PAUL CONFRONTS EVIL SPIRITS

1.  Encounter With a Sorcerer (Acts 13:4-12) 

     A. Fighting the Christian Faith (Acts 13:4-8) 

     B. Demonstrating the Lord’s Power (Acts 13:9-12) 

2.  Confrontation With a Fortune-Teller (Acts 16:16-18) 

3.  Christ Exalted Through Supernatural Manifestations (Acts 19:11-20) 

     A. Extraordinary Acts (Acts 19:11-12) 

     B. An Evil Spirit’s Question (Acts 19:13-16) 

     C. Powerful Effect (Acts 19:17-20) 

Central Truth: Every evil spirit is subject to the power and authority of Jesus Christ. 

Focus: Affirm that evil spirits are subject to Jesus Christ and that we should worship Him as Lord. 

Evangelism Emphasis: By His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ gained victory over sin for all who will trust in Him. 

Text: “Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour” (Acts 16:18). 

INTRODUCTION 

Jesus came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). He selected twelve apostles and sent them out in pairs, and “gave them power over unclean spirits. . . . And they cast out many devils” (Mark 6:7, 13). Throughout the Gospels and the Book of Acts, Jesus and His disciples are engaged in spiritual warfare of the most personal kind. The Apostle Paul declared, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12). Paul used wrestling as a metaphor for spiritual warfare. Greco-Roman wrestling was an intimate struggle in which opponents engaged each other face-to-face, skin-to-skin, with each wrestler tasting the sweat of his opponent. Spiritual warfare is an intimate struggle for the soul of the oppressed. 

In the Gospels, there are eight accounts of Jesus casting out demons (including four in the Book of Mark—1:23; 5:1-20; 7:24-30; 9:14-29; Matt. 9:32-34; 12:22ff; Luke 8:2; 13:10-17). The Gospels also record the disciples being empowered to cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15; 6:7; Luke 9:1, 40; 10:17-20). Jesus declared, “These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). 

The Greek word for demon is daimónion. To be oppressed, or tormented, by a demon is daimonízomai (to be demonized). Sometimes demons are called “unclean spirits” (Matt. 10:1; Luke 4:33; Acts 5:16); “evil spirits” (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12); and “seducing spirits” (1 Tim. 4:1). Demons are personal spirit beings, likely fallen angels who were cast out from heaven when they rebelled against God (Rev. 12:4, 7-9; cf. Luke 10:18). In continued rebellion against God’s kingdom, they dwell in the inhabited earth for the purpose of tormenting and deceiving humankind. Manifestations of demonization might include a deranged mind, self-mutilation, increased physical strength, strange vocalizations, illness, and physical disabilities (Mark 5:2-5; 9:17-29; Luke 13:10-17). 

Through the years, some Pentecostal/Charismatic believers have misunderstood the work of demons in ways that resemble superstition rather than the revelation of inspired Scripture. Some people believe demons are to blame for every bad thing, while others believe all things have a scientific explanation. Christians must practice spiritual discernment (1 Cor. 12:10; 1 John 4:1), and take medical science seriously. In most cases, mental illness is not demonic, but the result of chemical imbalances or emotional trauma; and most physical illnesses are not demonic, but biological. But there are afflictions that are beyond scientific explanation. 

1. ENCOUNTER WITH A SORCERER  

A. Fighting the Christian Faith (Acts 13:4-8) 

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.  

Barnabas and Saul were ordained as apostles (missionaries) by the church at Antioch and “sent forth by the Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:2-4). They soon arrived on the island of Cyprus and made their way to Paphos, a port city on the southwest coast of the island that was popular as the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. Paphos was also the provincial capital. The “deputy” (Roman proconsul) of the province was Sergius Paulus, who was known as a “man of intelligence” (v. 7 NASB). Sergius Paulus was born of a prominent Roman family and would have been educated by Rome’s finest tutors. Apparently, he had heard reports about the message Barnabas and Saul were proclaiming and summoned them to an audience so that he might “hear the word of God.” 

Among Sergius Paulus’ administrative officials was a Jew named Elymas Bar-jesus (or Elymas, the son of Jesus”). There is no suggestion here that “Elymas was a relative of the Lord Jesus Christ. The name Jesus (which means “God is my Savior”) was popular among Jewish families. To name a child “Jesus” signified hope in the coming rule of God. So, there would have been many Jewish men known as “Bar-jesus.” 

