The Way of Justice & Truth (10/3/23)
Acts 19
Freya
10/4/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
What Jesus stated in John 14:6-7 is what is shown in Acts 19 – both success and failures to what Jesus taught in John 14:10-14. Jesus explains and exemplifies to his disciples what it means to follow Him in Spirit and in truth with regard to belief in Him as the Messiah, how it works for them to act with authority, and the result of what happens in their exercise of faith and authority in His Name.
Paul's discipleship and actions exemplify fulfillment of the above requirements that bring about the signs, wonders and miracles associated with walking in the Way, the truth and the life. In the results, God's justice is executed; this is not necessarily the justice of man. With the sons of Sceva, there is a failure in fulfilling the three requirements outlined by Jesus. This failure is noted by the demoniac and the sons of Sceva had no authority. Out of the sons' of Sceva failure, the fear of the Lord fell upon all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. who saw the power in the name of Lord Jesus and many began to turn from worship of Greek goddess Artemis by renouncing their old life and ways to the truth through Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:21-41 enforces Paul's teaching in Ephesians 4:17-24. Through truth and justice in God's and man's kingdom, the Lord protected his apostle, his believing children and the Way. By reason, law and order, the riot caused by economic loss of the idol makers in Ephesus was ended by having the wrong people captured and the town clerk calming the roiling emotions and confusion coming from the crowd of Ephesians.
Your Thoughts…
Time for study, prayer and/or journaling the following:
What was the element that the sons of Sceva lacked that led to the failure of the exorcism? Why do you think this element was lacking?
What is the Holy Spirit's role in Acts 19? Where do you find the Holy Spirit working? What is the Holy Spirit doing?
Connect John 14:1-14, Acts 19 and Ephesians 4:17-24 in a more in-depth study. Pray for revelation and wisdom. What did you learn?
Take a look at your own faith walk and life. Why do many Christians today fail to walk in the Way that Jesus spoke of? Why have many of us not had signs, wonders and miracles?
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And [the incident with the sons of Sceva] became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
ACTS 19:17 (ESV)