As always, Paul went to the synagogue and preached there for three months. Presumably he took some breaks! Acts is very clear about the power and importance of preaching and arguing for the gospel, something that tends to be denigrated by some today.
Again, as always, there were those who objected and attacked the gospel. So Paul left and went to the lecture hall to continue his preaching. This went on for a further two years, and so a vast area had the chance to hear the gospel.
As well as preaching, "extraordinary miracles" were part of Paul's ministry. Today we so often seem to separate preaching and miracles, expecting only one or the other, but the Biblical pattern is for them to go together. We also see that handkerchiefs that touched him were taken to the sick and they were healed. Sometimes we can be overly intellectual in our approach, here is an example of something happening that we might consider a bit silly.
Driving out evil spirits was not an unknown phenomenon, but there is a world of difference between the real thing and the counterfeit. The sons of Sceva obviously noted that Paul was being much more successful than they were, so they sought to adopt the same "formula". They were in for a shock, for it is nothing to do with a formula, but about knowing Christ. So the sons of Sceva were beaten up by demon. This should also serve as a warning to us that using the "right words" in prayer is not the key to "success". Knowing Christ is the key.
The event with the Sons of Sceva lead to more people honouring the Lord. It also filled believers with fear that led to repentance, getting rid of scrolls associated with sorcery.
Paul then left, aiming to go to Jerusalem, and then Rome.
Again, as always, there were those who objected and attacked the gospel. So Paul left and went to the lecture hall to continue his preaching. This went on for a further two years, and so a vast area had the chance to hear the gospel.
As well as preaching, "extraordinary miracles" were part of Paul's ministry. Today we so often seem to separate preaching and miracles, expecting only one or the other, but the Biblical pattern is for them to go together. We also see that handkerchiefs that touched him were taken to the sick and they were healed. Sometimes we can be overly intellectual in our approach, here is an example of something happening that we might consider a bit silly.
Driving out evil spirits was not an unknown phenomenon, but there is a world of difference between the real thing and the counterfeit. The sons of Sceva obviously noted that Paul was being much more successful than they were, so they sought to adopt the same "formula". They were in for a shock, for it is nothing to do with a formula, but about knowing Christ. So the sons of Sceva were beaten up by demon. This should also serve as a warning to us that using the "right words" in prayer is not the key to "success". Knowing Christ is the key.
The event with the Sons of Sceva lead to more people honouring the Lord. It also filled believers with fear that led to repentance, getting rid of scrolls associated with sorcery.
Paul then left, aiming to go to Jerusalem, and then Rome.
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