This week we are looking at Acts 19 – and noting the various ways the people of Ephesus

respond to the gospel of Christ when Paul presents it to them.

In today’s passage, God is continuing to work through Paul to perform miracles and heal

people. But others attempt to take matters into their own hands. In fact, we learn about some

exorcists trying to command spirits: Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also

attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits,

saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” (Acts 19:13)

And the evil spirit responds to the exorcist, and it does not go well: The evil spirit answered

them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” Then the man who had

the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that

they ran out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:15-16)

This caused quite a disturbance but resulted in more people believing in God: When this

became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became

afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. And many who had

become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices. In this way the word of

the Lord spread and prevailed. (Acts 19:17-18, 20)

This is quite the story! What can we learn from it? Three things:

• Copycat or fake Christians are quickly exposed. Saying the name of Jesus without really

knowing Him is obvious even to unbelievers.

• Your plans without God will not prevail. The exorcist attempted to do the same thing as

Paul, and it didn’t work.

• God’s plan will always prevail. In verses 11-12, God ministered through Paul. In verse

15, the spirit acknowledged that they recognized Jesus and Paul. And in verse 20, God

uses this story to advance His purpose and kingdom.

We all try to do things ourselves. We may even have some success with it. But how long does

that success last? And how does that success measure up on an eternal timeframe? And how

quick are we to acknowledge God’s hand in the work that we are able to do?

By Jason Grace



Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have

been active members at Immanuel for over 22 years. His service includes roles in the deacon

ministry, children's ministry, technical team, financial coaching, and leading Bible studies. He

loves traveling with his wife and family throughout the US.