Christian Nobility

On his second missionary journey, Paul left Philippi where Lydia and the Philippian jailer were converted and went to Thessalonica. Having arrived in the city, Paul entered the synagogue to announce to the Jews the good news that the prophesied Christ had come and established the kingdom of God. For three consecutive Sabbaths, he preached in the synagogue and converted several Jews and many of the God-fearing proselytes, including some of the chief women of the city.

His success stirred the jealousy of the Jews. Rather than taking the Scriptures and showing Paul where he was preaching that which was not true, the Jews in Thessalonica arranged for some of the wicked men of the city to create a disturbance aimed at Paul. Not finding Paul in the house of Jason, they dragged Jason to the rulers of the city and brought false charges against him. The Christians saw that Paul must leave Thessalonica. During the night, they helped Paul leave the city. He went to Berea.

He found a different audience in Berea. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Their nobleness did not consist in their birthright, wealth, or position in society. Luke describes what constituted their nobility: they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. True nobility still has these attributes.

True Nobility

True nobility requires a ready mind to receive the word of God. The word of God is not to be forced upon unwilling minds. The Lord himself taught, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matt. 7:6). Sometimes we waste our time trying to reach those who make perfectly obvious that they have no interest in the “pearl of great price.” The Lord’s instructions teach us to turn from such people and search for those who are good and honest in heart. We cannot and should not “cram the gospel down the throats” of those who are not interested.

True nobility requires that we test the message which is taught. That which will free us from sin is the truth (Jn. 8:32). False doctrine and error will lead one away from God. Jesus said, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14). We do not want to be “blind followers” of “blind leaders.” Consequently, we must beware of false teachers. Jesus taught us to “beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15). John instructed, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).

The Bereans had learned this concept. Consequently, when Paul came to Berea, they listened to his preaching and “tried the spirit” to see if the things taught were so. The truth will shine where such attitudes prevail.

A New Spirit

A new spirit is growing among us. This spirit fears and hates controversy. This spirit does not want preaching which contrasts the false doctrines of denominationalism with the truths of Scripture. This spirit will not listen when someone challenges the teaching of another. This spirit views opposition to the teaching of certain revered men as a work of the flesh. This spirit is unwilling to provide for open discussion of issues on which brethren differ. This spirit is the seed bed for false doctrine!

Some among us have described those who expose both the false doctrines which circulate among us and those who teach them as “professional buzzards” who “circle, swoop, and devour.” They have been maligned with loving an argument, being contentious, and self-promoting. They are belittled and maligned because they have exposed the false doctrines on divorce and remarriage which are taught publicly by well-known preachers. The effect of such treatment of brethren is to discourage the spirit of trying the spirits to see whether or not what is taught is the truth.

The devil has succeeded in deluding a number of brethren into thinking that “true nobility” consists in rising above controversy. The devil teaches that “true nobility” means avoiding the brotherhood fights. The devil has persuaded some into thinking that a lower class of brethren engage in debates over such issues as divorce and remarriage, institutionalism, baptism, apostasy, etc. Men who engage in debates are viewed as factional know-it-alls who are going around looking for a fight as opposed to searching for the truth and contending for the faith.

That the devil has succeeded in redefining true nobility is ironic. He has made many believe that true nobility consists in exactly the opposite of what God considers to be the marks and traits of a noble character.

Conclusion: Let us revive the traits of true nobility. Because of our respect for the truth which frees us from sin, let us treasure it above all else. Let us pursue it. Let us examine everything which calls itself truth in the light of the Scriptures. Let us show no respect of persons in “trying the spirits” (1 Jn. 4:1). None of us is infallible but God’s Word is infallible. Let God’s Word be truth and every man a liar (Rom 3:4). False doctrine cannot long survive in the hearts of those who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”