Special Miracles
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:1-12)
Today’s Morsel: When we follow the footsteps of Paul through the book of Acts, Paul’s ministry reveals to us how the Spirit was working with and through Him. Paul had overcome his fear of man, mainly because he himself knew what doctrines the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes taught. Paul could identify false teachers and false doctrines. He stated, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” (Acts 22:3) Paul was a well educate man and knew the mission that the Lord had given him. Scripture says, “But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks”. Paul daily found himself in arguments and debated with leaders about the apostle doctrine. But they all heard the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. You see, when you present the truth in love, they are going to hear it. But if they accept it, is another thing. And scripture says that the Lord worked special miracles by Paul. People saw things taking place that were not common nor had ever been seen before. “So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:12) This was mind boggling. Paul’s ministry was backed up by these special miracles. And Jesus desires to do the same through your ministry as well. But it all starts with you overcoming fear in your life and putting your trust in the Lord to work through you.
Sing: Jesus use me, O Lord, don’t refuse me, for surely there’s a work that I can do. And even though it’s humble, Lord, help my will to crumble. Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you.
Thought For Today: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” (John 14:12)
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