In Acts 19, some people try to use the power of the Holy Spirit for their own purposes. But the power of the Spirit only comes through belief in Jesus!
Scripture:
Leviticus, chapters 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts, chapter 19
Acts 19:11-20 (NASB):
God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, “I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!”
Now there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this. But the evil spirit responded and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit pounced on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. Also, many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they added up the price of the books and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing and prevailing mightily.
Observations: The Power of the Holy Spirit
Years ago, I read a comment (I don’t remember who said it) to the effect that the “Acts of the Apostles” should really be called “the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles,” because everything that happens is through the power of the Holy Spirit. From the Day of Pentecost forward, the disciples were transformed by the Holy Spirit. Before, they were afraid; now, they were bold. They struggled to cast out evil spirits, even when Jesus was with them, but now they were able to do so. That’s the context for today’s passage: God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. In fact, Paul didn’t even have to be present! Handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out
Seven Sons of Sceva
Well, as you might imagine, when other people saw this power, they tried to get it for themselves. This wasn’t the first time that happened. In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer asked to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter and John (Acts 8:18-19). Peter rebuked him, and Simon repented. But in today’s passage, the seven sons of Sceva didn’t try to buy the Holy Spirit; they just tried to use His power for themselves. Other Jewish exorcists also tried this, but Luke focuses on the seven sons of Sceva.
“I order you in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches!” On the face of it, that makes sense. They recognized the power in the name of Jesus, even though they didn’t acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. They knew that Paul cast out demons in the name of Jesus. So if they used Jesus’ name and Paul’s name, the demons would presumably respond to them just as they did to Paul.
But it doesn’t work that way! The Holy Spirit’s power came through those who believed in Jesus, not just those who used His name. There are no “magic words” to control spirits; only the power of the Holy Spirit can subdue them. And the seven sons of Sceva found that out. The evil spirit said, “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit pounced on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Comes Through Belief
Notice what the evil spirit said: “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?” The word translated recognize means to know, understand, or have knowledge of something or someone. The demon knew Jesus – knew who He was, and knew about His power. The demon did not know Paul, but he knew of him. This Greek word means to “be acquainted with” someone. So this particular demon did not know Paul the way that he knew Jesus, but he was acquainted with Paul – had “heard about” him.
But who are you? The demon didn’t know the seven sons of Sceva – even though they were apparently “Jewish exorcists.” Evidently, their reputation as exorcists did not extend to the demons! And that brings us back to the key point: the power of the Holy Spirit is available to those who believe, not just those who “know the right words.” Remember, Jesus Himself said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Application: The Power of the Holy Spirit Comes through Belief in Jesus
We need to remember that there are no “magic words” to control the spiritual world – not demons, and certainly not God. Those who claim that “all you have to do is say this” have completely missed what Jesus taught. It is not enough to say, “Lord, Lord”; we have to live so as to demonstrate that Jesus is Lord. And Scripture demonstrates repeatedly that saving faith is a belief that changes us. True belief in Jesus changes our actions and our attitudes. To paraphrase James, “You say you believe; show me your faith by how you live.”
So where does love come into this? Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Saying that we love Jesus without following His example and His teaching is like saying, “I command you to come out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” It’s not enough to just say it; we have to believe enough that His power transforms us. There are no “self-made Christians”; the only new creations are those whom Christ has created. And remember: “All things are possible for the one who believes” (Mark 9:23).
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding us that Your power is available to those who believe. That doesn’t mean that we have the power; it means that You demonstrate Your power through those who are surrendered to you. As our passage today says, You were performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. Help us to live in ways that reflect our faith in You. Use us for Your glory, that others may come to know You. Amen.
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