Home  > Short Studies  > Trusting in scripture to prevent deception (Acts 17:11)

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. — Acts 17:11

Not all teachings found within the professing church today are centered on biblical principles. This is a problem because when people stray from the word of God in the pursuit of spiritual truth, they become vulnerable to deception. From the time of the early Christian church, false teachers have deceived people, leading them away from the narrow path of salvation and onto the broad path of destruction.

In chapter 17 of Acts, Paul and Silas had just been run out of Thessalonica by hostile, unbelieving Jews and arrived at Berea, where they resumed sharing the gospel of Christ. The Bereans, while eager to hear the teachings, approached it with a practical skepticism. Instead of blindly accepting or rejecting what was being preached, they checked it against scripture to see if it was true. In doing so they set a proper example of how to respond to spiritual teachings—with enthusiasm but also diligence in determining whether or not the message is biblical.

In order to protect ourselves against false doctrines spread by ignorant or deceptive teachers, we should always follow the Berean example and hold all spiritual instruction to the biblical standard of truth. The bible is the final, indisputable authority on all subjects because it is the word of God. Therefore if a religious doctrine is found to be incompatible, extraneous or deficient when compared to God’s word, it should be rejected.

Throughout church history, many well-intentioned movements have sought to clarify the gospel and enlighten people to its saving truths. Christians however cannot depend on denominational dogma and the conclusions of various church councils for inerrancy. Confessions, catechisms, and other statements of doctrine must be examined in the light of God’s word to determine their legitimacy. All preaching and teaching must conform to the truths set forth in the bible, and whenever man’s spiritual interpretations disagree with scripture, he must submit to the higher authority—indeed the highest authority—of God’s written word. The Bible is sufficient. Everything that is necessary for a person to know about God and His plan for humanity is found within its pages.

The legacy of the Bereans extends to the present day, evidenced by the many churches and ministries that are named after them, but we can best honor their legacy by continuing to follow their example: anchoring ourselves in the surety of scripture so that our faith is based on His holy truth alone.

Scripture Alone • Faith Alone • Grace Alone • Christ Alone • To the Glory of God Alone
Most scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB)

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