The Success Of The Gospel – Acts 19:8-20

The Success Of The Gospel – Acts 19:8-20

Acts 19:8-20 LSB

And after he entered the synagogue, he continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and were not believing, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he left them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

Miracles in Ephesus

11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that cloths or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I implore you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Now seven sons of one named Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them, subdued all of them, and utterly prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Also, many of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and were burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

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Kyle Kearbey
Kyle Kearbey

I have served as the Pastor of Preaching at Grace Fellowship Church in Albion, Southeastern Illinois, for the past eight years. Grace Fellowship is a Reformed Baptist congregation holding to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. I remain humbled and thankful to my risen Lord for calling me to the ministry of the Word and entrusting me with the high privilege of pastoral service. I love the flock the Lord has given to me and my fellow elders.

From 2010 to 2016, I served as a bi-vocational pastor while working full-time in higher education. In 2017, I transitioned to full-time pastoral ministry while continuing part-time work in higher education. That same year, I began serving with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS), helping to establish and oversee institutional effectiveness, accreditation, and academic quality. By God’s grace, the seminary received its initial accreditation in 2019, and I later led it through reaffirmation in 2024. I have also worked with several other Reformed seminaries in similar roles. I served with CBTS until July 2025.

From 2019 until July 2025, I was blessed to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries – Commission on Accreditation (ARTS-COA). In that role, I helped evaluate and uphold accreditation standards for Reformed institutions across the United States, participated in site visits, and assisted many schools in achieving accreditation.

In 2024, with the Lord’s help, I established the Christian Heritage Center. I am eager to see how He will continue to use this work in the days ahead.

Beyond ministry and academics, I enjoy reading and studying church history, working out when I can, playing video games with my son, and walking the fairgrounds here in Albion. Above all, I am most thankful to God for saving me and for the privilege of being used—even in a small way—for His glorious Kingdom.