Acts 19

Paul begins his third missionary journey in Antioch, moving through Asia Minor visiting some of the cities where he preached while on his first two journeys, and now he is in Ephesus (See map).

Chapter 19 can be broken down into three parts:
          1) Paul encounters disciples of John (19:1-10)
          2) Paul encounters false religion at Ephesus (19:11-22)
          3) Paul experiences violent opposition at Ephesus (19:23-41)

Here we will focus on the second section. Paul actually spends a good amount of time in Ephesus, and during that time "God was doing extraordinary miracles" through Paul (vs 11). Now there were traveling Jewish exorcists who saw that Paul was doing these extraordinary things in the name of Jesus. So they decided to try it out too, as if referring to that name was nothing more than some magic phrase (vv 13-14). You can imagine their surprise when the evil spirit answers back, through the man it was possessing, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" (vs 15). Then the spirit leaped on the exorcists and beat up all seven of them (vs 16).

Note: It's easy to see why Jesus would be known by demons, no surprise there. But Paul is known too! Paul's ministry was given to him by Jesus, so when he comes against demonic powers in the name of Jesus, they recognize him!

If you were in this story, would you be like Paul? Or like one of the Jewish exorcists? In other words, when you use the name of Jesus are you using it because you see others using it? Or are you using it because you know Jesus, and he knows you, and when others see you they know that you represent him?