This month our story starts out in Ephesus ( In the Western coast of Asia Minor which is modern Turkey—Ephesus was a major center of commerce and culture, with a large temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Diana) and they were known for sorcery)this story takes place during the church age in the New Testament during Apostle Paul’s ministry.
Acts 19:11-20
New International Version
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[a] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.
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In this section God through the Holy Spirit showed his divinity powerfully through miracles by the Apostle Paul’s hands so much so that those in the vicinity of Ephesus could not deny the Lord’s hand of holiness on him. Which was further confirmation of Jesus being the son of God. The Jews in the region understood that the
Divine -pronounced Roo'-akh (Ruach) HaKO desh was to come as the Torah from Psalm 51:11 foretold “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. “And Ecclesiastes did as well in chapter 12:7 “and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” God’s divinity & authority through Holy Spirit were further confirmed to be present at that time since Jesus Christ himself had also promised to send the comforter before he left, reference from John 14:6 “ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— “ And just prior to this time the proof of Holy Spirit fell on the believers at Pentecost. The miraculous things that were being done then by God through Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name included healings through handkerchiefs that Apostle Paul touched as well as deliverances by God, through Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ. Although Many Jews in the area that were not believers in Jesus Christ nor were they filled with the Holy Spirit mistakenly thought they too could cast out evil spirits invoking Jesus’ name. Including the seven sons of a Jewish Chief priest named Sceva. Who ended up finding out the hard way that even the even the evil spirits knew of the Lord Jesus’ divinity and authority as well as Holy Spirt and his sanctioned hand on Paul. When their attempt backfired on them. When the young men attempted to cast out a demon and an evil spirit did not recognize them as having Jesus’ spiritual authority and it jumped on them and overpowered them and left them naked and bleeding. And then the word spread, and the word of the Lord grew in power and many more believed, our text says even some that practiced sorcery now believed. Then these believers in this region brought their sorcery scrolls together and burned them. The total came to fifty thousand drachmas. (Some estimates suggest that this amount would be equivalent to approximately $4 million in today’s monetary value)
Then afterward Paul then decided to go to Rome. The divinity and authority of the Holy Trinity is proven not only through the miracles God accomplished through the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the region. But his sanctioned collaboration was also proven present at that time through Apostle Paul’s hands which reinforced the truth that the demons even recognize the Lord Jesus Christ and fear him. This principle is confirmed in RC Sproul commentary book on Acts “The Greek word pneuma not only means “spirit,” but it also means “wind” and “breath.” We find the same meanings in the Hebrew word ruah. At creation God breathed into man His own ruah, His breath, and man became a living spirit, a living ruah. From the beginning of the Scriptures in the Old Testament, the breath of God is associated with His life-giving Spirit. It is associated with the power of creation, the energy of divine operation. In the Greek New Testament, another word used to describe the work of God’s Spirit is dun a miss, from which we get “dynamite,” an explosive power.” (Acts, RC Sproul p, 24) It is further affirmed in the Commentary Acts book in section “ 2 ” The author writes “The demons were the first to recognize the true identity of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Jesus said that the exorcism of demons was the one sign that should have convinced everybody of His origin and of the significance of redemptive history: “If I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Jesus attached singular importance to the miracle of exorcising evil spirits as a sign and manifestation of the breakthrough of the supernatural kingdom.” ( Acts, p,186) And finally in Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary 3 also points it out referencing the Holy Spirit. “In the Old Testament, “wind/spirit” (Greek pneuma), “fire,” and ecstatic speech can point to the presence of the mighty acts of God and the accompanying prophetic spirit that interprets such acts. In this context, the arrival of this Spirit on God’s people signifies that they are “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49)…” ( Bible commentary from Baker, Chapter 2 expounds on this.) The divinity and authority of God’s Holy Spirit is proven to be real and true. Showing itself to be an undeniable manifestation of God’s supernatural presence on Earth and how during the time of Acts how Holy Spirit put his sanctioned hand on select people at that time. This reference from Luke 24:49 NIV verifies this as spoken by the Lord Jesus “ I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” This is a refence to the Holy Spirit’s presence on select believers at that time including the Apostle Paul once he was baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Which bring us to the Question of Duty
In Acts 19:11-22 NIV we see some Jews and the seven sons to Sceva misrepresenting themselves as followers of Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ. We not only see examples of deception, ignorance, hypocrisy and pride in verses 13 we read how” Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” As we know the word tell us the14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.” And were disappointed with the results. Today we see a divided church. A false gospel is being spread to a generation that is hungry for Biblical truths. Many church leaders have fallen into dangerous pitfalls instead of correcting their congregations for perpetuating deception and sin they apologize for scripture instead of standing on it. This demonstrates ignorance of the word as well as hypocrisy like the 7 sons of Sceva many churches in this day have not only turned away from integrity, righteousness & the truths the Bible was founded upon but the supernatural creator himself. And they invoke Jesus’ name being fooled by these same spirits of pride, deception, hypocrisy and ignorance. And then like the 7 sons wonder why Holy Spirit is not moving or providing miracles they are praying for in those same congregations. Thus, promoting spiritual apathy (laziness), apostacy (rebellion) and syn cretic values ( merging of religions) to take hold of a lukewarm church that aims to teach these new societal norms “newly” or so they say deemed “condoned by God” vs condemned by God. And like the unrecognized they except to see the finger of God move. Our duty should be repentance, correction & uniting of a church for the next generations without spot or wrinkle founded on Biblical truths.
