Supernatural Powers

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…Acts 13:9

Sometimes missionaries have to confront the enemy. When this happens, you can count on the help of the Holy Spirit. The person Paul confronts is Elymas Bar-Jesus. Bar-Jesus would be the son of Jesus. He is identified as a sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, Verse 6. He is not the son of Jesus. He is like many today who falsely claim to be with Jesus—a Christian—when in fact they are the enemy.

Paul does not mince words with Elymas Bar-Jesus. Verse 10: O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease from perverting the ways of the Lord? Luke had already identified his perversion: seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith, Verse 8.

This is how the Holy Spirit works. He inspires courage to speak the truth when the truth is what is needed to keep people in the faith. Barnabas and Paul had no idea they would be invited to speak to the governor of Paphos. Nor would they have known Elymas would be there. But they did know Jesus. And they did know the Spirit of God. And they did know God the Father. If knowledge is power, then they are in powerful company. 

But Elymas, the sorcerer (for his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away for the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him, and said, O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease from perverting the ways of the Lord?

There are those who stray from the faith to follow a man made religion. They are to be rescued with love. The leaders are to be confronted. Their false doctrines are the essence of cults. They are quick-sand. A few steps in and you sink. False prophets still exist. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in them. Go for it while never underestimating how God will work.