The manner in which the Bereans received Paul’s message is held up as a shining example of how we, as Christians, should also receive teachings from the text:
for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed,
My hope is that during our reading the New Testament this year, we too would eagerly receive the message, and carefully examine the scripture.
I like how this chapter and the one before highlight the women who believed.
And the story of Jason’s arrest, this still happens today. It’s a bit oversimplified, but people accuse believers of undermining the political status quo and they get arrested. The suspicion of “new” and different beliefs is alive and well, not only in the time of Acts. There is genuine fear that these outside ideas will fundamentally change a person’s allegiance. Or as we see in this chapter, people with ulterior motives accuse them in the public space of undermining the authorities when that was never their intention.
I have some sympathy for those who suspect the “new”. Not for the actions, but for the fear. Allegiances are changed when a person finds salvation in Christ. In a good way for all concerned if Christ is truly followed.
I wonder how open we all are to change.
In an article in Inc. in 2019, a Psychotherapist lists the top 10 fears “that hold people back”. Change was #1, although I’m not sure that meant it was the greatest, or just the first. Some others on the list, in case you’re interested include: loneliness, failure, and rejection.