DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 23 October 2024: Power Evangelism
Text: Acts 13:6-12 (KJV)
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.
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.
KEY VERSE: Acts 13:12
“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”
Power evangelism is preaching the gospel accompanied by the release of God’s power through signs and wonders. Apostle Paul gave an accurate definition of power evangelism in his first letter to the Corinthian believers: “And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4,5).
In our text, Sergius Paulus was a high Roman official who presided over the island of Cyprus. He had invited Barnabas and Paul to preach the word of God to him. A sorcerer named Elymas or Bar-Jesus, however, withstood them.
Paul discerned the obstructing spirit operating through Elymas through the Holy Spirit. He confronted Bar-Jesus, who was struck blind by God’s power. Astonished by God’s power, the governor believed the gospel. Jesus said, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them…” (Mark 16:17,18). This is power evangelism, a regular experience in the early Church that is desperately needed in the Church today to dethrone all evil powers and to set captives free.
Many evangelistic efforts have been futile because most preachers lack the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. To carry out power evangelism, we must be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit as we witness. But we cannot have the Holy Spirit except we are saved and sanctified. Then we thirst and pray for the experience (Acts 1:8).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every knee bows before believers who are filled with the power of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 7-8
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Daily Manna 23 October 2024
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