19:16
The demon demonstrated its disdain for the so-called exorcists in a very real manner, by causing the man to jump on them, beating them up, and sending them out of the house running naked. There are several things to learn from this. One is that demons are real. Not every illness, physical or mental, are demon related, but some are. The second is that it is faith and obedience that count, and the third is that casting demons out is a normal part of Christian ministry.
19:17,18
The Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus learnt of what had happened and were seized with fear. So they honoured the name of Jesus, but for some this honouring was purely superficial, but for others it went deeper. This latter group came and confessed their sins. Repentance and confession of sins is a real sign of faith, indeed an essential sign. The gospel is Christ centred. It is Christ centred in terms of meaning all the benefits of the gospel come through Christ, but is also Christ centred in that it turns us towards Christ, we submit to Him. If all we are interested in are the benefits, then we have not grasped the gospel. Moreover, being devoted to Christ as our Lord is itself an enormous benefit.
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