Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 19
11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. 12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
13 A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. 15 But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.
Commentary:
19:11 God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. As previously in Acts, miracles opened the door for hearing the gospel and gave confirmation that God himself was working through Paul and his message (cf. notes on 3:1–26; etc.).
19:12 handkerchiefs or aprons. These were not magical objects. Rather, the Holy Spirit was pleased to manifest his powerful presence so strongly through Paul that the Spirit’s presence sometimes remained evident in connection with objects that Paul had touched (cf. note on 5:15). As had happened at Samaria (8:9–13), Cyprus (13:6–11), and Philippi (16:16–18), the powerful forces of pagan magic (19:19) and religion connected to demonic activity (vv. 12, 15; cf. 1 Cor. 10:20; Eph. 6:12) were confronted by the far more powerful work of the Holy Spirit ministering through Paul.
19:13 itinerant Jewish exorcists. There are records of extensive ceremonies and spoken formulas that Jewish people in the first century used to try to free themselves from the influence of evil spirits, but it is unlikely that these were very effective, since the people were astounded when Jesus was able to cast out demons with “authority and power” (Luke 4:36).
19:15–16 Not only was the name of Jesus important in casting out evil spirits, but so was true faith in Jesus on the part of the one uttering his name. Here, a “reverse exorcism” occurred, with the demon driving out the exorcists. Their nudity enhanced their humiliation.
19:12 handkerchiefs or aprons. These were not magical objects. Rather, the Holy Spirit was pleased to manifest his powerful presence so strongly through Paul that the Spirit’s presence sometimes remained evident in connection with objects that Paul had touched (cf. note on 5:15). As had happened at Samaria (8:9–13), Cyprus (13:6–11), and Philippi (16:16–18), the powerful forces of pagan magic (19:19) and religion connected to demonic activity (vv. 12, 15; cf. 1 Cor. 10:20; Eph. 6:12) were confronted by the far more powerful work of the Holy Spirit ministering through Paul.
19:13 itinerant Jewish exorcists. There are records of extensive ceremonies and spoken formulas that Jewish people in the first century used to try to free themselves from the influence of evil spirits, but it is unlikely that these were very effective, since the people were astounded when Jesus was able to cast out demons with “authority and power” (Luke 4:36).
19:15–16 Not only was the name of Jesus important in casting out evil spirits, but so was true faith in Jesus on the part of the one uttering his name. Here, a “reverse exorcism” occurred, with the demon driving out the exorcists. Their nudity enhanced their humiliation.
Questions:
- The demon responded to these posers by telling them he knew who Paul and Jesus were, but he had no idea who THEY were. Other people in those days might not have paid the names of Paul and Jesus much attention, but they were quite well known in the spiritual world. The demons knew Paul, and especially Jesus, VERY well. Do they know your name? Is your life making enough trouble for the unseen realm of evil that you're on their radar?
- From the mouth of a demon we learn the valuable lesson that Jesus will not allow His name to be reduced to a magical formula. God's name cannot be manipulated like other names, other spells. Jesus’s name is not that of a mere spirit but the name of “the Lord”, and these exorcists who do not obey him lack authorization to use his name, they had not relationship with him, didn't belong to him. In the same way, there are many people – many churchgoers – who will find themselves on the wrong side of eternity because they have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They might know his name, might even speak it, but they only know “the Jesus the pastor preaches” or “the Jesus my spouse believes in”, or the "Jesus my grandma prays to." But not the Jesus of their own salvation. Do you have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus? Or is your life merely filled with religious activity?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would live in a way that gets the attention of the spiritual world.
- That you would have an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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