Exorcism is the process of casting out demons. So here, a group of itinerant Jewish exorcists and Sceva’s sons try to imitate Paul’s “formula”. They failed because they had no personal relationship with Jesus. They only know Jesus is the God of Paul, not their own God.
There are many people – many churchgoers – who will perish in Hell because they have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they only know about Jesus. The evil spirit knew exactly who Jesus was, and knew exactly who Paul was. But they didn’t know who the seven sons of Sceva were.
Acts 19:13-41: God’s Transforming Power
