Acts 19:1-20
Today's Passage: Acts 19:1-20
Dualism is a heretical idea that God and Satan are having some form of cosmic arm-wrestling match that no one can seem to win. Sometimes God is winning; sometimes Satan is winning. You’ve probably even seen a terrible meme on social media regarding this thought.
Acts 19:1-20 blows this unbiblical worldview away as we see the power of God on full display against the forces of evil. First, the indwelling Holy Spirit came to these Ephesian believers and revolutionized their new walks with Christ, even despite attempts by some to undermine the ministry of Jesus and Paul. Second, there was much healing and victory over evil spirits through Paul (and even his hanky) because of the power of God at work in the apostle and his ministry.
One of the greatest stories in the book of Acts is the one found in verses 11-20 as some Jews who practiced the art of exorcism got the bright idea that they could match the power of the Holy Spirit. Attempting to invoke the name of Jesus on some demon possessed men, they quickly found out the power of evil as they wielded no authority over these spirits and found themselves naked and afraid.
Sometimes boxing matches end in a draw and you can’t tell if someone won or lost. This is not the case in this instance. These Jews went into the house with clothes on and came out without clothes on; a decisive indicator that they lost. Yet, despite this, the renown and fame of Jesus continued to spread and even those who practiced witchcraft and divination were converted.
Verse 20 is the key verse here: “so the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” That’s because we serve an unmatched and unstoppable God whose power goes far beyond human limitations and understanding. Never fall into the trap of thinking that God is somehow losing, for He will not and cannot because He has already won through Christ.
Celebrate today Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil through his death and resurrection! Thank God that He will never surrender His power or authority and will always reign as the undisputed Champion of creation!
Written By: Joe Weaver
Dualism is a heretical idea that God and Satan are having some form of cosmic arm-wrestling match that no one can seem to win. Sometimes God is winning; sometimes Satan is winning. You’ve probably even seen a terrible meme on social media regarding this thought.
Acts 19:1-20 blows this unbiblical worldview away as we see the power of God on full display against the forces of evil. First, the indwelling Holy Spirit came to these Ephesian believers and revolutionized their new walks with Christ, even despite attempts by some to undermine the ministry of Jesus and Paul. Second, there was much healing and victory over evil spirits through Paul (and even his hanky) because of the power of God at work in the apostle and his ministry.
One of the greatest stories in the book of Acts is the one found in verses 11-20 as some Jews who practiced the art of exorcism got the bright idea that they could match the power of the Holy Spirit. Attempting to invoke the name of Jesus on some demon possessed men, they quickly found out the power of evil as they wielded no authority over these spirits and found themselves naked and afraid.
Sometimes boxing matches end in a draw and you can’t tell if someone won or lost. This is not the case in this instance. These Jews went into the house with clothes on and came out without clothes on; a decisive indicator that they lost. Yet, despite this, the renown and fame of Jesus continued to spread and even those who practiced witchcraft and divination were converted.
Verse 20 is the key verse here: “so the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.” That’s because we serve an unmatched and unstoppable God whose power goes far beyond human limitations and understanding. Never fall into the trap of thinking that God is somehow losing, for He will not and cannot because He has already won through Christ.
Celebrate today Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil through his death and resurrection! Thank God that He will never surrender His power or authority and will always reign as the undisputed Champion of creation!
Written By: Joe Weaver
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