Acts 19:11-22
After I have been there, I must also see Rome. (v. 21b) Here we have the first indication of Paul’s desire to visit Rome. We’ll see it a few more times in his writings. Unfortunately when he finally arrives there, he comes as a prisoner. I had suggested a few weeks back that his trip to Berea, Athens, and Corinth may have been an unplanned detour from his original intent to go to Rome. But that’s just guesswork.
And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. (vv. 17b-18) And fear fell upon them all… I’m wondering about fear being a good motivator for conversion. “Fear of the Lord” as a humble recognition of His great power is one thing. But this fear seems to be more along the lines of them being actually afraid of the power going out from the Holy Spirit. But as with any conversions, some will stay and some will go. We just trust that the same Holy Spirit power that made demons leap can also be infused into these new Christians – and us!!
Slava Bohu!
Apparently the occult, black magic, and sorcery were rampant in Ephesus. Using the name of Jesus as a magic charm even happened in the Jewish priests, yikes. While we recognize Voodoo and certain cults as “modern” forms of this, we may miss other ways of trying to know or control what happens to us, like palm readers, horoscopes, seances, etc. What else?