Word for the Week...SEPT.19---25 / 2005

(v.11)"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul.(v.12)So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs, or aprons, and the diseases departed fom them, and the evil spirits went out of them.(v.13)Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the Name of the Lord Jesus, saying, we adjure thee by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.(v.14)And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.(v.15)And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?(v.16)And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.(v.17)And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified."  

 It is the Annointing that breaks the yoke of the enemy(Isaiah :27),Jesus and Paul both had This Annointing of The Holy Spirit, but the Jewish exorcists did not!As we are aware, Paul was a tentmaker;(Acts 18:3) and the aprons or handkerchiefs were articles of clothing used in Paul's trade.Remember the woman with the issue of blood?.."she said within herself,if I may but touch his garment I shall be whole";Matt.10:21). .Travelling Jewish exorcists were common in the ancient world.in antiquity the name of a person or of a deity was thought to have special power that could control the person concerned, if the name were used in the right way. Witnessing the miracles done by Paul in the name of Jesus,The Jewish exorcists attempted to use the NAME In the practice of their magical spells, with disastrous results! What was clearly lacking was the RELATIONSHIP with The Holy Spirit, that Jesus and Paul experienced.There is no High Priest known by the name of Sceva, the men may have made a false claim to the priesthood.Luke simply reported their claim.Let us ever seek to be true witnesses to His Saving Power and walk in the footsteps of Jesus and Paul.Remember...'One with God is a Majority!'.May The Lord Bless you.

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