Topical Encyclopedia
Geographical and Historical Context:Berea, known in modern times as Veria or Veroia, is a city located in the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. It is situated at the foot of the Vermio Mountains and near the Haliacmon River. In ancient times, Berea was a significant city in the Roman province of Macedonia, known for its strategic location and vibrant community.
Biblical Significance:Berea holds a notable place in the New Testament, particularly in the Acts of the Apostles. The city is most famously associated with the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys. After facing opposition in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, as recorded in
Acts 17:10-15.
Acts 17:10-12 : "As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true. As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men."
The Bereans are commended for their noble character and diligence in examining the Scriptures. Unlike the Thessalonians, who reacted with hostility, the Bereans approached Paul's message with openness and a commitment to verifying its truth through the Scriptures. This attitude of the Bereans has been lauded throughout Christian history as a model for how believers should engage with teachings and doctrines.
Cultural and Religious Context:Berea was a city with a significant Jewish population, as evidenced by the presence of a synagogue where Paul and Silas began their ministry. The city's openness to the Gospel message is highlighted by the conversion of both Jews and Greeks, including prominent women, which underscores the inclusive nature of the early Christian message.
Legacy and Influence:The Berean approach to Scripture has left a lasting legacy in Christian thought and practice. The term "Berean" is often used to describe individuals or groups who prioritize the study and verification of biblical teachings. This legacy is reflected in various Christian ministries and organizations that emphasize the importance of Scripture study and discernment.
Modern Berea:Today, Berea (Veria) is a city that retains its historical and cultural significance. It is a place of pilgrimage for many Christians who wish to connect with the early history of the Church and the missionary journeys of Paul. The city's ancient roots and biblical heritage continue to attract scholars, theologians, and believers interested in the rich tapestry of early Christian history.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Bereaheavy; weighty
ATS Bible Dictionary
BereaA city of Macedonia, not far from Pella towards the southwest, and near Mount Bermius. It was afterwards called Irenopolis, and is now called by the Turks, Boor; by others, Cara Veria. Paul preached the gospel here with success; the ingenuous Bereans examined his doctrine by the Old Testament scriptures, and many believed,Acts 17:10,14; 20:4.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A city of Macedonia to which Paul with Silas and Timotheus went when persecuted at Thessalonica (
Acts 17:10, 13), and from which also he was compelled to withdraw, when he fled to the sea-coast and thence sailed to Athens (14, 15). Sopater, one of Paul's companions belonged to this city, and his conversion probably took place at this time (
Acts 20:4). It is now called Verria.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BEREAbe-re'-a.
SeeBEROEA.
Greek
960. Beroia --Berea, a city of Macedonia...Berea, a city of Macedonia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Beroia
Phonetic Spelling: (ber'-oy-ah) Short Definition:
Berea Definition:
Berea, a
...961. Beroiaios -- Berean, a native ofBerea
... Berean, a native ofBerea. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: Beroiaios
Phonetic Spelling: (ber-oy-ah'-yos) Short Definition: belonging toBerea, Berean...
961a. Beroiaios -- Berean, a native ofBerea
... 961, 961a. Beroiaios. 961b . Berean, a native ofBerea. Transliteration:
Beroiaios Short Definition:Berea. Word Origin from Beroia...
4986. Sopatros -- "of a safe father," Sopater, a Christian from...
... 4985, 4986. Sopatros. 4987 . "of a safe father," Sopater, a Christian from
Berea. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Sopatros Phonetic Spelling...
Library
Thessalonica andBerea
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END THESSALONICA ANDBEREA. 'Now, when they had passed
through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica...
Berea and Athens
... Lesson 23Berea and Athens. [This chapter is based on Acts 17:11-34.] AtBerea Paul
found Jews who were willing to investigate the truths he taught....
The Ministry of Paul in Thessalonica,Berea, Athens, and Corinth.
... THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH. CHAPTER VII. THE MINISTRY OF PAUL IN THESSALONICA,
BEREA, ATHENS, AND CORINTH. AD52 TO AD54. After leaving...
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica andBerea.
... LECTURES LECTURE XIX. PAUL AND SILAS IN THESSALONICA ANDBEREA. Chap.
xvii.1-12. THE treatment which Paul and Silas had met with...
Acts XVII
... He also speaks of the these two brethren as if they constituted the whole company,
until they are about to leaveBerea, when Timothy is again mentioned....
Acts XVIII
... Jews that Jesus is the Christ." It will be recollected by the reader, that Silas
and Timothy, whose arrival is here mentioned, had tarried inBerea, and that...
The Acts of the Apostles
... gates to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Troas, whence he was directed by a vision to
pass into Europe, where he visited Philippi, Thessalonica,Berea, Athens and...
Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3
... "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night untoBerea:
who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews....
How Demetrius Eucerus Overcame Alexander and yet in a Little Time...
... 3. But when Demetrius was departed out of Judea, he went toBerea, and besieged
his brother Philip, having with him ten thousand footmen, and a thousand...
Second Missionary Journey
... of the converts and their ways of working. 3.Berea (Acts 17:10-14) was
a secluded inland city. It must have been somewhat of a...
Thesaurus
Berea (4 Occurrences)... called Verria. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BEREA. be-re'-a. See BEROEA.
Multi-Version Concordance
Berea (4 Occurrences). Acts 17
...Beroea (4 Occurrences)
... its existence at the end of the 4th century BC, and it is twice mentioned by Polybius
(xxvii0.8; xxviii.8). After the battle of Pydba in 168 BCBerea was the...
Beroe'a (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately, through the night, sent forth both Paul
and Silas toBerea, who having come, went to the synagogue of the Jews; (See...
Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... office of an evangelist (1 Timothy 4:14), and went with Paul in his journey through
Phrygia, Galatia, and Mysia; also to Troas and Philippi andBerea (Acts 17...
Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)
... and laid the foundations of a church (Acts 17:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). The violence
of the Jews drove him from the city, when he fled toBerea (Acts 17:5-10...
Thither (119 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night
untoBerea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews....
Sosipater (1 Occurrence)
... He is a "kinsman" of Paul, by which Paul means a Jew (Romans 9:3; Romans 16:11,
21). It is the same name as SOPATER (which see). "Sopater ofBerea" was one of...
Sopater (1 Occurrence)
... The father who saves, probably the same as Sosipater, a kinsman of Paul (Romans
16:21), a Christian of the city ofBerea who accompanied Paul into Asia (Acts 20...
Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... The apostle's relations with the churches of Philippi, Thessalonica, andBerea will
be found discussed under those several headings; here we will merely...
According (7613 Occurrences)
... such care, collected. I myself was allowed the opportunity of copying it
by the Nazarenes inBerea who use this volume. In which...
Resources
Who were the Bereans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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