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The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 7:41am On Jun 21 |
In the first century Jewish community there were numerous religious sects all claiming worshipers of the God of Abraham but then there is contradictions among them as they had different schools of thought headed by a body called Pharisees. Each Pharisee had his own Rabbinic school where students were thought to become Pharisees in the future, the Apostle Paul was tutored in one of these Rabbinic schools under a Pharisee whose name is Gamaliel! Act 22:3 compare to Act 5:34 So when Jesus of Nazareth began preaching and teaching throughout all the district of Judea and his teaching didn't match any of their Rabbinic schools {Matthew 7:28-29} they all ganged up to incriminate him because they were envious thinking that with his teachings Jesus will win the heart of all their people! John 11:48 They conspired with Roman politician called Pontius Pilate and killed Jesus of Nazareth believing that their troubles are over not until Jesus' disciples began preaching and teaching that the man killed as a blasphemer is actually the long awaited Messiah! Act 2:36 This is what Jesus' disciples were preaching and teaching with zeal that led to crisis among the Jews in the first century as their leaders began hunting Jesus' disciples telling them to stop claiming that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) Act 4:18; 5:28 So in every land where Judaism has become a religion among people of other nations Jesus' disciples quickly gained the attention of people who were Jewish proselytes as all these people were also in expectation of the Messiah. Noteworthy are Jewish proselytes found in an ancient city called Beroea these proselytes heard what Jesus' disciples preached but since the Jewish religious sects that taught them Judaism never told them anything like that they were skeptical about Jesus' disciples even though Jesus' disciples were performing great signs and wonders in Jesus name the Beroean proselytes didn't just jump at them to accept their message unlike their fellow proselytes in Thessalonica they were studying the scriptures diligently everyday to be sure that what Jesus' disciples are saying is true! Act 17:11 Now the question each Bible student need to ask himself or herself today: *Am i noble minded like the Jewish proselytes in the first century Beroean community? *Since there was only the Old Testament (Genesis - Malachi) that was available back then how were they convinced that Jesus is the Messiah? *Why did they choose to study the scriptures instead of believing the disciples of Jesus and not minding their miraculous works? *How can i be noble minded like them today? 2 Likes
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Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 8:02am On Jun 21 |
According to the scriptures the Messiah will conquer all the kingdoms (governments) of all the earth and establish his own government right there in Jerusalem {Isaiah 2:3} which will never be passed onto any other ruler but his kingdom will remain forever and ever! Daniel 2:44 compare to Isaiah 9:6-7 Jesus was killed by his enemies and there was no single sign that the Jews or his disciples will ever rule anywhere so what convinced the Beroean Christians that Jesus is the Christ? |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 6:24am On Jun 22 |
The Jews as a nation finds it difficult to believe in Jesus of Nazareth because of their leaders in Judaism. Their leaders believe that when the Messiah (Christ) comes he will conquer all the nations of the earth and start a one world government which the headquarters will be in Jerusalem {Isaiah 2:3} so they were do jealous of anyone coming to dictate for them in that city as they strongly believe it's their own and whoever holds a high position in Jerusalem will surely participate in the rulership of the world whenever the Messiah comes. So they were eagerly anticipating the coming of Christ but ironically they were disappointed when Jesus began pointing out their flaws and all the evil they've been doing as leaders of the Jews {Matthew 23:13-30} Jesus of Nazareth that same day declared that Jerusalem has been CONDEMNED and is no longer worthy of that glory {Matthew 23:31-38} Jesus told them that the one and only escape root for the Jewish nation and restoration of its glory is if they unanimously welcome him as the prophet who has come in the name of JEHOVAH (YAHWEH) just as Moses prophesied! Matthew 23:39 compare to Deuteronomy 18:18-19 Prior to that time in Jerusalem the Jews actually welcomed Jesus like a king {Matthew 21:1-9} fulfilling the prophecy in the Bible book of Zechariah 9:9 but were their leaders happy seeing the fulfillment of God's word? NO! Rather they were objecting the fulfillment of God's word {Matthew 21:15-16} despite seeing all the miraculous works Jesus did and the grand entry as foretold in the scriptures, that day Jesus used an illustration to show the deplorable condition of the Jewish nation: He was returning and sighted a fig tree going closer to pick some of its fruit he discovered that the tree was UNPRODUCTIVE instantly Jesus cursed that tree saying it will never bear any FRUIT again! Matthew 21:18-20 Interpretation of the illustration! The Jewish nation failed to produce the fruit of faith in God so the glory has been taken away from them forever and given to another nation that's producing the FRUIT of faith! Matthew 21:43 With that the Jewish religious leaders banned the name of Jesus in Jerusalem and all it's district {John 9:22} they also sent out their members to go from city to city and town to town telling people not to believe whatever Jesus of Nazareth says as it's all HERESY! Matthew 23:15 Despite all these the inheritants of Beroea put faith in what Jesus' disciples told them about Jesus of Nazareth. WHY? ![]() 2 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 7:56pm On Jun 22 |
