October 8, 2025 - Acts 19-21

“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them” (19:11,12).  A most amazing text!  And one that needs to be handled carefully.  The report is a descriptive report, that is, a report of what happened, rather than a prescriptive one, which tells us what we should do or expect.   Luke does not say that we should, based on this report, then use handkerchiefs and aprons in this manner, only that in this instance, it happened thusly.  This is quite an unexpected and remarkable report, and one that reminds me that God is able to surprise us with the extraordinary and miraculous.

The seven sons of Sceva misinterpreted this event, thinking that they could simply articulate the words “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims” (19:13).  The possessed man jumped on them and beat the mess out of them.  The name “Jesus” is not a verbal magic formula, which can be used to conjure up spells or perform miracles simply by its articulation.  An important cautionary word here.

The story continues:  the riot in Ephesus, but many coming to faith; the plot against Paul in Greece; Eutychus falling asleep while Paul preached, falling to his death, and raised from the dead; Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders; and Paul finally making it back to Jerusalem and reporting in James’ house all that God had done; and then, Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem.  Let the people fight against Paul and his gospel. Let the authorities throw him in jail.  Let riots break out.  Opposition everywhere!  And yet, the gospel moves forward.  An amazing story!  The theme of the book of Acts!

Important is the cause for which

We assemble;

Thy light and blessed word can teach

That which we ought to do.

To build the Church of Christ our Lord,

The kingdom of his grace;

To spread the knowledge of his word,

In ev’ry land and place.   --Paul Henkel (1816)