How Open-Minded Should I Be? (Acts 17-18)
Are you filtering truth through God's Word or someone else's opinion? The Bereans tested everything against Scripture, and so should we.
Acts 17-18
Today's Scripture Passage
A Few Thoughts to Consider
Have you ever listened to a sermon or Bible study leader and wondered, How do I know that what this person is saying is right?
In Acts 17, after encountering hostility and being forced to leave Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas traveled to the city of Berea to continue their missionary work. Upon arrival, they went to the local Jewish synagogue to preach. Unlike in Thessalonica, the Berean Jews were described as more open-minded and noble in character.
Acts 17:11-12 says, 11 “The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.”
Notice the two key components of the Bereans’ response. They are eager to increase their understanding of the Word but are just as vigilant to ensure that what Paul is saying is backed up by Scripture. As John Polhill writes, “They did not accept his word uncritically but did their own examination of the Scriptures to see if they really did point to the death and resurrection of the Messiah as Paul claimed.”[1]
Their diligent study and critical examination of the Scriptures set them apart as examples of how believers should engage with God's Word. In contemporary Christianity, being a Berean means not accepting teachings at face value but actively searching the Bible to confirm and understand doctrinal truths. Berean Christians prioritize Scripture as the ultimate authority and are committed to in-depth study to ensure their beliefs align with biblical teachings.
How does this play out practically? Philip Brown says that to be Berean listeners we should be attentive and pay close attention to the details—both what is mentioned and what is omitted—while looking up Scripture references, noting the context, and checking parallel passages. We should ask questions. Does the message make sense linguistically? Does it fit the context? Does it align with what I know about God?
We should also separate text, doctrine, and terminology. Also, Brown says filtering theology involves considering what the Bible says and its necessary implications, what is true about God, humanity, and the world, what Christians have historically taught and believed, and how these truths apply to life in practical ways like parenting, counseling, and preaching—while avoiding the use of personal experiences as a guide to truth.[2]
