Who We Are

Who we are is not important.  What is important is hearing, reading, understanding the word of God, and applying it to our lives.  The Berean Approach is a ministry that is built on that premise....the necessity of hearing, reading, understanding, and applying the word of God as it was originally received and understood by the prophets of the Old Testament, and apostles of the New Testament.

What is the Berean Approach?

The Berean Approach is the practice of understanding and confirming religious lessons and practices by researching the subject matter using authoritative resources (a Bible, concordance, Hebrew and Greek Lexicon, and Expository Dictionary). Although this type of research practice is common in educational institutions, in regards to religious studies particularly within the Christian Church, very few people actually take time to research what has been taught. Instead, it is commonly assumed that the information taught by church leaders, as well as activities practiced during worship, is indeed biblically based and therefore approved and acceptable by God. In some situations, when incorrect teachings and worship practices are introduced, they are only passed down from one generation to another without ever being challenged to the writings of the Holy Scriptures. Some of these erroneous teachings and practices can be traced as far back as the first century with early church fathers.  Through an extension of this problem, countless Christian reference books, videos, and other materials  containing these same errors have been successfully promoted by some churches to justify their religious position and practices rather than allowing the Holy Bible to justify and judge their position and practices, and the accuracy of these reference books.  The Berean Approach ministry focuses on the literal acceptance of the Word of God with emphasis on allowing the Bible to translate itself.   The ministry promotes the daily studying, praying, and meditation on the message of the Holy Bible to accurately judge all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) especially Biblical teachings and worship practices.  It serves as a reminder that the Holy Bible IS 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 God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16 & 17).

The Berean Approach concept is taken from Acts 17:11, where we are encouraged to be like the Bereans who were more noble than the people of Thessalonica because the Bereans, like the Thessalonians, received the word of God from the Apostle Paul with all readiness of mind, but unlike the Thessalonians, the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to confirm Paul’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 today).  Upon meeting the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul was very encouraged by how they embraced the Word of God, and wrote this about them: 

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."   1 Thessalonians 3:13. 

After leaving Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul and his team traveled to Berea (modern day Greece) and taught the Bereans the word of God.  After encountering the Berean, he was even more encouraged with the Bereans because when they heard the word of God as taught by the Apostle Paul, they did something important that they Thessalonians did not do......they went back to the Holy Scriptures to confirm the teaching was in accordance with the word of God.  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.

Today, the Christian community is divided by over 33,000 distinct Christian churches (source: 2001 Encyclopedia of World Religion).  Not all of these churches preach the same Jesus, nor have the same Spirit, nor teach the same Gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4), but yet, each will claim to be a Christian church and have, and will continue, to deceive many people (see Matthew 24).  The only way to protect yourself from a deceiving spirit is to stay close to the God of biblical revelation through hearing and studying His word, applying it to your life (you must live it), have fellowship with other true believers, and practicing the Berean Approach as the early believers of the first century did. 

Become a true Berean and take The Berean Approach to confirm before embracing.  May God bless you and protect you as you continue to grow in faith, grace, knowledge and wisdom of our Savior Jesus Christ.  AMEN