In contrast with this domination by church rule, Paul commends the noble Bereans because “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” Acts 17:11. Nowhere do we see Paul asking the believers to accept doctrine on the basis of Apostolic authority, but rather he commended them for searching the Scriptures for themselves to confirm the truth of what they had been taught.
Kwa kutofautisha na utawala huu na utawala wa Kanisa, Paulo anawasifia Waberoya waungwana kwa sababu “walilipokea lile neno kwa uelekevu wa moyo, wakayachunguza maandiko kila siku, waone kwamba mambo hayo ndivyo yalivyo” Matendo 17:11. Hakuna mahali popote tunapomkuta Paulo akiwataka waumini kukubali mafundisho kwa msingi wa mamlaka ya Mitume, lakini badala yake aliwahamasisha kuyachunguza Maandiko wao wenyewe ili kuthibitisha ukweli wa mambo waliyokuwa wamefundishwa.