[af_vet_1981]

I don't think CB is the one lacking understanding here.
...
Paul praised the noble Bereans because they studied the Scriptures to see if what was being preached to them was verified by Scripture - and it WAS.

1. A properly taught disciple walking in the Spirit can discern a false apostle. When I write "apostolic" I mean true, not false.
2. Paul did not praise the noble Bereans. Luke wrote Acts, not Paul. The Jews of Berea were more noble than the Jews of Thessalonica (or Thessaloniki if you prefer). Yet there were Jews in both Thessalonica and Berea who believed Paul's apostolic teaching that Jesus is Messiah. The Bereans were no more qualified judges of that apostolic doctrine than the Jews in synagogues are today. There are some Jewish communities which are more noble than others in their receptivity and love of the Hebrew Scriptures. Those in them really know Hebrew, and can conscientiously and nobly look up the same Messianic texts I understand while coming to different conclusions. They are not valid judges of apostolic teaching. The LORD Jesus Christ chose the Jewish Apostles and gave them his teaching and authority. Neither the Bereans, nor you, are qualified to judge apostolic doctrine. You either receive it or reject it, as is evidenced by one's works. Only the LORD himself, or other apostles, can judge apostolic doctrine. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

[boatbums]

Neither the Bereans, nor you, are qualified to judge apostolic doctrine. You either receive it or reject it, as is evidenced by one's works. Only the LORD himself, or other apostles, can judge apostolic doctrine.

The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the facts related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, and likely to be more and more so, who make the Scriptures their rule, and consult them accordingly. May all the hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind, and searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them are so. Matthew Henry's Commentary

I'm not asking anyone to believe what I say based on my own authority - I have none - but on the authority of the word of God. The Bereans were "more noble" than others because they received the gospel with eagerness and referred to the sacred Scriptures to ensure that they remained true to the teachings of God. If we are supposed to blindly accept the authority of others based on the claims they make for themselves, then why in so many places are we exhorted to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I Jn. 4:1) or "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matt. 7:15) or "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (I Thess. 5:21)? What do we have that enables us to do that if not the word of God?

What "qualifies" a person to judge Apostolic teaching? Was Paul wrong to confront Peter, "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision." (Galatians 2:11,12)?

Did Peter, as an Apostle, have absolute authority so that NO ONE could challenge his acts or teaching? Or was Paul justified in calling him out and exposing his duplicity? What gave Paul the authority to do that? Can only Apostles challenge other Apostles? DO you contend that we have living Apostles today? You either receive or reject that teachings of the Holy Spirit as they have been written down for us as our "rule of faith". No man has authority OVER the word, but must be in subjection to it as unto the Lord because it IS from God.

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (Luke 6:46-49)