MaxInDHouse:Well the Bible students in Beroea went back to their copies of the scriptures from Genesis to Malachi and began considering all the prophecies having to do with the Messiah even though Jesus never fulfilled all that was written in the scriptures about the Messiah but he met up with 70% of what any human can fulfill within a lifetime! So the Jewish proselytes in Beroean believe in the words of Jesus' disciples that with what Jesus was able to achieve within that short period nobody can deny it unless a BETTER PERFORMING Jew can do better than Jesus of Nazareth but after 2000 years no Jew has been able to meet up with the records of Jesus of Nazareth! So today if we want to be like the Beroeans in the Bible should we be criticizing any religion without finding a better performing group? We need to know what Jesus said about his disciples in the last days then check all existing religions to know which one is meeting up with what Jesus said about his disciples in the last days! ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 8:10pm On Jun 22 |
MaxInDHouse:1. They did an independent STUDY of the Bible by THEMSELVES: they did not assume the Apostles cannot lie are say that which is UNTRUE. 2. They did an independent VERIFICATION of the Scripture by THEMSELVES: they did not assume the Apostles cannot lie are say that which is UNTRUE. 2. The came to an independent CONCLUSION by themselves through Reason , looking at the SCRIPTURES and they did not in the name of SAMENESS follow Doctrines of their Teachers. Because of these, they were NOBLE Any Organisation that forbids INDEPENDENCE of Thought, Reason and Conclusion on Scriptural TRUTHS is a CULT! 8 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 8:26pm On Jun 22 |
TenQ:Exactly what all noble minded people should do but did each of them study the Bible on his own or they as a group studied the scriptures having in mind what Jesus' disciples told them about their leader that he is the Christ? TenQ:Definitely the apostles of Jesus were a cult because this is what they did: And they continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to associating together, to the taking of meals, and to prayers. Act 2:42 So whoever has any independent thoughts or conclusions that contradicts theirs is not welcome as a believer! However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond the good news we declared to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8 compare to 1Corinthians 1:10 and Ephesians 4:3 Surely the apostles were a cult and Jesus supported this act: "I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are one." John 17:22 ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 8:49pm On Jun 22 |
Some childish talks use to amaze me! How can someone say an organization should allow for independent thought whereas the founder of the organization never allowed for such? Jesus of Nazareth told his disciples that once they become his disciples they're no longer an independent person rather they must think, talk and act like him: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24 Are you INDEPENDENT if you have to DENY YOURSELF and follow everything someone else says? How can the disciples of the man who spoke those words have contradicting opinions if they're to DENY THEMSELVES and stick to his ideas? No wonder Jesus said people who don't know him will call his real disciples a CULT! Matthew 10:24-25 ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 9:08pm On Jun 22 |
MaxInDHouse: Don't mind TenQ The Beroans actually did a deep study to see if what Paul was telling them was so I also did my own study to see if Jehovah Witnesses teachings are in line with the scriptures and it was so. Paul did not even mentioned that the disciples to have independently thinking but to think in unity and on oneness of mind. Everyone knows that only JWs, in anywho around the world have that oneness of mind 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 9:15pm On Jun 22 |
Aemmyjah: I know him long before now, it's after a long time battle that he stoped quoting me now he has been quoting the Quran and arguing with Muslims expecting them to agree with him when himself and all his cohorts never agree on the same thing about Jesus. Did Muslims claim they believe in Jesus? YES! So what is the problem they're having with one another? Is it not independent thoughts about the prophets of God? He wants to claim that any organization that's against independent (contradicting) thoughts is a cult forgetting that neither Jehovah, Jesus nor the Apostles welcome such! ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 10:37pm On Jun 22 |
MaxInDHouse:The Bible says: "the Bereans studied the Scriptures with the Apostles!?" SMH! 2 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 5:15am On Jun 23 |
TenQ:The Beroeans were students of the scriptures already so they were conversant with Genesis to Malachi therefore all what the disciples of Christ told them as fellow disciples was that they have found the Messiah (Christ) Any student of the scriptures knows where to start his or her findings by going through all the prophecies having to do with the Christ in the scriptures from Genesis to Malachi. Today why do we need to study the Bible entirely with the true Christians? Because we aren't Bible students before and we don't even know anything about the prophecies having to do with the Christ in the Old Testament. To have accurate knowledge of the scriptures we must study the Bible with the true Christians from Genesis to Revelations unlike the Beroeans who already had the knowledge of the scriptures through teachings from the Judaists who made them Jewish proselytes. For your information that's why Jesus told his disciples to go throughout the earth and make disciples of people baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit {Matthew 28:19} this requires teaching this pagans all they need to know about the one and only true God and all His wonderful works of old which He did through His Holy Spirit and the role His only begotten Son will play in the salvation of obedient mankind. You will notice that the disciples of Christ only baptized the Jewish proselytes in Jesus name that's because those proselytes already had the knowledge of the true God and how His Holy Spirit works what they don't know is that the Christ (Messiah) has come and gone in person of Jesus Christ. That's why Peter told his listeners in the day of Pentecost to get baptized in the name of Jesus whom they have never heard anything about before telling them that he (Jesus) is the Christ all worshipers of God has been expecting! Act 2:38 If you have any question feel free to ask your grievances doesn't show that you're knowledgeable in the scriptures it only shows impatience on your part! |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 7:53am On Jun 23 |
