PAUL’S EXPERIENCE IN BEREA

Paul came to the little countryside town of Berea after leaving the big city of Thessalonica.

Thessalonica, as you remember, is where he had to quickly grab his things and hustle out the back side of town to avoid the mob that had formed in the town theater. This quick exit was by strong persuasion and the advice of his good friends. Paul quietly slipped out of town. Berea was where they decided he should go for a little while. It was the perfect little town. Somewhere where he wouldn’t be easily found. Maybe even get a little R & R. (Definitely a Vanilla Latte, hot shower, and a massage were just the thing!)

The ministry had been rough so far in Macedonia. Maybe not exactly how Paul had invisioned. Greece was beautiful… but rough. In Philippi, he was severely beaten, thrown in prison, and asked to leave.

In Thessalonica, the whole town came together to form an angry mob. They went after Paul to find him, bring him to face Jewish leaders, and bring physical harm, perhaps death, to him.   

Not the best start to ministry. Not great personal success. Not necessarily the “Prosperity Gospel.”

Yet, his efforts, his perseverance, even his persecution was effective for the spreading of the Gospel. He was a success in the eyes of God because of his obedience and faithfulness. Sharing the Gospel was his part. The response and outcome were God’s. 

So, Berea was the perfect little town. It was small. The people were friendly, not crazy. And it was down a little dirt road off the highway. Not a place that gets a lot of traffic, but a place that one would have to intentionally go to.

The Bereans received Paul and accepted the Gospel message with eagerness. They were faithful to the Word and to the study of the Word. They gathered and examined the scripture daily. What a wonderful example of a healthy, unified church body. It was a church that quickly became a healthy, on-fire church.

Such a great example for us, don’t you think?

Because of Paul’s teaching, there were several strong believers. Perhaps a revival of sorts in the sleepy little town. Paul’s time with these kind and welcoming people must have been refreshing after such weary and heavy events in Thessaloniki, which he had just left a few days earlier. (Remember the wild mob that formed in the theater and Paul’s quick escape?)

I’m sure he would have loved to have settled down for a bit and enjoyed the moment to breathe and enjoy breaking bread with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. To enjoy some good ol’ preaching, hymn-singing, deep Bible Study, perhaps form a few connect groups, and share some covered casseroles and fried chicken on a blanket on the grounds.

How sweet to share moments of mountaintop experience with the family of God. Experiencing the expansion and spread of the Gospel like wildfire. To see God’s salvation go out to the nations.

However, his visit was cut short. Why?

Well, as you and I are very aware, evil is always lurking around the corner. Satan will always attack and try to destroy the Truth, especially when the Truth is gaining ground. He will mislead people. He will lie to people. He will make people think they are fighting a noble and good cause. Religious people and unreligious people. Good people and not-so-good people. Well-meaning people and downright evil people. Satan will use anyone who believes his lies and deception for his purpose to “kill, steal and destroy.”

And so, Paul had a target on his back. Who put that target on him? That same crazy, out-of-control Thessaloniki mob. Sometimes it seems like the “crazy” never stops, doesn’t it?

Once the legalistic, unbelieving Jews in Thessaloniki found out where Paul was staying, they once again sent the wild and unruly mob. This time, all the way to Berea. Just for the purpose of agitating and upsetting the ministry. Bring harm to Paul as well. Possibly to kill him.

• They wanted to shut him up.
• Stop the Gospel.
• Kill the message.

It wasn’t enough for Paul to stop preaching in the city of Thessaloniki; they wanted to stop him from preaching in other cities. So they hunted him down and followed him to bring damage to the ministry.

But the Gospel will never be stopped! The Word of God is alive and active. It is for salvation! Rest assured.  Neither Satan’s efforts nor the gates of hell will prevail, just as Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in Caesarea Philippi when he asked the question, “Who do men say that I am? Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Christ! The Son of the Living God!” 

Peter was correct! Jesus told them that nothing will stop the Church, nothing will stop the Gospel that is founded on Him, the “Rock”! He is the “Rock of our Salvation”.

Amen and Amen! Thank you, Jesus!

So, again, Paul’s faithful and loving supporters thought it best for him to leave Berea. To flee quickly! Go! Get out of town!

So, they arranged another “great escape”.  (Starting to be a theme for Paul) Before the disruptors arrived in all their fury, Paul was personally escorted and placed on a boat. My guess, his friends in the ministry were “packing”, if you know what I mean. They were most likely prepared for a street rumble at any moment… should it arise. They didn’t send him off by himself and wave “Bye! Love ya, bro!  Good luck and hope you make it!”

No. They went the full distance with him. They didn’t just sit on the bench and watch from the stands, but they actually got in the “game”, in the “battle” for themselves. They got their own hands dirty with the fight against evil and persecution. They were willing to put their own lives on the line.

I wonder so often what I am willing to do. How far will I go? It is definitely more comfortable and way safer to stand in the back. Be quiet. Fade into the background. To watch from the sidelines.  To “pray” for others.

What would I do? What would you do? Really, when it comes down to it… Are we courageous or are we cowards? Something to think about?

The Bereans were true and loyal ministers, living out what they believed. They escorted him out of town and all the way down to the huge city of Athens. A place where he could get lost in the crowd. They made sure that he was safe to continue on the missional work that God had assigned him. Faith was put into action.

Persecution may cause us shake the dust off our feet and move on down the road, but it should not stop us. It should not make us give up on doing what God has called us to do.

I love the words declared by Peter and John in the book of Acts, chapter four. They were arrested and ordered by the government to stop sharing the gospel and stop speaking the name of Jesus, or else. Their reply? “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you judge for yourselves; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

That would be Paul’s heart as well. He could not stop.

• Nothing was going to stop him from speaking the name of Jesus.
• Nothing was going to stop him from telling his testimony of the One who saved his soul.
• Nothing was going to stop him from being a “witness”!

Here are some good questions for you and me to ask ourselves:

• How’s our own personal “witness” going?
• Are we living out our lives as faithful and dedicated “witnesses” for the Lord?
• What would God say about our “witness”?

I honestly desire to persevere and be ever faithful to bring God glory. Sometimes I get it right. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I am strong. Sometimes I am weak.

Paul would continue strong and faithful with the ministry along his journey.

The Bereans would stay in their town and continue growing in the knowledge of the Lord.

Silas and Timothy would catch up with Paul at a later time and join with him again in ministry.

So, for now. Paul is escorted by boat to Athens. He will minister alone.  And ministering and traveling alone is rare for him.

More impact for the Gospel is awaiting.

More interesting days ahead.