Right receiving of the word preached
Vanoverloop examines Acts 17:11 to develop a theology of proper reception of the preached Word, emphasizing the Bereans' exemplary attitude of searching Scripture daily to test what is preached. The article expounds how God uses the preaching of Christ crucified as His power and wisdom, and calls hearers to focus on God's voice rather than the imperfect instrument of the preacher himself.
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11 God is pleased to use the preaching of His Word to work faith (Rom. 10:17). God is pleased to use weak, sinful men to preach, which calls the hearers to focus on the voice of their Shepherd and not so much on the Shepherd's instrument, the preacher. God declares that the preaching of Christ crucified is the...
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