MaxInDHouse:Did the Bereans study the Bible WITH the Apostles ? It is a Yes or No question! 2 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 8:45am On Jun 23 |
TenQ: You're just thirsty for fruitless arguments the Bible made it clear that Apostle Paul preached to both the Thessalonians as well as Beroeans the Thessalonians didn't doubt what they heard after witnessing miracles just as people like you are carried away with miracles but the Beroeans went back to meditate on what they heard so as to draw a conclusion after diligent study of what they knew before. You can't compare yourself to the Beroeans because you know nothing about the true God, Jesus or the Apostles as you're advocating independent thought. If there was independent thoughts why did God gave rules on how His worshipers must do things stating: "You must not do this, You must not do that" Exodus 20:3-17 And Jesus won't say he does nothing apart from what his father approves! John 5:19; 8:28 So guy you know nothing about the true God, Jesus or his apostles humble yourself and learn! |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 3:27pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: They went to study the scriptures if what Paul told them were so. The Ethiopian Eunuch could have adopted independent thinking and ignored Philip. Why did the Holy Spirit guide Philip to meet him instead of allowing the Eunuch to reach whatever conclusion he likes? If you give your students mathematical test and they all arrive at the same answers. Will you not be pleased? What happens when a student adopt his own independent ideology, reject the teacher and allow himself to do whatever he likes 1 Like |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 3:31pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah: They know nothing about Christianity yet they want to TEACH others! ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 3:37pm On Jun 23 |
MaxInDHouse: The 70 showed independent thinking and left Jesus Christ I'm sure he'll have mocked the other that stayed with Jesus 1 Like |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 3:39pm On Jun 23 |
MaxInDHouse: Did the Bereans study the Scriptures INDEPENDENTLY from the Apostles to confirm if what they said was true? 4 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 4:16pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ:Did Jesus agree with INDEPENDENT thoughts? |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 4:19pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah:They don't want to be a part of cannibals who will eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus as that sounds like a CULT to them! John 6:62-66 ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 4:25pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah:Did ANYONE preach to the Ethiopian Eunuch about Christ prior to this encounter with Philip? Did the Bereans study the Bible WITH the Apostles ? It is a Yes or No question! 4 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 4:31pm On Jun 23 |
MaxInDHouse:John 8:32: "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." For those who replaced the Holy Spirit with "Wolves in Sheepskin", I have this word John 14:26: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you." 4 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 5:10pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: Why did the Eunuch accept help from Philip? The Beroans were not Christians, Paul went to preach to them in their synagogue , they went to confirm from their scriptures if Paul was saying the truth or not. Like today, there's many who have studied with us and come to learn the truth like Philip There's many we went to preach to, they went back to the scriptures if what we said is in line with the Bible and it was so |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 6:01pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: They did Before they became Christians but when they became Christians, they had unity of thought as a britherh6 Many of Jehovah's witnesses including me did same too and when we became baptized, our thoughts began to align in accord with God's word |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 6:07pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: The comforter only teach the Apostles and the older men while they in turn teaches the congregation {Hebrews 13:7, 17 compare to Matthew 28:19-20} that's what Paul meant when he said faith comes by hearing the word of God {Romans 10:17} that's heard from those sent out to preach and teach others! Romans 10:13-15 So it's by comparing what you were TAUGHT by the apostles with what is written in the scriptures that you can distinguish between truth and falsehood! John 8:32 Not that you just study the Bible all alone and become a teacher of God's word through the Holy Spirit while others must learn from you as their pastor. Knowledge is passed from one person to another! 1Corinthians 4:7 ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 6:13pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ:YES! They were preached to about the coming of Christ that's what he was reading aloud when the Holy Spirit moved Philip to go and teach him about Jesus of Nazareth. It's through Philip's teaching that the Eunuch realized he must be baptized! Act 8:34-36 TenQ:Of course they were preached to and just as i went back to compare what JWs taught me with the scriptures that's exactly what they did! Act 17:11 1 Like |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 6:20pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah:They are a faithless and rebellious generation you will see him claiming Christian arguing blindly with Muslims but the truth about Christ and Christianity he doesn't know a single thing! ![]() |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 6:34pm On Jun 23 |
