Download Series: Acts Lesson #72 Title: True Nobility Scripture: Acts 17: 10

Series: Acts
Lesson #72
Title: True Nobility
Scripture: Acts 17: 10-12
Date: June 4, 2009
Place: Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Princeton, New Jersey
Acts 17: 10: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming
thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11: 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. 12: Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were
Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Scripture says of you and me, by nature, and of all men born in Adam, Romans 3: 10: As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one: 11: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh
after God. 12: They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none
that doeth good, no, not one. So when we read that "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" we know we are about to learn about the grace of God who makes sinners to differ.
Salvation is of the LORD. Wherever grace has begun we know it is because in the beginning God. He is the
Alpha and the Omega. Christ Jesus the Lord is the Author and Finisher of faith. He that hath begun a good
work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
True nobility and nobleness of character is of God. Nobility has to do with being born or adopted or married
into nobility, royal blood; it is to be better-born. There is also a noble spirit, a noble-mindedness, it is to
have a spirit mindful of better things.
Our text is comparing those who believed on Christ in Berea with those who did not believe in Thessalonica.
This is not a comparison of the believers in Thessalonica with the believers in Berea. Our text is comparing
those who believed on Christ in Berea with those who did not believe in Thessalonica. 2 Corinthians
10:12: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend
themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among
themselves, are not wise; Proverbs 25:27: It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their
own glory is not glory.
GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS (v11)
Most of the old writers agree that this is speaking of the character, the spirit, of those in Berea, that spirit
created by God, which we call noble-mindedness. Indeed, it is that spirit of God's grace which we are seeing
in our text. The spirit given by God is made up of these graces: of reverencing and receiving, of searching
and believing the word of God and of submitting in faith to Christ. We see it in the fact that the first thing
mentioned is this "readiness of mind" which they had within them. We will look at this in a moment.
Note: John Calvin suggests that this statement concerning the Bereans's is a mere statement of fact; that
those in Berea were, according to the flesh, of more noble pedigree than even those in Thessalonica.
Because of the use of language between the Greek and Latin translators, Calvin suggests that the virtues
described here apply, not to the Bereans' but to the believing Thessalonicans. If his comments concerning
the translation is correct, I am more inclined to believe that verse 11 speaks of God's grace working in both
the believing Bereans' and also the believers in Thessalonica. In other words, that this is a testimony to the
power of God's grace working in sinners that had the spiritual disadvantage of being noble in the flesh. Thus
the word "Therefore" in verse 12 is saying that through the Thessalonican and Berean brethren making use of
God's means in this way, God called out many more in those cities through them. This does agree with
Paul's words to the Thessalonicans when he describes their reception of the word and how that the word went
forth into all the regions round about through them. (See Calvin's commentary)
Nevertheless, to truly understand the great grace set forth in this passage we need to consider the evidence
here that those who rejected the gospel in Thessalonica were, in the natural sense of the word, born of noble
descent, as well as those in Berea. After looking carefully at scripture there is evidence that both the
unbelieving Thessalonicans and the believers in Berea were of noble pedigree, according to the flesh. With
Paul's visit to Berea situated in between his visit to the noble Thessalonicans and the wise Athens, this serves
to teach us something of great importance concerning the fact that our God is no respecter of persons.
Note: Some object saying that the Jews were not from noble descent. It appears by the words "honorable",
"chief", "rulers", etc…that the meaning is that they were of eminence among all other Jews, like those who
were members of the Sanhedrin.
ABOUT THESSALONICA
Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia. It was the administration center of Greece (the Wall Street of
Greece.) It is estimated to have had around 200,000 people at the time Paul went there. It was a hub for land
traffic and traffic from the sea. The Egnatian Road was a well-travelled road (what we might call an
interstate) which stretched from the Aegean coast in northern Macedonia to the west coast on the Adriatic
Sea. This major thoroughfare went right through Thessalonica. The city was situated on the Gulf of Slonika,
near two rivers. Farmers floated their agricultural produce down those two rivers to Thessalonica. Sea
vessels came to Thessalonica to upload their products. It was the hub for land traffic and for sea traffic. In
the same manner that Athens (who we will visit next) was full of wise men according to the flesh, so too,
Thessalonica was inhabited by nobility.
ABOUT BEREA
Historically, we know very little about Berea. The scriptures tell us very little beyond the passage we are
looking into now. We do know that Berea was about 40 miles from Thessalonica, situated off the major
highway, out to itself in between Thessalonica and Athens.
