BIBL 104
Name: Jennifer Kennedy
Bible StudyProject: Interpretation
Passage: Acts19:11-22
A. Summarize:Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (200-400 words)
explainwhat you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage.Remember
two things. First, the focus of this summary is theological and not narrative.In other
words,your summary should highlight what this passage communicates aboutwho God
isand what God is doing.Second, words like “I,” “We,” “Us,” and “Our” are application
words and not interpretation words. Thus, they should not be used in your answer for this
question. Interpretation is about “then and there” and not “here and now.” We were not
there so the passage is not about us. Our “part” in the passage is the application or how
we will respond to God’s Word.
God granted his apostle Paul the special authority and power to perform miracles in His
name while spreading the gospel. Not all disciples of Christ were given this miraculous
ability, even if they were devout followers. The account tells of seven sons of a man
named Sceva, who were not true followers of Christ but rather practiced magic. When
these seven sons attempted to cast out evil spirits without having God's authority, they
were violently attacked and beaten by the possessed man. This incident highlights that the
ability to perform such miracles was a divine gift given specifically to Paul as an apostle,
and could not be exercised by those who lacked a genuine connection to Christ and His
power
Verse 17 states that after the failed attempt by the seven sons of Sceva to cast out evil
spirits, a solemn sense of fear and reverence spread throughout the city, both among the
Jews and Greeks. The news of this incident traveled rapidly, resulting in the name of the
Lord Jesus being greatly honored and esteemed. The author is emphasizing that there is
no power comparable to the power found in the name of Jesus Christ. No form of sorcery
or magic can imitate or masquerade as the genuine power that belongs to Jesus. He alone
is the Almighty, and it is only through His true name, and the authority He has
specifically granted to His apostles, that evil spirits can be rebuked and cast out. The
failed attempt by the seven sons, who lacked this divine authorization, serves to reiterate
that the power over evil spirits rests solely in Christ and those He has empowered.
B. Identify: Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. What is
the one thing the whole thing is saying? You should be able to express this principle in 1-
3 sentences. As with the previous answer, this principle should be theological and rooted
in who God is and/or what God is doing. Please remember that words like "I," "We,"
"Us," and "Our" are application words and not interpretation words
God used his disciple and apostle, Paul, to not only disseminate the message of God, but
also to grant him the authority and power to perform miracles in God's name. Even if
they were a fervent follower of Christ, not everyone was granted this authority.When
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Sceva's seven sons sought to drive away bad spirits without authority, the possessed man
attacked and beaten them.It is vital to remember that the seven sons of Sceva were not
disciples of Christ, but they were magicians and not actual followers of Christ.
C. Check: Consult at least one scholarly resource to offer support for the theological
principle that you believe the passage is teaching. In 1-2 paragraphs (200-400 words),
quote, properly cite, and interact with this scholarly resource to demonstrate that it
supports your theological and interpretive conclusion
You must consult the “Commentaries” and the “Bible Dictionaries & Handbooks” tab
found on the research guide provided by the Jerry Falwell Library to access the approved
academic and scholarly resources.These resources are the only approved
resources.Using unapproved resources may result in a score of “0” for this assignment.
The research guide can be found by following the link on the Bible Study Project:
Interpretation Assignment under Bible Study Project: Interpretation Resource
The expositor's Bible commentary: The New Testament indicates that Acts was written for
several purposes. According to the text, “Primary among the reasons for its composition was
undoubtedly a kerygmatic purpose (kerygmatic is from the Greek word kerygma [GK 3060],
which means “preaching” or “proclamation”) (Barker & Kohlenberger, 2017). This "preaching"
and "proclamation" was exactly what Paul was doing as one of Jesus Christ's apostles. As word
spread of the possessed man attacking Sceva's seven sons, a proclamation was sent throughout
the land. It was a proclamation that didn't require direct statement. The actions spoke for
themselves about Jesus Christ's power, demonstrating that he is very real, living, and the only
one whose name should be used. It was a proclamation that only his Apostles can perform
miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, and no other sorcery or witchcraft could even begin to do.
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