and Silas had labored with some success in the synagogue at Thessalonica, but unbelieving Jews were dissatisfied and created disturbance and uproar, so fellow believers sent them on and they left under cover of night and came to Berea, where they were gladly welcomed. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with full readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to test whether the apostles' teaching about the promised Messiah was true. That nobility was diligent, earnest, open-minded and independent study to know for themselves what is truth. As the fruit and result of that course, many of them believed, including Greek women of honorable and high standing and a considerable number of men, not a few.
The preaching thus reached people of different social ranks, so that the truth could reach the socially prominent as well as others. The same pattern was seen at Risely, where several women had begun keeping the Sabbath and many men were convinced of the truth. Such diligent searching by those who honestly desire to be right is worthy of commendation, while questioning doubts and obstinate unbelief are not commended. This includes resisting teaching as long as possible until forced by overwhelming evidence, and being slow to receive evidence and neglectful in searching to see if these things are so.
Awakening that diligent searching of the Scriptures in the presentation of truth in the last days will produce similar belief. Those who are the opposite of the Bereans, who cannot controvert the doctrine yet refuse to investigate the evidence, treat truth as a matter of little consequence, and hold old customs and faith as good enough, will be held responsible for how they treat the message of heavenly origin. God will judge all according to the light presented to them.
When hoped-for results from a meeting disappoint, a kind and courteous spirit toward the truth is worthy of mention and a sign that many will yet receive the light of truth. The seed sown may take time to show signs of life, so workers must sow in faith and hope, be patient, believe and wait and watch unto prayer, neglect no part of the work, and be true to principle and valiant for the truth.
Paul and Silas had labored with some success in the synagogue at Thessalonica, but unbelieving Jews were dissatisfied and created disturbance and uproar, so fellow believers sent them on and they left under cover of night and came to Berea, where they were gladly welcomed. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with full readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to test whether the apostles' teaching about the promised Messiah was true. That nobility was diligent, earnest, open-minded and independent study to know for themselves what is truth. As the fruit and result of that course, many of them believed, including Greek women of honorable and high standing and a considerable number of men, not a few.
The preaching thus reached people of different social ranks, so that the truth could reach the socially prominent as well as others. The same pattern was seen at Risely, where several women had begun keeping the Sabbath and many men were convinced of the truth. Such diligent searching by those who honestly desire to be right is worthy of commendation, while questioning doubts and obstinate unbelief are not commended. This includes resisting teaching as long as possible until forced by overwhelming evidence, and being slow to receive evidence and neglectful in searching to see if these things are so.
Awakening that diligent searching of the Scriptures in the presentation of truth in the last days will produce similar belief. Those who are the opposite of the Bereans, who cannot controvert the doctrine yet refuse to investigate the evidence, treat truth as a matter of little consequence, and hold old customs and faith as good enough, will be held responsible for how they treat the message of heavenly origin. God will judge all according to the light presented to them.
When hoped-for results from a meeting disappoint, a kind and courteous spirit toward the truth is worthy of mention and a sign that many will yet receive the light of truth. The seed sown may take time to show signs of life, so workers must sow in faith and hope, be patient, believe and wait and watch unto prayer, neglect no part of the work, and be true to principle and valiant for the truth.