November 15, 2025 -Catch the Counterfeit

ACTS 15:22-17:15

Chronological Bible Readings

^Acts17:10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. ¹² As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

The message of the Gospel was not being received well in Thessalonica, so it was time to move on. When they got to Bera they did what they normally do. They went to the Jewish synagogue and experienced a totally different response. The minds of the people were open and willing to listen. Their hearts were ready and eager to hear what Paul has preaching. They did not just passively enjoy a good sermon, they did what we are called to do. They searched the Scriptures day after day to be sure that the teaching that is being received was truth. Because it was truth they could not refute it and didn't even try because they were seeking truth. Anyone who is truly seeking truth when they hear it, they will believe and it will influence other around them. "As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men."

What can we learn from this. First as a witness if you are hitting opposition to the truth keep moving on until you find people who are being influenced by the Spirit to receive the truth. As teachers and preachers be sure that you are teaching and preaching truth from the scripture. As congregants and receivers of the message don't expect every word that comes from a teacher or leader to be truth until it is proven true from the word of God. Be sure that you are not deceived by a counterfeit message of the gospel as the Galatians were. The best way to know that a teaching is biblically true is to know the word of God. Be in it daily. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it. Remember that the best way to catch a counterfeit is to know the real thing so well that when a lie is presented it is blaringly obvious.