Elymas Bar-jesus was a sorcerer and false prophet. The Greek word translated as “sorcerer” means “magician.” In the polytheistic world of the ancient Near East, magicians served as counselors to rulers (Gen. 41:8; Ex. 7:11; Dan. 2:2). Also, they were often employed to protect their patrons from illnesses and magic spells from enemies. Magicians were known to practice “witchcraft” (Gal. 5:20), which was to use drugs, or potions, in an effort to control others. Magicians sought to gain supernatural knowledge, especially about the future. Elymas is called a “false prophet” (Acts 13:6)—one who speaks in the name of false gods, or uses the name of God for the purposes of deceit and manipulation (Deut. 13:1-5; Ezek. 22:28; Matt. 7:15-23). 

Jews were expressly forbidden to practice magic, or to engage a magician for any purpose under penalty of death (Deut. 18:10-12; Mal. 3:5). The practice of magic was associated with idolatry, which, in the case of Elymas, was most likely devotion to Aphrodite. In all of this, the powers of the magician were essentially demonic (1 Cor. 10:19-20; cf. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). As a magician and false prophet, Elymas opposed the work of Barnabas and Saul, and sought to turn Sergius Paulus from faith in Jesus Christ. 

Spiritual Discernment 

The discerning of spirits is made possible by the Holy Spirit and involves the whole range of spiritual powers present in a given situation. Through intense illumination, the Spirit enables a believer to discern what is in the human heart and what is truly of the Holy Spirit among God’s people.—French Arrington 

B. Demonstrating the Lord’s Power (Acts 13:9-12) 

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. 

Saul now becomes known as Paul. From this point on, he will be known by his Roman name instead of his Jewish name. This signifies Paul’s transition from evangelist to the Jews, to missionary to the Gentiles. To speak of Paul as being Spirit-filled (v. 9) could be a reference to his initial infilling (9:17-18), or it could be speaking of a subsequent empowerment of the Spirit occasioned by Paul’s confrontation with Elymas. In either case, the purpose is to make a distinction between Elymas, who is demonically empowered; and the Apostle Paul, who is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul “set his eyes” on Elymas. This is more than a glaring stare; Paul is seeing “in the Spirit”; that is, Paul is discerning the spirits. 

Whereas Elymas is a false prophet, Paul is an authentic prophet and is about to tell the truth about Elymas. In so doing, he accurately describes the nature of a false prophet. Elymas is “full of all deceit and fraud” (13:10 NASB). His magical powers may be convincing to those who are superstitious and naïve, but his signs of power are as fraudulent as were the tricks of the magicians of Egypt (Ex. 7:11-12). Elymas Bar-jesus may share the name of the Lord Jesus, but he is in no way a follower of the Lord; rather he is a “son of the devil.” This designation reveals the source of his powers, the allegiance of his heart, and the purpose of his signs and wonders. Elymas is the “enemy of everything that is right and good” who perverts “the straight paths of the Lord” (Acts 13:10 Amp.). His doctrine does not lead men and women to the truth of the Gospel, but to a path of destruction. 

After Paul correctly discerns Elymas, he declares, “The hand of the Lord is upon thee” (v. 11). The Greek word translated “upon” is epí, which signifies opposition in a judicial context (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament). In other words, in the same way Moses pronounced judgment against the pharaoh of Egypt (Ex. 3:20; 7:4; 9:15), Paul pronounced judgment against Elymas: “The hand of the Lord is against you!” The penalty for Elymas’ darkened heart is blind eyes. He has been spiritually blind, leading others into blindness and spiritual darkness (Matt. 15:14), and he will experience temporary physical blindness, “not seeing the sun for a season” (Acts 13:11). This could signify an act of mercy. After all, the purpose of divine judgment is to provoke repentance (1 Cor. 11:32; Heb. 12:4-11). Also, it is ironic that Paul pronounces the same judgment on Elymas that he suffered at his conversion; both were blinded and had to be led around by the hand (Acts 9:8; 13:11). This may be evidence of Paul’s hope for the sorcerer’s repentance and conversion. 

Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, is so astonished by what has happened and by the doctrine of the Lord taught by Paul and Barnabas, that he believes and is converted. His conversion is significant for several reasons. As a “man of intelligence” schooled in the philosophies and sciences of the Greco-Roman world, his conversion demonstrates the superiority of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). The conversion of a Roman aristocrat would embolden the status of believers from marginalized socioeconomic groups. He was the first recorded Roman official to become a Christian and, therefore, the first Christian governor. 