Now we move to the Question of Character
This story reminds Christians of the importance of integrity in teaching the true Gospel. We see an example in this story of how important presenting a true undiluted, uncompromised Gospel is. But more than that we see the importance of recognizing the true character of God, his hand & righteousness. We see the Bible’s overarching theme to rescue, redeem and restore his people in a broken world back to a relationship with him repeated. Jesus & his apostles including Paul were willing to live humble lives in service living out these biblical truths and courageously die for them. They woke up every day to put themselves in harm’s way to deliver, heal & teach God’s true message. Jesus warned us in Luke 11:14-20 NIV “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” We also read that apostle Paul addresses this in Acts 15:1-2 “Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.” We see in our story how the character traits in the seven sons of Sceva are entrenched in ignorance, arrogance and pride but learn humility & integrity the hard way.
On to the Questions of Goals
In Acts 19:11-22 we are reminded about the importance of understanding and embracing an unfettered, untainted supernatural true Gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 3:1-8 we read “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit. “As Christians our goal should be becoming born again and once, we have received that assurance from God. Then our goal should be to pray and listen and let The Holy Spirit direct our steps in faith. 1 Corinthians 12:4 -6 reminds us “4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
And finally to the Question of Discernment
Again, Luke chapter 11: verses 18-20 NIV reminds about the need for discernment “18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” And Matthew 7:21-23 KJV further confirms this 21” Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Our story spells it out loudly for faithful Christians listening to what is being revealed about the true unfettered Gospel. In our story we know from Acts 19:11 NIV “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,” Christians need to recognize that yes there are evils and demons in this world, but we serve a supernatural Father, who still delivers, heals and works miracles in faith, the one true God. Discernment of the true Gospel comes into play as 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 warns us “ 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” He is talking about the little g god of this world, also known as Satan who works hard to keep the truth from the God’s children. But the Good news is Jesus died for us to restore our relationship to our heavenly Father. He accomplished it on the cross.
"... His innocent shed blood washed us clean in God’s eyes. Jesus was resurrected so that now, through faith, we can also be resurrected to a new life and therefore become a whole new creation! (See 2 Corinthians 5:17.) To put your trust in Jesus, simply ask Him to forgive your sins and invite Him into your heart. Give your entire life into His care! Are you ready to know Jesus in a personal way and accept Him as Savior? Or Perhaps you did but you stepped away or accepted lies from outside sources that say it's all about you and your works and your strength alone or you have become backslidden and fallen into enemy territory, God can heal you even deliver you but first we need to repent and ASK him to" Ask Holy spirit to convict your heart, ask the Lord which part of my life are you not Lord over and help me, forgive me and ask him to help you turn back to you.
Then pray a prayer of faith out loud "Lord Jesus,
I know You died for my sins. I believe it with all my heart and today I put my trust in You. Forgive my sins, wash me clean in Your precious blood. I give my life to You. I give You my dreams, my hopes, failures, and pain. I place my life into Your hands. Make me a brand-new person as You have promised, and in return I promise to follow You with my whole heart. In Your Name, Lord Jesus I pray, amen."
" Now that you have prayed and If Holy Spirit convicted you in your heart of your sins and you have repented and know Jesus personally, the Bible teaches the next step in our walk with God is called water baptism. Water baptism is a biblical ordinance given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “baptism” comes from the Greek word BAPTIZO which means to plunge into or submerge. It’s an action that means to be totally submerged in water. Baptism isn’t what saves us, but rather it’s an outward expression showing that our old life has been buried with Christ as we are submerged in the water. As we come up from the water, we show that we are raised with Him into a new life. Baptism expresses outwardly what we have received within and is therefore a defining moment in our faith." Now Rejoice and email us so we can help you find a local or online church, resources to help you on your path and with your God given purpose.
Credits
The Holy Bible scriptures at Bible Gateway
Excerpts
End section from 'Get To Know Jesus' from Lord of Hosts Church
Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary Burge, Gary M & Hill, Andrew. E Hill Grand Rapids, MI Baker Publishing Group, Second 2cnd Edition 2012 Credo eBooks Ebrary https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6MzE0MzU1NA==?aid=96753
Sproul, R.C. Acts, Wheaton, IL Crossway, 2010 EBSCO Ebrary https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=7f52b6e1-09d4-4b06-8b31 507ea1f045c4%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=630789&db=nlebk
Sproul, R.C. Acts Wheaton, IL Crossway, 2010 EBSCO Ebrary https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=7f52b6e1-09d4-4b06-8b31 507ea1f045c4%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=630789 &db=nlebk + Thank you- All honor praise and glory goes to our Heavenly Father directly thru our Lord Jesus Christ
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