Tag: Mark 16:15-20
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!
These signs accompany believers
Scripture reading for October 18: Mark 14-16
Mark’s Gospel tells of Jesus Christ serving, healing, casting out demons, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to His own people. Jesus particularly sought out those who were lost and willing to listen. He gathered disciples who would be willing to leave all, follow Him and learn His character and His ways. He is shown teaching them and then sending them out to practice what they learned. He would evaluate their work and encourage them as well as rebuking them when necessary. It is a Gospel of action: God in Jesus Christ acting to bring salvation to those who would receive it.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” …”Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His Word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:15-18, 20.
This Gospel’s closing words are a call to Jesus’ followers to continue the action of God. They were to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who would give them the power that was needed to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) Then they were to go and preach the Word. As they preached, they were to act under the authority of the Name of Jesus Christ. In His Name supernatural signs would accompany the preaching of the Word. Demons would be cast out and sick people healed. People would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak with new tongues. The disciples would have supernatural protection from attacks of venomous snakes or people trying to poison them.
These first disciples obeyed and went their way, preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick and demon possessed. Jesus Christ worked with them and signs followed their ministry. If you are seeking miracles, signs and wonders, the best place to find them is when you obey God’s command to go and preach! Are you ready to act in faith and experience the supernatural? These signs still follow obedient disciples!