Verse of the Day

Monday, August 25, 2014

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Example of the Bereans as Searchers of the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-15)

 The Example of the Bereans as Searchers of the Scriptures
Acts 17:10-15


10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11  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. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Introduction:

Wherever Paul and his mission team went there was excitement. Frequently there was trouble as opposition, persecution, and governmental authorities are involved. Every town and city was different, however, and what stands out from the pattern in the historical narrative in Acts are the exceptions to the norm. Those exceptions are most notable in this chapter - here in Berea in these verses, and later in Athens, where Paul travels next.

Outline:

I. The Noble Reception of the Word of God (17:10-12)
II. The Opposition to the Preaching of the Word of God (17:13)
III. The Division of the Mission Team Bearing the Word of God (17:14-15)

Transition:  One way, and perhaps the best way of approaching this episode, is by first taking a “bird’s eye view”, and then zooming in to perch on one verse that stands out as remarkable.

I. The Noble Reception of the Word of God (17:10-12)

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: [1] who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11  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. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

1. The Nature of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:11)
2. The Result of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:12)

Verse 10 sets the stage in the next city as Paul continues his habitual practice.

1. The Nature of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:11)

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.

Let us leave this for the moment while we continue our “bird’s eye view”. We will return to “zoom in”, and perch on this verse before we are done our consideration of this passage of Scripture!

2. The Result of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:12)

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

1) Many Jews believed
2) Many Gentile women and men believed

1) Many Jews believed

Therefore many of them believed

2) Many Gentile women and men believed

also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17)

II. The Opposition to the Preaching of the Word of God (17:13)

 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

1. The News of Paul Preaching the Word in Berea Reaches Thessalonica
2. The Pursuit of Paul by “The Hounds of Hell” from Thessalonica
3. The Propaganda against Paul by the Anti-Christ Party from Thessalonica

1. The News of Paul Preaching the Word in Berea Reaches Thessalonica

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea

Word spreads fast even on foot and by word of mouth over a distance of apx. 50 miles.

2. The Pursuit of Paul by “The Hounds of Hell” [2] from Thessalonica

they came thither also

They can’t leave it alone!

3. The Propaganda against Paul by the Anti-Christ Party from Thessalonica

and stirred up the people

They can’t do it alone here anymore than they did in Thessalonica!

III. The Division of the Mission Team Bearing the Word of God (17:14-15)

 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

1. Paul is shipped out (17:14a)
2. Silas and Timothy remain in Berea (17:14b)
3. Paul is taken to Athens (17:15a)
4. The Brethren return from Athens to Berea with a message for Silas and Timothy (17:15b)

1. Paul is shipped out (17:14a)

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea

2. Silas and Timothy remain in Berea (17:14b)

but Silas and Timotheus abode there still

3. Paul is taken to Athens (17:15a)

And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens

4. The Brethren return from Athens to Berea with a message for Silas and Timothy (17:15b)

and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed

*********************************************************************************

Now let us back up and “zoom in” on verse 11. Let’s perch there for a few minutes!

The Nature of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:11)

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.

Why were they more noble than those in Thessalonica?

There is an intentional contrast in these words!

Some would translate “noble” as “open-minded” (HCSB and NLT). [3] Nobility has fallen on hard times in our day, and open-mindedness is quite in favor. This is not a good thing! The minds of most are open to anything these days, and such “open-mindedness” is a far cry from the mind-set of these Bereans hearing Paul in the synagogue during these weeks! God did not call many of the nobility according to the flesh (1 Cor. 1:26), but the noble characteristic exemplified here is a spiritual necessity for all who are truly called by God (1 Cor. 1:18-31).

Consider some parallels as negative examples in the words of Christ in the Gospels:

John 5:38-44 - 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Luke 16:27-31 - 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

1) The Reception of the Word with Total Mental Readiness
2) The Proof of the Preaching by the Examination of the Word

1) The Reception of the Word with Total Mental Readiness

they received the word with all readiness of mind

Primary Parable: Mt. 13:1-23 - 1  The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Prime Examples: 1 Th. 1 - 1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

2) The Proof of the Preaching by the Examination of the Word

(1) The Reason for their Scripture Searching
(2) The Nature of their Scripture Searching
(3) The Goal of their Scripture Searching

(1) The Reason for their Scripture Searching

cp. vs. 13 - the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea

cp. vv. 2-3 - …reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

"If anything invites the understanding of man to be searching and prying, the depths of the gospel will do it." - Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680)

"No other Word ever was used as the means of bringing men to know the true God but the Scriptures. Where the Scriptures have come there has been light: all the rest of the world has remained in darkness." - Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

(2) The Nature of their Scripture Searching

and searched the scriptures daily

"Christ, the Scripture, your own hearts, and Satan’s devices, are the four prime things that should be first and most studied and searched." - Thomas Brooks (1608-1680)

(i) How didn't they do this?
(ii) How did they do this?
(iii) When should we do this?
(iv) What is different for us when we do this?

