1. Acts 17:11 (HCSB) were more open-minded 11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

2. Are You Open-Minded? Rethinking Biblical Open-Mindedness

3. The Two-Fold Nature of Biblical Open-Mindedness Receive the message with all readiness John 8:31-32 – To find truth, we must hear and seek truth. – cf. Matt. 7:7 (Prov. 23:23) Acts 7:51-54 – We do not want to be like those who despise truth. – cf. 2 Thess. 2:8-12 (note vs. 13-15) Search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so 1 Thess. 5:21 – Are we willing to prove all things by Scripture? – cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 1 John 4:1-6 – Do we carry a healthy dose of doctrinal skepticism? – cf. 1 Cor. 14:29 (Deut. 18:21-22)

4. Ancient Athens Emulated in Today’s Church Do we spend our “time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing”? – cf. Acts 17:16-21 “New” concepts on grace, faith and works “New” takes on worship, ministry and the work of the church “New” approaches to hermeneutics, study and doctrine

5. Ancient Athens Emulated in Today’s Church The challenge today is to be “renewed in the Spirit of our mind” … not seek that which is “new”! – Rom. 12:2 We must understand what the will of the Lord is – Eph. 5:17 We must not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine – Eph. 4:14-15 In all of this post-modernistic open-mindedness, let God’s people realize that there is a such a thing as truth (in contrast to error or lies), right (in contrast to wrong) and fact (in contrast to fiction)!

6. Ancient Athens Emulated in Today’s Church The warnings of old still apply today! 2 John 9-11 – What should we do with men who are bringing another doctrine? Gal. 1:6-11 – If an angel from heaven preaches a different gospel, how should we respond? Rom. 16:17-18 – How do we treat those who divide and offend contrary to the apostles’ doctrine? Tit. 3:10-11 – What must we do if one pursues error despite admonition?

7. John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

8. John 10:3-5 the sheep hear his voice the sheep follow him, for they know his voice they do not know the voice of strangers 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”