A Miraculous Blindness
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | July 20, 2025
Open your Bibles to Acts 13:6-13. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this Lord’s Day, for Brother Doug Ramage’s music, our guests, and Your Word. Heal the sick—Roger, my wife, Mayola, Larry Wall—and save those without Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
On July 20, 2025, Senior Pastor Bill Rains continues his series on miracles in Acts, preaching on the miraculous blindness of Elymas in Paphos (Acts 13:6-13). Following sermons on Peter’s deliverance and Herod’s death, he describes how Paul and Barnabas encountered Elymas, a sorcerer and false prophet, who tried to turn Deputy Sergius Paulus from faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas, declaring, Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season, and a mist fell, leaving him helpless. This judgment led Sergius Paulus to believe. Pastor Rains shares three lessons: the presence of evil, the prudence of the deputy, and the power of God’s judgment, urging all to heed preaching and trust Christ.
The Presence of Evil
In Paphos, Paul and Barnabas faced evil in Elymas, a sorcerer and false prophet called full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness (Acts 13:10). His Jewish heritage and prophetic claims deceived many, but his power was satanic, not divine. Pastor Rains notes that evil often confronts God’s servants, as missionaries and believers encounter it worldwide. Elymas tried to turn Sergius Paulus from faith, illustrating the devil’s subtle, crafty servants who harm others. Pastor Rains warns against befriending such influences, citing his own youthful mischief due to bad company. He stresses that all unsaved are children of the devil (John 8:44), not God’s children, until adopted through faith (Romans 8:15, Ye have received the Spirit of adoption). Evil opposes righteousness, but God’s Word prevails.
The Prudence of the Deputy
Sergius Paulus, described as a prudent man, desired to hear God’s Word, a wise choice. Prudence means sound judgment and careful conduct. Pastor Rains calls it the smartest decision to seek preaching, as God uses the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Corinthians 1:21). Despite Elymas’ interference, Sergius listened, unlike many who avoid preaching. Pastor Rains recalls a preacher’s words at 14, urging him to trust Jesus, which led to his salvation. He shares his grandparents’ story—his grandfather William, once in witchcraft, found Christ through a Bible, unlike Elymas. Prudence seeks Jesus, as the wise men did (Matthew 2:1-2). Pastor Rains urges all to heed preaching, as it pierces the heart like a goad (Acts 9:5, It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks), leading to salvation.
The Power of God’s Judgment
Elymas’ persistent opposition prompted God’s judgment: the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind. A supernatural mist left him blind, needing guidance, and this miracle led Sergius Paulus to faith. Pastor Rains warns that rejecting God is dangerous, as the Spirit of God shall not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3). He recounts a young man who rejected salvation and died soon after in a car wreck, and another who trusted Christ but died in an accident, showing life’s uncertainty (Hebrews 9:27, It is appointed unto men once to die). Elymas chose sin, but Sergius chose faith. Pastor Rains pleads, “You can’t shove God off His throne,” urging all to trust Jesus before judgment comes, as none know when the death angel arrives.
