Casting out evil spirits!
Scripture reading for November 12: Acts 19-20
The Apostle Paul had begun his third missionary journey to reach those in the province of Asia. (Acts 18:23) He ended up in Ephesus where he found a group of twelve men who had been baptized into John’s baptism of repentance but had never heard about Jesus Christ. Paul gave them the Gospel of Jesus, told them about the Holy Spirit and then laid hands on them. The Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied! Thus the church at Ephesus was born and Paul ministered there for nearly three years. This event took place about 20 years after the first Pentecost!
Paul also spoke in the synagogue, as was his custom. He went to his own brothers, the Jews, first, and sought to win them to Jesus. This caused conflict so he left with the new disciples and went to the lecture hall of Tyrannus, and continued to preach there for two years. His ministry was so effective that all the Jews and Greeks in the whole province of Asia heard the Word of the Lord! (Acts 19:10)
The Lord had promised that signs will follow those who obediently preached the Gospel. (Mark 16:15-20) As Paul preached in Asia, God did extraordinary miracles through him as a help in winning the lost and confirming Jesus as the Christ. These miracles included healing and casting out evil spirits. (Acts 19:11-12) Handkerchiefs and aprons were taken from Paul and sent to the sick who were healed!
Paul’s preaching of Jesus and these extraordinary miracles caused some Jewish exorcists to imitate Paul’s methods. They tried to cast out a demon from a possessed man “in the Name of Jesus, Whom Paul preaches.” The demon spoke to them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-15) These seven exorcists were severely beaten by the demon possessed man! The word of this happening brought a revival of holiness. Fear seized the populace and they confessed their evil deeds, sorcery, and witchcraft. They publicly burned their books and charms and the Word of God spread and grew in power!
God’s power is no match against the powers of the Devil! Jesus told us that in His Name, we would cast out devils! We must know Jesus personally or end up like the seven. Demons know both Jesus and those who have Him as Lord! In His name, extraordinary miracles will follow the preaching of the Gospel and the ministry of those who obediently go! Be bold as you enter your mission field today!
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