JOINING THE RANKS OF NOBILITY
Acts 17:10-12 NKJV
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
If you have ever wanted to be part of the nobility, here is your chance. I am not speaking of the aristocracy or being born to a high-ranking society. I am referring to joining the ranks of Biblical nobility. The qualifications are found in our verses for today.
Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica due to persecution from the Jews and a group of evil men. Paul and Silas dealt with problems everywhere they went. When they would preach in the synagogues of the Jews, there were always some who believed and followed them. Then the Jews would get mad and stir up the Gentiles. Paul and Silas caught flak from both sides. It would be like having the Democrats and Republicans against you. Or worse. The people Paul and Silas dealt with wouldn’t talk you to death; they would attempt to put you to death.
Paul and Silas went to the synagogue in the city of Berea. These Jews were more fair-minded than those of Thessalonica. The word for fair-minded is more literally translated as noble. They were considered noble people because they received the word preached with readiness of mind. Not skepticism of mind, but readiness, meaning eagerness, receptivity. These guys were looking to believe the word Paul preached, not look for holes in his theology. And they searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul was preaching withstood the scrutiny of Scripture. And because of this noble mentality, many believed in the gospel.
APPLICATION
Biblical nobility is about our attitude toward the Scriptures. Are we looking to receive from God’s Word? Or are we looking to shoot holes in what God’s Word declares? The Jews in Berea were not suffering from confirmation bias. In other words, they were not seeking to confirm what they already believed. Instead, they were open to hearing what Paul was preaching and then determining its truth by comparing it with other scriptures. This is saying quite a lot. A readiness of mind to hear God’s Word, even if it contradicts your current beliefs, is a noble thing from Heaven’s perspective.
Openness and eagerness to receive God’s Word, coupled with the integrity to confirm God’s Word by God’s Word, is still a noble thing with God. Those who practice this are the ones who position themselves to receive from God. It worked well for Berea, and it is still working well today.
PRAYER
Lord, I am open to receiving from Your Word even if it contradicts my current beliefs. Help me discover the truth and be counted as one of the nobility in Your sight.