2. CONFRONTATION WITH A FORTUNE-TELLER (Acts 16:16-18) 

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 

In this story we find Paul with Silas, Luke, and Timothy in Philippi, which was a major Roman colony. It is the first place the Gospel was preached in Europe (v. 13). As the missionary party is going to a place of prayer, they are confronted by “a slave-girl having a spirit of divination” (v. 16 NASB). As Luke tells the story, he wants his readers to understand the condition of this girl as being doubly bound: she is bound by her socioeconomic status as a slave, and she is bound by a demonic spirit. Although the text reads as if she possesses the demonic spirit; in fact, it is the demonic spirit that has her doubly bound. She is bound by a “spirit of divination.” 

The Greek word translated as “divination” is puthōn, which signifies this girl was a prophetess of the Greek sun god, Apollo. The word puthōn is also used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) in references to mediums—those who consult with ghosts or spirits (Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:10-11; 1 Sam. 28:7). It was believed that the utterances of those who practiced divination were beyond their conscious control (F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts). The slave-girl’s particular ability seemed to be fortune-telling. Apparently she was very convincing, since she was making her masters wealthy. In effect, her patrons believed she spoke with the voice of Apollo. 

For several days the demonized slave-girl harassed Paul and his missionary party by incessantly crying out, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17 NASB). At first glance, it appears she is speaking the truth, but she is actually causing great confusion. From her perspective, and the perspective of her polytheistic Greco-Roman audience, the greatest god was Apollo. She was claiming that Paul and his fellow travelers were servants of Apollo, and the salvation they were proclaiming was in the name of Apollo. 

She harassed Paul’s missionary party for days, which would have hindered their efforts in teaching about Christ. Paul became “greatly annoyed” by her behavior, turned toward her, and commanded the demonic spirit to “come out of her” (v. 18 NASB). Paul, speaking “in the name of Jesus Christ,” declared the power and authority of Christ over the demonic spirit and the pseudo-god Apollo. The slave-girl was immediately delivered as the demon “came out at that very moment” and the voice of Apollo was muted (v. 18 NASB). 

A few years later, Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil. 2:10 NASB). Just as Pharaoh discovered the Egyptian gods were powerless against the living “I AM” of Israel, the Greco-Roman world would discover their gods were powerless against the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. The story of the slave-girl ends abruptly. But this we know—she was bound, and Jesus set her free. 

Testimony of Deliverance 

A testimony from the Church of God Evangel (April 11, 1914): One young woman, a “medium,” performed great signs and wonders (Acts 16:16). As the writer and others saw her yield herself to the demon powers, his heart went out in sympathy for her and thousands of others under the same power (2 Kings 21:16). I could see she was not happy. She said it was something like the feeling of one coming in contact with a serpent, the dark powers of the demon world tracing through her very being forcing her to do things against her will. She confessed that she was under control of this awful power and wanted to be delivered from it. 

We read to her from Acts 16:16-18 how she could be delivered through Jesus’ name. She broke down weeping. The demon was cast out in the name of Jesus (Luke 10:17). She fell seemingly lifeless, then came up shouting the victory, her face shining with the love of Jesus. She was saved and sanctified, and is now tarrying for the Holy Ghost. 

3. CHRIST EXALTED THROUGH SUPERNATURAL MANIFESTATIONS 

A. Extraordinary Acts (Acts 19:11-12) 

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 

As Paul continued his missionary travels, he eventually arrived in Ephesus (v. 1). Ephesus was the chief commercial center of western Asia Minor. It was renowned for the temple of Artemis (aka, Diana), the moon goddess who was worshiped as the fertility goddess in Ephesus. She was the twin sister of the sun god, Apollo. The temple of Artemis was so magnificent that it is considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Because it was the primary banking institution of Asia Minor and it drew thousands of pilgrims to the city each year, it was vital to the economic prosperity of Ephesus (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). Paul’s missionary activities in the city continued for two years. Due to the prominence of Ephesus and the thousands of pilgrims who came to visit the temple of Artemis each year, “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (v. 10). 