At first, one might think that this more rural setting of Berea would mean the citizens had less advantage,
naturally speaking, that they were not as wealthy, not of noble pedigree, perhaps not as well-educated. But
verse 12 connects the Jews who believed and the Greeks who believed with this word ALSO, saying that
those from each race who believed were "honorable." This is a word used to describe an eminent, influential
person, one of noble blood, if you will.
Back in Acts 13: 50 when the unbelieving Jews stirred up the more influential people against Paul, we read,
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. They were very
concerned that the noble, the wise, the mighty were turned from believing on God. We have seen it
somewhere else. Remember what their concern was in John 7:48: Have any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed on him?
In Thessalonica the report came back, "Yes." Acts 17: 4: And some of them believed, and of the devout
Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. Because of the fact that it was eminent,
devout, chief, noble persons whom God saved, this is one of the reasons why we read in Acts 17: 5: But the
Jews which believed not, moved with ENVY, and took men of the baser sort, and set all the city in an
uproar. Could it be that these same unbelieving Jews did not want the noble, honorable, Jews in Berea to
hear the gospel of Christ? So we read, But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word
of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Acts 17: 13.)
THE POINT
Why does it matter that those in Thessalonica AND those in Berea were noble by outward, natural
appearances, as man regards nobility? Why would it matter if those in Berea were even of more noble
pedigree than the Thessalonicans? It teaches us that our God is no respecter of persons.
Unbelievers always put great confidence in men of influence and power--in wise, noble, mighty men, but not
God. Those in Berea may have been noble by birth; they may have been literally more noble, naturally
speaking, than those in Thessalonica, but the Spirit of God calls them "more noble" not because of those
things, but because they were of the royal descent of the King of kings and Lord of Lords. They had a more
noble spirit within them because they were well-bred by the work of grace begun in them by God.
The Holy Spirit seems to be moving look to show that God's grace shall save a people from among all
classes of people. There are not many noble called, but there are some. The grace of God is able to conquer
the prince as well as the pauper. This is what Paul was saying to Timothy in I Timothy 2: 1: I exhort
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all
men; 2: For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty. 3: For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4: Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5: For there is one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to
be testified in due time. 7: Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in
Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8: I will therefore that men pray every
where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
All classes of men whom God has chosen, even the most noble as we see in Berea, shall be brought to the
knowledge of the truth. It must be so because Christ gave himself a ransom for all those given to him by God
the Father. Each one, whether they are a noble prince in authority or a blind beggar, shall be brought to the
knowledge of the truth. Paul says, therefore, do not doubt God's ability to save even the noble, but speak the
truth in Christ and lie not. God is no respecter of persons.
THE FRUIT OF GOD GRACE (v11, 12.)
These virtues we behold in Bereans are the fruits of God's grace, not the cause.
First, the Bereans were willing to receive the word preached by Paul because God had made them teachable.
This readiness of mind is of God. They wanted to learn the truth of God. Secondly, they reverenced God and
his word as just that, God's word. Therefore they searched the scriptures on a daily basis. Thirdly, they
believed on Christ.
We know this is the fruit of God's work in them because scripture is clear. Romans 8: 5: For they that are
after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7: Because the
carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8: So
then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so
be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
THOSE THINGS (vv. 2, 3, 11)
Those things are the gospel which Paul preached. What makes such a stark contrast between God's work of
grace in the Bereans and the enmity of the unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica is that they both heard the same
message preached.
Paul's message was of two musts which Christ performed: Christ must needs have suffered AND Christ must
needs have risen from the dead. Christ death justified the Bereans; Christ's rising to enter into his glory
resulted in Christ sending forth the gospel, creating them anew through the Holy Spirit and keeping them
until his return. So it is that Christ must needs have suffered and Christ must needs have risen from the dead.
Here are a few examples in scripture:
1. A lamb was slain in the garden in the stead of Adam and Eve AND God covered Adam and Eve with
those skins; Christ must needs have suffered AND Christ must needs have risen from the dead.
2. Abel's lamb was slain in Abel's place so that Abel was accepted of God AND Abel was made willing to
come in the blood of the lamb; Christ must needs have suffered AND Christ must needs have risen
3. The Passover lamb was slain instead of the firstborn in the houses of Israel AND the head of the house
applied the blood to the doorpost of the house; Christ must needs have suffered AND Christ, the Head of the
House, must needs have risen to apply the blood.
4. Throughout the Mosaic covenant blood was shed in the place of that one nation AND the High Priest
sprinkled the blood; Christ must needs have suffered AND Christ must needs have risen from the dead.