MaxInDHouse:You are not much different from Muslims with telling blatant lies in twisting the scriptures to fit your preferred narrative. The Eunuch came to Jerusalem for worship as a Jewish proselyte . Acts 8:27-35: "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand you what you read? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus." He heard of Jesus for the first time through Phillip sir. Did the Bereans study the Bible WITH the Apostles ? No sir! BUT, since your claim is that they were having Bible studies with the Apostles, With which of the Apostles did they study the Bible with: Mr Liar! With Judas!? 5 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by Aemmyjah(m): 6:56pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: Actually No one preached to the Ethiopian Eunuch. Maybe someone did when he was in Jerusalem but the Bible does not mention. He may have heard about Jesus but he was not preached to He was coming from Ethiopia and the goodnews has probably not reached there. Note that the Eunuch himself said to Philip that how can he understand what he's reading unless someone guides him. Through Philip conversation, he was guided to learn about Jesus and get baptized. How did he learn about Jesus? Through independent thinking or being guided by Philip? You're wrong about the Beroans thing too Now, Paul went to the synagogue to preach in Beroa. So, we can guess that his audience were the Jews there since it's Jews and Proselyte that worship in synagogues Paul always makes references to the scriptures whenever he preaches to the Jewish audience (Acts 17:2) The Jews who heard him and were familiar with the scriptures went back to examine the scriptures if what Paul told them was true. It was and they rejoiced and they became believers. Without Paul, would independent study or whoever is teaching them in the synagogue help them know about the role of the Christ and the resurrection? No. How did the Beroans become believers? By independent thinking? No Did Paul play a part? Yes Was it a Bible study? Well, he always make reference to the scriptures whenever he preach to the Jews since they were familiar with the Holy writings Was independent thinking encouraged among Christians in the first century? See the following verses and examine the scriptures carefully to answer 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, continue to rejoice, to be readjusted, to be comforted, to think in agreement, to live peaceably; and the God of love and of peace will be with you. Ephesians 4:3 earnestly endeavoring to maintain the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace. Philippians 2:2 make my joy full by being of the same mind [/b]and having the same love, being completely united, [b]having the one thought in mind. 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you have unity of mind, fellow feeling, brotherly affection, tender compassion, and humility. So independent thinking was not allowed in the Christian congregation and it is not allowed today. Only apostates gave in to independent thinking and introduced sects and division |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 7:35pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: This is where you need enlightenment because Jesus actually said about Pharisees: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you travel over sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him a subject for Ge·henʹna twice as much so as yourselves." Matthew 23:15 Note the highlighted: How do Scribes and Pharisees travel over sea and dry land to make proselytes if they don't PREACH their faith using the scriptures? ![]() 1 Like |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by TenQ: 7:37pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah:Is Your argument that the Berean Christians did not do any independent studies but just accepted the teaching of Paul as as true!? The Ethiopian Eunuch did NOT know ANYTHING about Jesus UNTIL his encounter with Philip. He was reading the Book of Isaiah and Philip used the same book to preach crucified and risen Christ to him. I don't know what your argument is against the Berean Christians. Which of the three facts I presented was wrong and Why? I SAID: 1. They did an independent STUDY of the Bible by THEMSELVES: they did not assume the Apostles cannot lie or say that which is UNTRUE. 2. They did an independent VERIFICATION of the Scripture by THEMSELVES: they did not assume the Apostles cannot lie or say that which is UNTRUE. 3. They came to an independent CONCLUSION by themselves through Reason , looking at the SCRIPTURES and they did not in the name of SAMENESS follow Doctrines of their Teachers. Because of these, they were NOBLE Any Organisation that forbids INDEPENDENCE of Thought, Reason and Conclusion on Scriptural TRUTHS is a CULT! 5 Likes |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 7:41pm On Jun 23 |
Aemmyjah: Of course he was preached to that's what made him a Jewish proselyte who believe in what the Israelite prophets penned down. What he never heard is about Jesus of Nazareth who has come to fulfil the prophecies about the Christ and gone back to heaven. Regarding the scriptures and about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all Jewish proselytes were PREACHED to before they became worshipers of the Bible God that's what Jesus said about the Scribes and Pharisees! Matthew 23:15 It's the Good News about Christ that those proselytes haven't heard! ![]() 1 Like 2 Shares |
Re: The Beroeans: What Can We Learn From Them? by MaxInDHouse(m): 7:55pm On Jun 23 |
TenQ: Jehovah, Jesus and the Apostles never support INDEPENDENT THOUGHTS on pure worship! ![]() |
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