(i) How didn't they do this?

They could not do a Google search engine!
They did not have Logos or other software tools!
This was not a “fast food” Bible study!
They did not do this by proof texting, or some “grasshopper hermeneutic” as the cults do!

(ii) How did they do this?

They did this the hard way! They had scrolls without chapter and verse divisions.
They did this the long way! They did this every day.
They did this the right way! They examined passages in context, and compared Scripture with Scripture, allowing the Scriptures to interpret themselves as God’s Word.
They followed the pattern of the prophets themselves who went before:

1 Peter 1:10-13 - 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(iii) When should we do this?

We might better ask, “When shouldn't we do be doing this?”

"Some men seem to devote most of their energies to the task of seeing just how little of Christian truth they can get along with. We, however, regard it as a perilous business; we prefer, instead of seeing how little of Christian truth we can get along with, to see just how much of Christian truth we can obtain.
We ought to search the Scriptures reverently and thoughtfully and pray God that He may lead us into an ever fuller understanding of the truth that can make us wise unto salvation."
- J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937)

(iv) What is different for us when we do this?

We are exposed to many more sources purporting to be proclaiming “truth” than the Bereans were.

We have a significant increase in the amount of Scripture that we must search in following the noble example of the Bereans than they did.

“The child of God is obligated to bring the Scriptures to bear on all that we read and hear, and always to view reality through the “spectacles of Scripture” - John Calvin (1509-1564). [4]

(3) The Goal of their Scripture Searching

whether those things were so

Did you notice that this is not the other way around?
They did not search the Scriptures to see whether they were true or not.
The ivory tower world of modern falsely so-called scholarship has had it the wrong way around for far too long. They insist on searching the Scriptures to see whether the Scriptures are true or not. When you start with unbelief, and do not receive the Word of God as the Word of God, then you will end where you began. If you insist on not receiving the Scriptures as the Word of Almighty God, then you have not basis for truth, and no starting point to assess them or anything else as true or not. You are not just without hope and without Christ in the world. You are without knowledge and wisdom and stand before God the Judge of all as a fool.

1 Cor. 2:14 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Q. 5. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God? [5]
A. The Bible evidences itself to be Gods Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, its power to convert sinners and to edify saints; but the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God.

1 Th. 5:21 - Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

If you are listening to a preacher, or preachers plural, and you are not doing this, then you are wrong! If you are reading uninspired literature, and you are not doing this, then you are wrong!

Why? Are you gullible? Are you accepting the word of uninspired teachers as true without bringing it to the test of truth, the touchstone of the Word of Almighty God? Are you taking someone else’s word for it without checking it out? Does “so and so says so” make it so, when it is not found substantiated in Scripture?

"Above all, as long as we live, let us habitually look forward to the great day of judgment. Let us think of the solemn account which every one of us will have to give in that day before the judgment-seat of Christ. We shall not be judged by Churches. We shall not be judged by whole congregations. We shall be judged individually, each by himself. What shall it profit us in that day to say, “Lord, Lord, I believed everything the Church told me. I received and believed everything ordained ministers set before me. I thought that whatever the Church and the ministers said must be right”? What shall it profit us to say this, if we have held some deadly error? Surely, the voice of Him that sits upon the throne will reply, “You had the Scriptures. You had a book, plain and easy to him that will read it and search it in a child-like spirit. Why did you not use the Word of God when it was given to you? You had a reasonable soul given you to understand that Bible. Why did you not ‘Prove all things,’ and thus keep clear of error?” If we refuse to exercise our private judgment, let us think of that awful day, and beware." 
- J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), Knots Untied

1 Jn. 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.

Conclusion:

"Let us mark lastly, the manner in which our Lord resisted Satan's temptations. Three times we see Him foiling and baffling the great enemy who assaulted Him. He does not yield a hair's breadth to him. He does not give him a moment's advantage. Three times we see Him using the same weapon, in reply to his temptations--"the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephes. 6:17.) He who was "full of the Holy Spirit," was yet not ashamed to make the Holy Scripture His weapon of defense, and His rule of action.
Let us learn from this single fact, if we learn nothing else from this wondrous history, the high authority of the Bible, and the immense value of a knowledge of its contents. Let us read it, search into it, pray over it, diligently, perseveringly, unweariedly. Let us strive to be so thoroughly acquainted with its pages, that its text may abide in our memories, and stand ready at our right hand in the day of need. Let us be able to appeal from every perversion and false interpretation of its meaning, to those thousand plain passages, which are written as it were with a sunbeam. The Bible is indeed a sword, but we must take heed that we know it well, if we would use it with effect."
-  J. C. Ryle (1816-1900), Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. 2: Luke 1-10 (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, n.d.; 1990 reprint of 1856 original); also published as Expository Thoughts on Luke, Vol. 1 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1997, 1986), pp. 111-112, s.v. Luke 4:1-13; on Grace Gems at http://gracegems.org/Ryle/l04.htm [accessed 9 JUN 2012].

