If we throw around the sacred name of the Light from Nazareth and think that doing so is a power play we had better rethink the issue. It is already clear from the gospels that doing miracles, prophesying and exorcising demons are not a sure sign that one has found grace. So when the sons of a Jewish High priest saw an occasion to use Yeshua’s name to grab a headline as people with access to heavenly power they ended up in shreds.

Ephesus was the first place to which our Lord sent a letter by John bar Zebedee. It was the place where people could be found in transition: some between Moses and John, others between John and Yeshua (Acts 19:1-2). The widespread display and progress of both teaching and miracles could hardly be ignored by the Jewish faith.

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:10-12

People can say “Christ” and mean the Son of Gid who became human to redeem humanity. People can also say “Christ” and mean anything from the Bible but the Messianic mission. These Jewish boys got a lesson in secondhand fallout. They were obviously not followers of Christ but thought they could use his name to grab a spot in the news.

What they did showed how little they actually knew about God, Yeshua, or Paul.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Acts 19:13

The demons (evil spirits) responded to the powerplay of these wannabe exorcists with an assault.

Acts 19:15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Acts 19:15

The demonic response also sent them packing with action. The demons launched the demoniac against the would be exorcists.

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Acts 19:16

All the people who have pedigree, like these Jewish men, and want to sling Yeshua’s name and blood around without a personal relationship with Him need to reconsider the personal injury that they may run into. How well do we know the Light of the World?