There are many passages of scripture that tangentially teach principles of authority, even though the primary purpose of the text may concern something entirely different.
In Acts 19, we are told of the miracles that Paul did, powerful miracles that included healings and exorcisms. We are told that even pieces of clothing, aprons or handkerchiefs, that had touched Paul’s body, were brought to the sick and healed them (12). Such power was effective in proving Paul’s authority was from God, and caused many at Ephesus to believe in Jesus. We are told, “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (20).
An interesting aspect of the text was the rise of imitators of Paul. We see the same thing today. How many times have you seen a television evangelists asking for money, and offering to send some trinket has been blessed or prayed over. The idea is that the use of the trinket would bring fortune or healing. This is a passage that has inspired that kind of imitation. Is it valid?
Well, consider the case of the seven sons of Sceva, found in verses 13-17. We are told that these seven were itinerant Jewish exorcists. We have such today. Men who claim to be able to exorcise evil spirits. While it is uncommon, there are Catholics priests and even some Protestants who believe that demon possession remains to our time and that they have the authority from God to cast them out. The claim these powers even though they are often teaching religious error, and engaging in activities and worship that do not have Divine approval. In this they mimic the seven sons of Sceva.
Sceva was a Jewish chief priest in Ephesus. The relating of this case indicates that under the new covenant, being a Jew had no significance with regard to a man’s standing with God. By this time a New Covenant had been established, the covenant of Jesus Christ, God’s Son. So, while religious, Jews were not accepted by God unless their acceptance was based on faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no evidence that the Jewish exorcists were effective in their efforts to remove demons from the possessed. One might ask the simple question, if they were already successfully performing exorcisms, why did they feel it necessary to reference “the Jesus whom Paul preaches” (13) when they witnessed his efforts? They saw the effectiveness of Paul, and determined to utilize his obvious efficacy to gain success for themselves! It is evident from the text that this didn’t work. “Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’ Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:14-16).
Do you remember the response of the demons collectively named Legion in the country of the Gadarenes when Jesus cast them out of a wild man in Luke 8? “When he [the man, speaking through the influence of Legion] saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!’” (28). We are told, “they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss” (31). Jesus successfully cast the demons out into a herd of swine which then “ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned” (33).
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” The demons recognized Jesus because of who He was, and the authority He had over them! “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19).
It was for this reason that Paul, as an apostle, was recognized by the demons as well. Concerning this, Jesus said in Mark 16:17, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.” What Paul did was in Jesus’ name, by his authority! The demons knew of this authority, and knew Paul.
However, the itinerant Jewish exorcists made the same claim! They said, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches” (13). This did not make their claim true. Just because you do something and claim that it is in Jesus’ name, does not mean it is so. In Jesus’ name means by His authority. Did Jesus give you permission? Saying He did when He did not is a lie, and will bring condemnation!
Consider Jesus’ words. “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
In short, this describes the ineffectiveness of the seven sons of Sceva, and also describes the iniquity of much worship and innovation in churches today!
