These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. Acts 17:11-12
In contrast to the trouble Paul and Silas encountered at Thessalonica, the people in the city of Berea “were more fair-minded.” Some translations say “more noble minded.” Either way, the folks at Berea were apparently more “open-minded.”
Before saying any more about the Bereans, let us beware that in our day, being “open minded” is not necessarily a good thing. In our day being “open minded” is often equated with being willing to believe everyone and accept everything. Open mindedness in that sense is, of course, foolish and dangerous. Why? Because not all people and not all things are worthy of acceptance since many things are false, dangerous, and even deadly.
The Bereans were noble minded not because they accepted whatever they heard, but because they “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Yes, they “received the [Apostles’] word with all readiness,” but they checked what they heard against the scriptures. Once again, the Bible is the absolute and final authority next to which we must measure all things. If anything is not in line with the scriptures, it must be refused!
And this does not mean only religious teachers and their teachings. We need to measure everything against the Bible. Everything. This includes what we hear from any and every source: what we read, music we listen to, TV and movies we watch, all things on the internet, including social media, and even friends we spend time with and hear from.
If we would receive commendation like the Bereans, let us compare all of life to the scriptures. Embrace what the Bible affirms, and reject what it does not.
Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22