At Paphos—They Encounter Elymas the Sorcerer

Sergius Paulus was the proconsul (or governor). A city or country will be opened for the Gospel if the heart of the ruler is open. Therefore, we must pray to find favor in the eyes of the officials. Watch for key people. If you are sent of God, He will give you favor with these key men. Strategic centers and key people are the means by which God propagates the Gospel. Therefore, concentrate in prayeron the leaders of the country to which you are called. In this episode we see the tremendous apostolic power that is coming upon Paul. He had the authority to smite men with blindness. This act of power convinced the governor and it inspired holy fear in all those who observed. Paul's authority was given him to edify (or build up), not to destroy (2 Cor.13:10).

We Are Vessels

At Paul's conversion God said Paul was “a chosen vessel.” A vessel has one main use—to hold or contain something. We are created with a void or hollow. What we choose to fill our vessel with determines whether we are a good or bad vessel. In 13:9,10, Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost and was able to tell Elymas what he was filled with—“O full of all subtilty and mischief.”

Consider the different elements that filled the men and women in the Book of Acts: (See 2 Tim. 2:20-22).

• 2:2 “filled with the Holy Ghost”
• 5:3 “Why hath Satan filled thine heart?”
• 5:17 “filled with indignation.”
• 6:3 “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom”
• 6:5 “full of faith and of the Holy Ghost”
• 6:8 “full of faith and power”
• 9:36 “this woman was full of good works”
• 13:10 “full of subtilty and all mischief
• 13:45 “Filled with envy”
• 13:52 “The disciples were filled with joy.”
• 19:28 “they were full of wrath”
• 19:29 “The...city was filled with confusion.”

Created 4 months ago