PAUL SAID, THIS JESUS WHOM I PREACH UNTO YOU IS THE CHRIST. THE MESSIAH HAS
COME, HE HAS FULFILLED THE LAW, HE HAS PUT AWAY SIN AND IT IS CHRIST WHO IS
REIGNING IN YOUR MIDST, EVEN NOW!
USED OF GOD (v12.)
Because of God's grace working in them, the Berean's submitted to Christ. Also, they were used of God to
lead many more to the gospel.
John Calvin suggests that this verse refers also to those believers in Thessalonica, showing that this is the
difference which God's grace made, and makes, in all believers: "This is not referred unto the sentence next
going before, as if those of whom he spake began to believe, making choice of some of them: for that were
an absurd thing. But Luke’s meaning is, because many were added by their example, the Church was
increased in that city. And hitherto hath Luke declared the first beginning of the church of Thessalonica, lest
any man should think that Paul’s labors did perish through his sudden and violent departure; for unless I be
much deceived, he showeth for this purpose what fruit his preaching brought forth in the other city, before he
came to the exile of Berea."
The graces of the spirit created in the Berean's by God, was also in the believers in Thessalonica. The things
mentioned in our text, are not only the means whereby sinners are brought to faith in Christ, but this is what
submission and faith consists of. They submitted to Christ, to his Word, to his ambassadors, to his gospel
and they searched God's word daily. God uses those who trust him to call out other sheep through the gospel
therefore many of them believed.
THE POINT
The emphasis is placed on God's grace, on God's messenger preaching the truth from God's word without
compromising it because of the affluence of those in the audience, on God making men willing to receive, to
reverence his word, to rejoice that God's messenger and God's word are in agreement. Scripture is clear that
there is a nobleness which is by nature. But here we see that true nobility is that which God works in spirit
(Read I Cor 1: 26-31.)
If God was pleased to save a multitude of wise, mighty and noble men according to the flesh then he would
make the majority of his messengers to be of such stock, to speak and to write in a wise, mighty, and noble
fashion so as to attract their audience. Instead, God uses things which the wise man regards as foolish. God
uses things the mighty man regards as weak. God uses things the noble man regards as base and which he
despises. Why? To bring to nothing those who think they are something, that no flesh should glory in his
presence. (Read I Corinthians 2: 1-16.)
Oh mighty man, oh wise man, oh noble man, if you are called of God then you will be brought to behold that
those things which you regarded as wise, mighty and noble are nothing and so are you. The few whom God
saves who are wise, and mighty, and noble according to the flesh are brought to regard the wisdom and
might and nobility of this world as altogether vanity.
Those in Berea may have been more noble by their first birth than those in Thessalonica or it may have been
the other way around, but the Spirit says they were brought low to trust Christ alone. James 1: 9: Let the
brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as
the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
APPLICATION
Receive the word preached with all readiness of mind. Make yourselves available to hear the gospel of
Christ. And receive these words with an eagerness to learn, to be taught of God.
Search the scriptures--daily. Let's not let the world manage us; lets manage the world around us so we make
time to search God's scripture.
Search the scriptures daily, to see--TO SEE WITH DELIGHT--whether these things are so. Listen to this
sure promise of our faithful God: Proverbs 2: 1: My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my
commandments with thee; 2: So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding; 3: Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4: If
thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5: Then shalt thou understand the
fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6: For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth
cometh knowledge and understanding. 7: He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler
to them that walk uprightly. 8: He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9: Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Let this passage be an encouragement to you in making use of these means of grace even when confronted
by the noble, the wise and the mighty of this world. It is not any man's position in this life that makes any of
noble birth and spirit. Our God's grace makes kings and priests of sinners who were once rebels of the
lowest class and likewise of the highest. He does it one way. Through the gospel of Christ, through his
written word, by his grace which is freely given in Christ Jesus, AND when he translates us into the
KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON, our God makes his saints MORE NOBLE THAN EVEN THE NOBLEST
OF THIS WORLD.
Psalm 1: 1: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, (these men were blessed
by God therefore they sought wise counsel in listening to Paul) nor standeth in the way of sinners, (these
men were blessed of God therefore they did not align themselves with the unbelieving Jews), nor sitteth in
the seat of the scornful. (these men were blessed therefore they heard Paul readily rather than scorning Paul
and Silas as those hardhearted rebels in Thessalonica) 2: But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in
his law doth he meditate day and night. (these men were blessed of the Lord therefore they searched the
scriptures, not looking for life in something they could do, but to rejoice that the scriptures did indeed
declared the same Christ preached to them.)
Acts 17: 11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica