The Berean Call
Acts 17:11
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true
In Acts 17:11, we see that the Bereans were praised because they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Even though Paul was an apostle, the Bereans did not simply accept his teaching without question. Instead, they carefully compared everything he taught with the Word of God. This shows us that no matter who is speaking — whether a pastor, teacher, or leader — their words should always be tested against Scripture.
This means that if someone’s teaching does not align with the Bible, it should not be accepted. While we should be gracious toward people who make honest mistakes, we must be very careful about following anyone whose teaching consistently contradicts the Word of God. The Berean example teaches us that Scripture, not any human leader, must be our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
This approach is known as the Berean example, drawn from Acts 17:11. When the Bereans examined the Scriptures to verify Paul’s teaching, they were referring to the Old Testament, as the New Testament had not yet been written. At that time, the Scriptures did not exist in the form of portable books as they do today. Instead, the Old Testament was preserved on large scrolls that were primarily kept and read within the synagogues. Because the scrolls were not widely available for personal use, both Paul and the Bereans would have accessed them at the synagogue.
The Bereans diligently compared Paul’s message with the Old Testament to determine whether his teaching about Jesus aligned with its prophecies concerning the Messiah and the coming Savior. Had Paul’s teaching contradicted the Scriptures, the Bereans would have rejected it, as they regarded the Old Testament as the authoritative Word of God.
When the Bible instructs believers to hold everything up to the knowledge of God and His Word, it emphasizes the importance of testing all teachings and ideas against Scripture. As John 1:1 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” revealing that Jesus Christ is the living Word. Because of this, Paul instructs believers in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Similarly, Scripture commands us to actively test what we hear. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Test everything; hold on to what is good,” while the apostle John warns in 1 John 4:1, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Together, these passages make it clear that believers are responsible for examining all teachings, thoughts, and spiritual claims against the Word of God to ensure they align with the truth revealed in Christ.
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and waddles like a duck, it could still be a wolf. Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” The apostle Paul also cautioned the church in Acts 20:29-30, saying, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.” Because of this very real danger, it is wise to test every message you hear — including what your pastor teaches — against the Word of God. This requires spending more time in the Scriptures than simply attending church services or Bible studies, and spending more time in prayer than in constant conversation with others. At the same time, this does not mean we should approach every relationship, friendship, or church with suspicion or a critical spirit. God has called us to fellowship, to love one another, to forgive, and to gently correct each other when needed.
However, a person who refuses to be corrected or taught becomes unteachable. As Proverbs 9:8-9 says, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise, and they will love you.” God is not looking for people who are hard and resistant like stone, but for those who are willing to be shaped. As Jeremiah 18:6 reminds us, “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand.” God seeks willing and moldable hearts — hearts that are soft and responsive to His Word and His correction.
The message I want to communicate is twofold. First, believers must learn to test everything against the Word of God — not only what a person teaches, but also how they live. It is wise to pay attention when there is a noticeable disconnect between someone’s public message and their private life. For example, if a person preaches about following Jesus on Sunday but consistently neglects their spouse or family during the week, or if they speak about biblical truth one day and engage in betrayal or deception the next, these patterns should give us reason to proceed with caution. While everyone makes mistakes, there is a clear difference between occasional failure and a consistent lifestyle. The truth of a person’s teaching is often revealed in their daily habits and character.
Second, when we see something in ourselves or in another person that needs to be addressed, we should be willing to speak about it with grace and humility. At the same time, we must recognize that some individuals are unwilling to receive correction. In such cases, it is important to know when to step back. Continuing to invest in someone who consistently refuses to be taught or corrected can become spiritually draining and unproductive. In those situations, it is often best to release the matter to God, guard your own heart, and move forward in obedience to what He has called you to do.
Do not become like those who refuse to be corrected. Instead, commit yourself to studying the Scriptures and allowing them to shape and mold you. As you grow in the Word, encourage others to do the same. Together, we can build a stronger, wiser, and more spiritually healthy church. Together, we can advance the Kingdom of God and live faithfully as we have been called to do.
