Acts 13:6-12 “Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, (7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (9) Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him (10) and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? (11) And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (12) Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”
The above quoted account in scripture is another example of the gift of special faith in operation, this time through the ministry of the apostle Paul. The scripture tells us plainly on this occasion that the anointing of the Holy Spirit came upon Paul, for the scripture says that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. And so in response to that anointing coming upon Paul he became fully focused on Elymas the sorcerer, for the scripture says that Paul looked intently at him (almost the same language used to describe Peter fixing his eyes on the lame man we discussed earlier). And so just like Peter, Paul on this occasion boldly proclaimed God’s word to Elymas and the moment that happened God’s power was released and Elymas became blind. This was not Paul’s faith being displayed on this occasion, for had it been Paul’s faith he would have used it to deal with many other similar incidents that occurred to him throughout his ministry. This is the only occasion recorded however, where Paul responded in such a manner to his adversaries when he preached the gospel. On all other occasions Paul either walked away or was chased out or was even physically attacked, by those who opposed his message. Clearly this incident is recorded in scripture as another example of the manifestation of the gift of special faith.
Michael E.B. Maher
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