Why isn't there a book to the Bereans, and why isn't there more mention of them in the N.T. since they were "of more noble character than the Thessalonians"? I would have thought Paul would have sent them a letter? -- K.N.

There may well have been a letter to the Bereans. Paul mentions a number of letter he wrote that are not in the NT. (e.g. Col 4:16). It is likely that in the NT we have only a fraction of the apostolic letters that were written.

As for the Berean's nobility, the point being made (I think) is that the Bereans did not riot! Consider the civic disturbance and Jewish-instigated rioting in Macedonia (Acts 16-17). Berea [or Beroea] was a smaller town, not quite a backwater, but certainly overshadowed by Thessalonica. (You will also get this impression if you visit the area today -- now part of Greece -- since there is little to see of biblical archaeological interest in Berea [modern Veria or Veroia], in contrast to Thessalonica [Saloniki].) So I'm not sure it's as fine a point as we may think.

Since their town was small, even in Paul's day, one would not expect their influence in Christianity to rival that of the Romans, Antiochenes, Ephesians, et al. We do, however, later hear of an important leader who accompanied Paul, Sopater the Berea (Acts 20:4).

Of course their fine character entailed more than a bare negative (not rioting)! They took time to think through the basis and implications of what Paul was saying, confirming his teachings against their Bible (probably the Greek Old Testament called the Septuagint). I would think that this was true of many communities, not just Berea.

Their fine example (Acts 17:10-11) continues to inspire seekers and believers alike, and I hope to live worthy of their spiritual legacy. Let's all be Bereans!

This goal is a central part of the International Bible Teaching Ministry, so I appreciate your bringing up your question. One more thing: you might also benefit from the short series How The Bible Came to Be, five audio lessons in all (with notes).