1The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
9When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
15In these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, 16“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. 17For he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 18Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed out. 19It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’ 20For it is written in the book of Psalms,
‘Let his habitation be made desolate.
Let no one dwell in it;’
and,
‘Let another take his office.’
21“Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23They put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 25to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.” 26They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
These Jewish exorcists were guilty of fraud, but also of violating the third of the Ten Commandments. They were essentially using God’s name in vain. They were attempting to use the power of God for their purposes. They had learned that the name of Jesus had power, and here they were, not even Christians, invoking the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits. They made the big mistake of invoking the name of Jesus when they had no relationship with him. Jesus doesn’t share His power and glory with those whom He does not know.
Notice that they commanded the evil spirits to come out “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches”. They didn’t say, “We cast you out in the Name of Jesus, whom we love and serve.” You see, they were trying to borrow the name of Jesus for their exorcism show. Many so-called servants of God try to borrow the name of Jesus for their purposes, efforts, and endeavors. They claim to heal others or possess a special revelation, all while using the name of Jesus; however, their conduct leads one to question whether they truly know Him or have a relationship with Him at all. It is dangerous to use the name of Jesus without knowing Him. However, to the believer, there is power in the name of Jesus!
Jesus said that His followers would share in His power. (Ephesians 1:19-20; John 14:12). You and I are empowered to do great things in His name and in His power. Without a relationship with Him, we might find that if we try to do battle in His name, the demons will merely answer back, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I know, but who are you?” Those seven sons of Sceva were attacked by the demon-possessed man who beat them senseless and ripped off their clothes. Draw near to the Lord, and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) The power is available, but you must know Him and love Him. He said, “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) As Gloria and Bill Gaither penned, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim, ‘Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.”