BEREAN APPROACH
What is important
The Berean Approach emphasizes hearing, reading, and understanding the word of YHVH (God), then actively applying it to our lives. It is founded on the necessity of engaging with YHVH’s word—just as the prophets and apostles did—in its original context and meaning. (Apostolic Writings).
What is the Berean Approach?
The Berean Approach means verifying religious teachings and practices by researching them in authoritative resources, including multiple Bible translations and biblical study aids, to ensure understanding aligns with the intended scriptural message.
While research is common in education, in religious studies—especially in the Christian Church—few verify what is taught. Many accept church or synagogue teachings and worship practices as biblically sound without personal investigation. As a result, errors can pass down generations, supported by church materials rather than the Scriptures. The Berean Approach insists on confirming teachings through the Bible itself, highlighting its role as the ultimate authority. This approach promotes daily study, prayer, and meditation on the Bible’s message to accurately judge all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), especially biblical teachings and worship practices.
It serves as a reminder that the Scriptures are the authoritative source for all matters, not the Pastor, Rabbi, or Priest, and must be consulted daily “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructions in righteousness, that the man of Yehovah (God) may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16 -17).
The Berean Approach comes from Acts 17:11, where the Bereans are described as nobler than the Thessalonians because they not only received the word eagerly but also examined the Scriptures daily to confirm Rabbi Sha'ul's teachings.
The background of Acts 17:11.
Before his visit to Berea, the Apostle Paul traveled to Thessalonica (known today as Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece). Upon meeting the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul was very encouraged by how they embraced the Word of Elohim, and wrote this about them:
“For this reason we also thank Elohim without ceasing, because when you received the word of Elohim which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of Elohim, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13.
After leaving Thessalonica, the Rabbi Sha'ul and his team traveled to Berea (modern-day Greece) and taught the Bereans the word of YHVH. After encountering the Bereans, he was even more encouraged with the Bereans because when they heard the word of YHVH as taught by the Rabbi Sha'ul, they did something important that the Thessalonians did not do… they went back to the Holy Scriptures to confirm the teaching was in accordance with the word of YHVH Elohim. As a result, many Bereans became believers:
“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.
With thousands of Christian denominations teaching differing doctrines, the only way to avoid deception is to remain committed to studying and applying Yehovah’s word, living as Yehoshua HaMashiach did, building relationships with other earnest believers, and continually practicing the Berean Approach to confirm beliefs by all Scripture.
Adopt the Berean Approach—always confirm your beliefs with Scripture before accepting them.
By Rabbi HaTzair M. Francisco Arbas