Based on what I have observed for more than three decades, some believers have misinterpreted the book of Acts by making wrong conclusions based on what they have observed by comparing and contrasting the various accounts of apostolic ministry that Acts records. How some, in effect, have mishandled the inspired record of Paul’s ministry in Corinth in Acts 18 when compared with other accounts of one specific aspect of his ministry elsewhere provides a clear example of this serious hermeneutical problem.
Paul’s ministry in Corinth versus in Philippi and in Ephesus
Acts 18:1-18 provides us with much information about Paul’s ministry in Corinth but does not mention his doing any miraculous works during his time in Corinth. By sharp contrast, Acts 16 reveals that he performed an exorcism in Philippi, and Acts 19 reveals that God worked extraordinary exorcisms through Paul in Ephesus.
Noting this difference, some have, in effect, concluded that Paul did not do any exorcisms by his apostolic authority in Corinth. To understand why this is not a sound conclusion, we have to account for additional inspired information that the Spirit has revealed in at least two of the NT Epistles.
What Second Corinthians Reveals about Paul’s Doing Miracles, including Exorcisms, in Corinth
Writing to the Corinthians for at least the second time, Paul declared, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:12). Because Paul said this to them, we can be certain that he did multiple miraculous works among them during his time in Corinth. Were exorcisms among those miraculous apostolic acts?
Given that God used Paul to bring about exorcisms both before and after his time in Corinth, we have good grounds to hold that he did likewise in Corinth. Important revelation in a second NT Epistle supports this interpretation.
What Hebrews Reveals That Applies to Paul’s Doing Miracles, including Exorcisms, in Corinth
Through the writer of the book of Hebrews, the Spirit has made known that God did miraculous deeds through those who had heard the Lord speak about the great salvation that He came to provide:
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Because Paul was the one who first evangelized the Corinthians by giving the gospel to them, the teaching of Hebrews 2:3-4 supports our holding that God did miracles in Corinth to attest to Paul’s gospel ministry to them.
Holding that these miraculous acts that he did in Corinth surely included exorcisms is solidly supported by many other passages that reveal the evangelistic importance of the exorcisms that Jesus and His apostles performed:
Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. . . . 17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Acts 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Conclusion
We must beware misinterpreting the book of Acts by drawing unwarranted conclusions that more thorough and careful examination of Scripture shows are not tenable in spite of seemingly important differences in the accounts in the book. In particular, we can be confident that Paul and the other apostles performed exorcisms in Corinth and in other places where they evangelized people even though the accounts in Acts do not record anything about their engaging in such miraculous ministry in those places.
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