Personal Investigators

Scripture References: Acts 17: 10-11, 27; Teaching Topics:

  1. This portion is in the book of Acts, which the King James Version calls “The acts of the Apostles”. It is more correctly “The acts of the Holy Spirit” through the Apostles. The book opens with the spirit falling upon them.
  2. In the portion, Paul and Silas are sent out by night. This was to more protect them, as they were concerned about capture, plus it was a time period that reminds us we are operating in the night time – darkness of sin.
  3. They came from Thessalonica, where the first book was about the coming of the Lord.
  4. They arrived in Berea, which is 30 miles from Thessalonica. It is a city of Macedonia (remember the call to Paul)?
  5. The word “Berea” means “well watered”. Well watered areas are fertile for growth and they grow towards the sun; we grow towards our maker.
  6. On arrival they went directly to the synagogue. Why?
  7. As they were referenced, the following phrase was used:
    1. They were more noble than the Thessalonicans
    2. The greek word “eugenes”, pronounced yoog-en-ace, means: noble birth, high rank, high birth, like a prince, as is luke 19:12.
    3. Here it means they were regarded as those of nobility, well cultured and educated, no matter their economic or social standing.
  8. Why were they referred to like that?
    1. They received the word well – Greek word “dechomai”, meaning “to take, accept, welcome.” what does it mean to welcome something/somebody?
    2. They received it with readiness – the Greek word “prothumia”, meaning “Eagerness, willingness, promptness.” it means to be ready and willing. Part of the word “humia” comes from “hymia”, meaning “passion”.
    3. They examined the word – the Greek word “anakrino”, meaning “To investigate, inquire”.
    4. They were checking out the scriptures – the Greek word “Grapha”. Think of them as a graph – measurement of the life of faith, whether these things were so or not.
  9. Finally, verse 27 reminds us that God desires that we seek him (matthew 6:33).
  10. The Greek word seek is “zeteo”, seek until you find. It has “see” in it.
  11. Then they would “feel their way”, which is the Greek word “pselaphao”, meaning “to feel, grope, handle.” it is talking about touching this expression of God, that it affects your life. It is not feelings to guide us, but rather the touch that ignites us. How does one designate and identify in the dark? By touch.