Principalities and Powers

Church Life                                 “Principalities and Powers”                                               Acts 8:9-25 A Profession of Faith (vv. 9-13) Deut. 18:10-12a 10 For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering.[a] And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.    Mt. 24:24, For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  2 Thess. 2:9-10 9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. 10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. Jo. 2:23-25  23 Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. 24 But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. 25 No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.   A Possession of the Spirit (vv. 14-17) Ti. 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.   Col. 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. Eph. 4:5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism). A Punishment of a Sinner (vv. 18-25)   1 Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith.  2 Cor. 5:17, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come). We don’t see that here?   2 Cor. 11:14b-15 Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.  Pro. 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.