Paul’s ministry at Ephesus was especially fruitful in healings and exorcisms. In writing the narrative, Luke is careful to point out it was God, not Paul, who performed “extraordinary miracles” (v. 11 NASB). Paul was the obedient servant through whom God worked. The manner in which the miracles were performed was extraordinary. Small pieces of cloth (“handkerchiefs or aprons”) that had touched Paul’s body were carried to the sick and they were healed. This is reminiscent of the story of the woman with the issue of blood who pressed behind Jesus and touched His garment, saying, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole” (Mark 5:28). It appears that, in both cases, there was a physical transmission of the healing power of the Holy Spirit. Not only were people healed of diseases, but they were also delivered from evil spirits. Following this example, Pentecostals have often anointed pieces of cloth with oil and sent them to the sick to effect divine healing. 

Miraculous Healing From Brain Damage 

In Marseilles, France, a ten-year-old boy fell from a tree. A piece of a tree limb lodged in his skull. The doctors said they could remove the limb, but the boy would either die or suffer permanent brain damage. He would be like a vegetable and have very limited brain function. 

The mother brought her child to church for prayer. When the saints prayed, the skull snapped into place, and the brain damage was repaired. This miracle of healing has been a great blessing to the mission at Marseilles.—Andre Weber, Church of God Missionary to France 

B. An Evil Spirit’s Question (Acts 19:13-16) 

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 

Paul’s fruitful ministry was gaining much attention throughout Ephesus, especially the exorcisms he performed in the name of Jesus. Everyone who witnessed Paul exorcize a demon was becoming aware of the power in the name of Jesus Christ. Throughout the ancient Near East, there were many traveling Jews who practiced magic and exorcism (as the previous story demonstrates). 

A Jew named Sceva, along with his seven sons, were notorious magicians. Sceva claimed to be “chief of the priests” (v. 14), but there is no historical evidence that he was high priest of the Jerusalem Temple. It is more likely that, as a traveling charlatan, he branded himself as a noteworthy priest in order to generate business (L. T. Johnson, The Acts of the Apostles). Sceva and sons attempted an exorcism using the name of Jesus in their incantation rite: “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth” (v. 13). Sceva and sons were frauds on two points: they were not a Jewish priestly family, and they were not disciples of Jesus Christ. The evil spirit discerned their fraudulent activity and challenged them: “Who are ye?” Demons are intelligent beings. The demon knew of Jesus and Paul, but Sceva and his sons were nobodies. Then the demonized man attacked and overpowered them. They had to run for their lives, impotent and humiliated. 

The name of Jesus is powerful, but the Lord will not allow His majestic name to be used in fraudulent ways. Only those who are disciples of Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit have authority over the forces of darkness. 

• What does this passage reveal about praying in the name of Jesus? 

C. Powerful Effect (Acts 19:17-20) 

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 

In Ephesus, religion was money. There were a lot of magicians, false prophets, and idolatrous priests using the names of various gods to make a profit. Even so, through the authentic ministry of the Apostle Paul, the name of Jesus was magnified above all others. In one of the most idolatrous cities of the ancient world, “the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ] was growing greatly and prevailing” (v. 20 Amp.). Many who had been practicing the magic arts believed in Jesus, confessed their sins, and destroyed their magic books. This story gives us insight into how to discern authentic Christian ministry: The name of Jesus Christ is magnified above all others, and unbelievers are compelled to believe and repent. Authentic ministry is not about showmanship; it’s about deliverance. 

• What type of items considered valuable should Christians discard today? 

THE WARFARE CONTINUES 

In the New Testament era, there were many individuals who practiced magic, acted as mediums, and claimed to speak for the gods. The religious marketplace of the modern world is much the same. There are many men and women who proclaim the Gospel out of selfish ambition and to make money. They sow seeds of contention and confusion in an effort to diminish the name of Jesus Christ. Behind all of the charlatanry, there are demonic spirits working against God’s kingdom. 

Perhaps it was Paul’s missionary experiences in confronting the forces of darkness that informed his warning to the Ephesian church, and to us: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:10-12). 

The warfare continues. Let the name of Jesus be magnified above all! 

Daily Devotions  

M. Command to Confront Spiritual Darkness (Numbers 33:50-56) 

T. Troubled by a Distressing Spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-23) 

W. A Lying Spirit (1 Kings 22:19-23) 

T. Tormenting Spirits Cast Out (Mark 5:2-13) 

F. The Power of God’s Kingdom (Luke 11:17-20) 

S. Combatting Spiritual Forces (Ephesians 6:10-17) 

Adopted from the Evangelical Sunday School Lesson Commentary 2021-2022.