Complete outline:

I. The Noble Reception of the Word of God (17:10-12)

1. The Nature of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:11)

1) The Reception of the Word with Total Mental Readiness
2) The Proof of the Preaching by the Examination of the Word

(1) The Reason for their Scripture Searching
(2) The Nature of their Scripture Searching

(i) How didn't they do this?
(ii) How did they do this?
(iii) When should we do this?
(iv) What is different for us when we do this?

(3) The Goal of their Scripture Searching

2. The Result of the Nobility of the Berean Jews (17:12)

1) Many Jews believed
2) Many Gentile women and men believed

II. The Opposition to the Preaching of the Word of God (17:13)

1. The News of Paul Preaching the Word in Berea Reaches Thessalonica

2. The Pursuit of Paul by “The Hounds of Hell” from Thessalonica

3. The Propaganda against Paul by the Anti-Christ Party from Thessalonica

III. The Division of the Mission Team Bearing the Word of God (17:14-15)

1. Paul is shipped out (17:14a)

2. Silas and Timothy remain in Berea (17:14b)

3. Paul is taken to Athens (17:15a)

4. The Brethren return from Athens to Berea with a message for Silas and Timothy (17:15b)

[Sermon preached 24 AUG 2014 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Resources on Acts:

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).
                                                  
F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Resources on Paul:

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B.Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).



Endnotes:

[1] “Ancient city of Macedonia (a region now divided among Greece, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria), probably founded in the 5th century b.c. The city was approximately 25 miles inland from the Aegean Sea on a scenic and fertile plain 600 feet high in the foothills north of the Olympian range. Conquered by Rome in 168 b.c., Beroea (alternately spelled Berea in numerous English translations) was one of the most populous Macedonian cities in the time of Christ. Today the city is known as Verria.
Beroea was visited by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:10–15) and was the home of Sopater, Paul’s companion (Acts 20:4). Paul and Silas left Thessalonica when violent religious and political opposition arose and went to Beroea, 50 miles southwest. There both Jews and Greeks eagerly received the gospel, but Paul had to leave the city when angry Jews arrived from Thessalonica to stir up trouble.”
W. A. Elwell, and B. J. Beitzel, eds., Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1988), pg. 293, s.v. “Beroea.”
[2] This phrase is borrowed from the title of a poem by John Masefield in Enslaved and Other Poems (New York: Macmillan Co., 1920).
[3] This may be due to the influence of J. P. Louw and E. A. Nida. See their Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), I:331, s.v. “27.48. εὐγενής, ές: a willingness to learn and evaluate something fairly—‘willingness to learn, to be open-minded, to be noble-minded.’ οὗτοι δὲ ἦσαν εὐγενέστεροι τῶν ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ ‘the people there were more open-minded than the people in Thessalonica’ Ac 17:11.” However, compare pp. 735-736, s.v. 87.27; and J. H. Moulton, and G. Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1930), pp. 259–260.
[4] “Just as old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful volume, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe two words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God.” John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, The Library of Christian Classics, eds. John Baillie, John T. McNeill, and Henry P. Van Dusen, Vols. XX-XXI (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), I:70 (I:VI:1).
“Just as old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful volume, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe two words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God.”
“For just as eyes, when dimmed with age or weakness or by some other defect, unless aided by spectacles, discern nothing distinctly; so, such is our feebleness, unless Scripture guides us in seeking God, we are immediately confused.” Op. cit., I:160-161 (I:XIV:1).
“This simile….is probably Calvin’s decisive utterance on the role of Scripture as related to the revelation of the Creator in creation. In modern Calvin study there has been much diversity in discussions of this expression and its implications. Cf. B. B. Warfield, Calvin and Calvinism, pp. 260 f…..T. H. L. Parker, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God: A Study in Calvin’s Theology….” Op. cit., I:70 (I:VI:1), note 1.
[5] 1 Cor. 2:6,7,13; Ps. 119:18, 129; Acts 10:43, 26:22; Acts 18:28; Heb 4:12; Ps. 19:7-9; Rom. 15:4; John 16:13,14; 1 John 2:20-27; 2 Cor. 3:14-17. See also the answer to this question in the Westminster Larger Catechism, Q. 4. How doth it appear that the Scriptures are of the Word of God? A. The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God.

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