Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.

Acts 19:13-17

Paul’s ministry was effective during those two years in Ephesus. God used “extraordinary miracles” through Paul’s ministry and even the evil spirits were driven away and then others joined in on the work including the seven sons of Sceva described in the passage above.

As a result of Paul’s ministry, others were inspired to join in on the work following a type of formula for successful exorcisms. It reminds me of the work described in John’s Gospel –

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

John 9:49-50

So why was the experience of the seven sons of Sceva so much less than optimal? They attempted to use the formula of “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims” and I think the difference is at least partly found in their lack of knowing Jesus as LORD in their lives.

Think we aren’t capable of displaying the same kind of failure in our lives? It’s all too easy to get caught up in a program at the expense of a true genuine relationship with Christ. How many churches have been searching for just the right discipleship program? A curriculum that will engage others? Or a personal Bible reading plan?

At the end of the passage above, we find that the people were pointed to the power of Jesus’ name for “both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.”