Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Gary_Castle Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What was different about Berean | Acts 17:10 | Gary_Castle | 202129 | ||
The church in Berea is mentioned 3 times in the New Testament. Acts 17:10-11 and Acts 20:4. The Apostle Paul stated in Acts 17:10-11 "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Paul often taught in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 17:1-2) about Christ and how that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. What Paul tells us about the church in Berea is that they were different, more noble, because, unlike the group of Jews in Thessalonica, these people actually "searched" the Old Testament writings daily to verify if the things that Paul said daily were true. They were receptive and concerned about their relationship with God and wanted to be sure that the things Paul was saying to them were true. As Jews they were looking forward to the coming Messiah. Had he really come? Was Jesus that Messiah? These were questions they wanted and really needed to have answered for their salvation. It was not uncommon for Jews and even the early disciples to question Jesus as being the true Messiah. Jesus himself taught, after He had risen from the dead, His disciples from Old Testament writings that He had fulfilled all prophecies of the coming Messiah in Luke 24:44-48. Those Jews in Thessalonica did not have a "receptive mind" like those in Berea, meaning they may have had prejudices and "turned off" their ears as Paul taught them on 3 Sabbath days. Are we to be like the Bereans today? John said in 1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. John's Answer: Yes If we cannot get a Book, Chapter and Verse from the New Testament for anything someone teaches or preaches, then John says we need to "try" or search the New Testament scriptures to see if what they teach or preach is so. Paul said in 1Thessalonian 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Paul said "prove" that every word is true and when you know it is true (good), hold to it with all your might, don't let go and live it to the best of your ability. May God bless our understanding and desire to be like the church in Berea. |
||||||
2 | How to explain the purpose of the OT? | Rom 15:4 | Gary_Castle | 202125 | ||
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans he said in Rom 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The only scriptures available to the Romans at the time of Paul's writting were the Old testament writtings. Paul states that these Old Testament scriptures were written for our learning or education. The Old testament prophecies of a coming Messiah and is filled with hope for the Isrealites and us to look forward to and appreciate Christ's coming. Today the Old Testament scriptures are like a large road sign posted on our highway of life directing us to Christ. Christ came, suffered, bled, died and raised from the dead and absolutely fulfilled all Old Testament prophecies of the then coming Messiah. That same Paul who knew the Old Testament scriptures well (Act 22:3) said in Colossians 2:8-14 that Christ took the Old Testament law out of the way and nailed that Old Law to his cross. In Ephesians 2:14-15 Paul said Christ abolished "even the law of commandments contained in ordinances (Old Law) for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. In our current dispensation of time, we find our route to salvation in the New Testament scriptures. We learn from the Old Testament scriptures and gain strength and hope when we understand and realize that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every single prophecy written therein. May God bless our hope and understanding. | ||||||