Click here to go to Acts 19
I love reading about Paul's adventures. But the story I enjoy the most in this story of the seven sons of Sceva. (verses 13-16). The evil spirit's response "I know Jesus, I know Paul, but who are you!?!" It's a great reminder that we are the ones that have the relationship with God and we can't live through the faith of another.
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.
I also found it interesting that people years after his death, knew of John's baptism. We've seen that at least twice. As far as I know John didn't travel even as much as Jesus did and Ephesus would have been way out of the way.
Blessings all!
"35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. “Citizens of Ephesus,” he said. “Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. 36 Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.
ReplyDelete38 “If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges. 39 And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly. 40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.” 41 [f]Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed."
The Christians won hearts over to Jesus without violence and destruction. I think that is a very important example and is often overlooked.
Acts 19 The Message
ReplyDelete37 This is conduct unworthy of Artemis. These men you've dragged in here have done nothing to harm either our temple or our goddess.
Presenting Truth speaks not needing rebuttal, but speaks openingly and clearly.
Paul's mission as Christ's spokesman
2 Corinthians 2
14-15 But I thank God, who always leads us in victory because of Christ. Wherever we go, God uses us to make clear what it means to know Christ. It’s like a fragrance that fills the air. To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying.