Paul came to the little city of Berea­ on his second missionary tour. His illustrious missionary team consisted of trusted men as Silas, Luke and Timothy. While still in Asia Minor, Paul had seen the vision at Troas of a man of Macedonia, saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." Paul and his company immediately sailed for Philippi, located in the northeast corner of Greece. For the first time the gospel was preached on European soil, and a congregation of the Lord's church was established there. Lydia and her household were converted, along with the Philippian jailer and his family. They met with persecution, causing them to leave that city and go on to Thessalonia, about 100 miles west. This was the largest city of Macedonia. They traveled along on a Roman highway, the ruins of which can still be seen. They were there only for a short while but were successful in making a great number of converts. Again, they experienced opposition, and the situation soon became ugly. Their enemies attacked the house of Jason where they were staying, but did not find them. However, they brought Jason before the rulers of the city accusing Paul of "turning the world upside down", and condemning Jason for harboring criminals. There was more truth in that accusation than they realized. The situation became dangerous, not only for Paul and his company, but for their friends as well. So, Luke tells us that the "brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea" (Acts 17:10). They had to flee for their lives. They went to Berea.

Not much is said in the Bible about Berea. It is now the modern city of Verria in southern Macedonia and is about 50 miles from Thessalonica. You might have expected Paul and Silas to "lay low" for a while. You might have even expected them to abandon their missionary tour and go home. Probably no one would have blamed them if they had. Their lives were in danger. Everywhere they went they met with serious Jewish opposition. But, they were courageous men. They were dedicated. They were committed. They had a message to deliver. They could not remain silent. So, when they arrived, they immediately went into the synagogue of the Jews and preached the Word. They didn't know what to expect from the people. They didn't know how they would be received. Maybe they would be killed or beaten and run out of town again. They didn't know. They only knew they had a mission to accomplish. They preached Christ to the Jews in the synagogue in Berea as they had done in other places. And what happened? It was a surprise. Let Luke tell us: "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."

What a great compliment! These people were described as "noble." Noble means "possessing excellent qualities ... characterized by ... superiority of mind or character; magnanimous; lofty." Why noble? Because they showed fairness. They were willing to consider all that Paul had to say. They even searched the scriptures to see if these things were true. What wonderful people! Those noble Bereans!

That is the kind of people that all of us should try to emulate. Have an open mind. Listen, consider and investigate. Don't accept just anything you hear a preacher say. Investigate. See for yourself what the Bible teaches. "Search the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." That's what I always ask people to do who hear me preach. Don't accept what I say just because it is I who say it. I may be wrong. I may be mistaken. I don't believe I am, but search the scriptures for yourself. If it is not there, reject what I preach, but if it is there, accept it as truth. Be noble like the Bereans.