Scripture
When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
Observation
One day, the prophets and teachers of the church in Antioch are worshipping and fasting when the Holy Spirit directs them to dedicate Saul and Barnabas for the Lord’s work. They do this, and Barnabas and Saul go to Cyprus.
In the town of Paphos, they meet the governor who wants to hear more about the gospel. A sorcerer named Elymas tries to prevent the governor from listening to them, but Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares God’s judgement on Elymas who is then struck blind for a time.
The governor becomes a believer.
Application
It has often been said that a key cause of the growth of the early church was the presence of miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. Many of these miracles were what we might describe as positive- healings and the like. Some of them represented God’s judgement. In either case, the miracles were a powerful sign of God’s blessing on the Good News.
It is interesting that in this case, the governor received salvation after Elymas was struck blind. He became a believer because he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
The judgement on Elymas backed up the teaching and the authority of Saul and Barnabas. He did not believe just because of the miracle. He believed because of the teaching which was backed up by the miracle.
If I make a prediction based on scientific measurements that it will rain tomorrow, you might be sceptical that I know anything about science. But when I does rain, my credibility and knowledge of science are backed up.
When our proclamation of the Good News is backed up by signs and wonders, the gospel has greater power to overcome people’s objections.
Prayer
Father, please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that my speaking for you is bolstered by your power. Amen.
