Power to Deliver

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul's hands, so that even facecloths or work aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them. Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits saying, 'I command you by the Jesus Paul preaches!'.....'The evil spirit answered them 'I know Jesus, and I recognise Paul-but who are you?' Acts 19:11-15

When God moves on hearts to believe anything can happen. Facecloths and aprons were sufficient, such was the faith of the people. This was the Holy Spirit's doing not Paul's.

Paul had tried to share the good news with the Jews in the local synagogue but they slandered The Way (Jesus) so he moved on to the open Asians. However, the Jews thought they could touch the power without the experience and discovered that they were powerless, without authority.

The demon recognised Jesus and Paul but asked 'who are you?' In other words where is your authority. There is power in the name of Jesus when used by a believer.

This highlights the importance of having a vital relationship with Jesus personally. The exorcists found themselves beaten and stripped because the demon knew it's authority and also the lack of authority of the exorcists.

It is not enough to know about Jesus we must know Him, really know Him because we have spent time with Him. As a result of spending time we have authority to go and do. Amen!

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