What scriptures were the Bereans searching?
Question:
In Acts 17:11, what scriptures were they searching to see if the things they were taught were so?
Thank you.
Answer:
"Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ'" (Acts 17:1-3).
Paul's custom when entering a new city was to meet the Jews first. He reasoned with them from the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament) about the prophecies concerning the Messiah, demonstrating that Jesus was the Messiah. He did the same thing in Berea.
"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" (Acts 17:10-11).
The Bereans didn't just take Paul at his word; they researched their Scriptures to see whether what he claimed matched what was recorded.
