The Testimony of Jesus Christ

The Lord is faithful to reveal those things He desires us to know of Him. In writing this lesson, the Lord revealed to me the mind of the Spirit, regarding ministry in the Body of Christ. I was studying the faithfulness of Paul, when the Lord showed me how the faithfulness of the saints was developed.

Acts 19:13-21

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. 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. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. 21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

Oftentimes, when this story is taught, we tend to focus on the fact that seven unsaved men tried to cast out a demon and were beaten and stripped naked by the evil spirit. But there is a lot more to this story. Paul had been in Ephesus over two years before this event took place. Upon entering the city, he found twelve disciples of Christ who had not received the Holy Ghost, but they believed in the Lord. Of course, Paul laid hands on them and they did receive. The first three months he preached in the Jewish synagogues until those in authority rose up against him with hardened hearts. Therefore, he took his twelve disciples and whomever else was willing to follow and opened a school of ministry at Tyrannus’ house.

Now Sceva, the chief of the priests, and no doubt one who had driven Paul out of the synagogues, had seven sons who by tradition and law were also priests. After driving Paul away from the church where he had access to the congregation they coveted, but having seen the power in the name of Jesus as used by Paul; proceeded to try to do the things they saw him do. In doing so, the evil spirit spoke, saying, “Paul I know and Jesus I know, but who are you?” The story goes on to say he beat them and stripped them naked and ran them out of the house. The events that followed were most encouraging for Paul and the disciples of Christ. The incident was noised throughout the city, the name of Jesus was magnified, and fear fell upon them all. In addition, many who believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed (Acts 19:18-20)

The Lord knows how to encourage those who serve Him out of a pure heart. Paul saw the prosperity of his labor. He saw the Lord vindicate truth. BUT DO NOT MISS THE FACT THAT DEMONS AND DEVILS RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO ARE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER. YES, INDEED, AND THEY KNOW THEM BY NAME. They also implied that they would be under the authority of a true worshipper of God, but are not in the least bit intimidated by those who are not. Furthermore, do not miss the fact that God’s response to Paul’s labor in Ephesus inspired him the more. He wanted others in other parts of Asia and in Rome to experience this great gospel.

When we see the hand of God moving in the lives of His people, it ought to motivate us to go even further in the work of the ministry. This is a true demonstration of the love we are to have for the people of God. I have recently experienced this scenario, as I labored in the lives of the saints in Jamaica. I have seen the Lord rescue those works and the fame of the Word in our ministry is noised throughout the country.

The scripture says, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”(Acts 19:21) His face was set like a flint to get this gospel to the center of his nation and then to the center of the world government, Rome. The scriptures below reveal the passion he had for the ministry and the faith.

Acts 20:17-24

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

This should be the testimony of us all, for indeed it is the testimony of Jesus Christ. The passion of Christ and His love for people is manifest in His ministers. When this is the case, then truly you are walking in fellowship with the Father and the Son.