Apples and Oranges

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"But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" - Acts 19: 13-15 (NASB)


   One of the great problems we have in the church today is one the apostle Paul encountered early in the Christian church: head knowledge of Jesus without heart knowledge. Paul encountered these brothers while ministering in Ephesus.  Ephesus was the hub for all things political, philosophical, and spiritual. This was the location of the temple of Artemis, one of the "Seven Wonders of the World". These "sons of Sceva", as Luke refers to them, were sons of a Jewish Chief Priest. They witnessed Paul doing some amazing things "in the name of Jesus."  When they saw these things, they wanted to do the same. If you read this brief but powerful encounter, you learn that a demon-possessed man gives them a humiliating beating that sends them away naked. What they failed to understand is that "in the name of Jesus" is not some chant or incantation to summon spiritual power. Paul was making a declaration that he, as a man of God, was operating in power and authority of Jesus, hence "Jesus's name".

   There are several lessons we can glean from this interesting encounter, but only one in which I want to focus on: Spiritual power comes through relationship with Jesus. The Sceva brothers were looking for a formula that would allow them to operate in the manner in which Paul did. What they did not know is that Paul was working from a relationship with Jesus. Before He returned to heaven Jesus told the disciples, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Matt. 28:18, NASB) Jesus has all authority, and He has  giving his authority to his disciples. This power and authority flows from relationship. Those who walk with Him are authorized and enabled to exercise His authority. The miracles that Paul did (more accurately, that the Holy Spirit did through Paul) were possible because he walked with Jesus. There were no shortcuts, and there are still none today. Anyone who is going to exercise the power and authority found in Jesus is going to know Him.

   There is a world of difference between knowing who Jesus is and knowing Jesus personally. The difference between the two really is like comparing apples and oranges.

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