I would like to add some understanding to the account in Acts 17 concerning the Jews and Greeks of Berea that heard the word of God that Paul preached. First, they were very receptive to hearing and receiving the word that Paul preached to them and many of them believed upon Christ. The searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many have used this part of the account (in bold italic) as a test to be used concerning what is being preached. In other words, they searched the scriptures to see if what was preached to them was supported and confirmed by the scriptures. That is not the implication nor the application of what they did. Paul went to the synagogue to preach, so we can assume that they had at least the scriptures concerning the law of Moses and probably some writings from the Prophets.
Those in Berea had heard something of Paul and his ministry and had not been poisoned against him, explaining why they were more noble and ready to receive the word of God from him. So they had the scriptures already but did not understand them concerning Christ. Paul probably spoke from the scriptures they were accustomed to and gave them understanding concerning Christ. When they received this word from Paul, they went and searched the scriptures they had, not to confirm that what he preached was true but to see if this understanding about Christ is what stirred their hearts to believe. They were not comparing the preaching to the scriptures, they wanted more of the understanding that Paul had given them concerning Christ. The more that they searched that out in the scriptures the more they believed. Those that believed never doubted of debated what was preached to them. I hope this can be understood in the grace of God and remove some of the skepticism we have of those that God has raised up to preach and teach the word and doctrine.
Those in Berea had heard something of Paul and his ministry and had not been poisoned against him, explaining why they were more noble and ready to receive the word of God from him. So they had the scriptures already but did not understand them concerning Christ. Paul probably spoke from the scriptures they were accustomed to and gave them understanding concerning Christ. When they received this word from Paul, they went and searched the scriptures they had, not to confirm that what he preached was true but to see if this understanding about Christ is what stirred their hearts to believe. They were not comparing the preaching to the scriptures, they wanted more of the understanding that Paul had given them concerning Christ. The more that they searched that out in the scriptures the more they believed. Those that believed never doubted of debated what was preached to them. I hope this can be understood in the grace of God and remove some of the skepticism we have of those that God has raised up to preach and teach the word and doctrine.