Whenever I teach on spiritual warfare, I’m often asked, “How can I prevent demonic attacks?” Technically, you can’t! This is why the Bible warns you 4 times to put on the full armor of God (Rom 13:12; Eph 6:11, 6:13; 1Th 5:8).
However, there is one verse that limits spiritual warfare. It’s found in Acts 2:42:
ORIGINAL GREEK:
Ἦσαν δὲ προσκαρτεροῦντες
τῇ διδαχῇ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ
τῇ κοινωνίᾳ,
τῇ κλάσει τοῦ ἄρτου καὶ
ταῖς προσευχαῖς.
LITERAL TRANSLATION:
And they were continually devoting themselves to
the teaching of the apostles and
the fellowship,
the breaking of the bread and
the prayers.
Therefore, 1 verse that limits spiritual warfare contains the 4 essential practices of the first Christians. Before we delve into how these actions limit spiritual warfare, I list the original Greek as well as my own translation so that you can test these 2 facts:
(1) many English versions translate “devoted” in the past tense. However, in the Greek, it’s rendered as a present active participle—meaning they were regularly observing these 4 essential practices; and
(2) each essential practice is preceded by an article “the” (in red font); meaning these are distinct actions involving--1 teaching, 1 specific fellowship, 1 special meal, and 1 main type of prayer.
Now let’s analyze each separately. I’ll list: (a) meaning, (b) application, (c) warning, and (d) benefit—then summarize.
(1/4) – The first Christians limited spiritual warfare by obeying the teaching of the 12 Apostles.
MEANING (1/4): Notice that “teaching” is singular. This confirms the writings of the 12 Apostles (encompassed in the New Testament) contain 1 overarching message: Jesus is Lord!
Of course, this includes the specifics of Him dying for our sins, rising from the dead on the third day, ascending into Heaven, descending back to earth (in the future) to judge the world and fully establish His Kingdom, and (in the meantime) how we are to live in submission to and dependance on His Lordship (1Co 15:3-4; Rom 14:11; Phi 2:9-11; Eph 4:10; 2Ti 3:16-17).
Remember, Jesus never wrote a book but entrusted His Apostles to teach us to obey all the commands He taught them (Mat 28:20 NLT).[1] This is why the Bible declares the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph 2:20) and is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1Ti 3:15).
APPLICATION (1/4): Although the New Testament encompasses the teaching of the Apostles, it’s based on Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament as foretold by its prophets. So, you must familiarize yourself with the whole Bible—deviating only where the Apostles clarify,[2] since you’re now under the New Covenant.[3]
WARNING (1/4): The Old Testament reminds us that Satan deceived mankind (Gen 3:13) and that God still bemoans, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a).
BENEFIT (1/4): According to Romans 12:2, behavioral change can only take place as you learn and apply God’s truth. Therefore, obeying the Bible confirms repentance!
(2/4) – In addition to obeying the Bible as clarified by the Apostles, the first Christians limited spiritual warfare by regularly connecting with other believers.
MEANING (2/4): The Greek word κοινωνία (“koinonia” | fellowship) involves contributing to the wellbeing of fellow Christians. God appoints church leaders, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:12 ESV).
APPLICATION (2/4): You must intentionally connect with other believers and donate time and resources to strengthen the Christian community.
WARNING (2/4): Jesus earnestly prayed to the Father, “may [the believers] be one as we are one… My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:11, 15 NIV). It’s easier to defeat a soldier than an army!
BENEFIT (2/4): The Greek word for “grace” is χάρις (charis), and the word for “spiritual gift” is χαρίσματα (charismata). Therefore, you impart God’s special grace to believers when you fellowship with them—and vice versa!
(3/4) – Moreover, the first Christians limited spiritual warfare by attending church on Sunday.
MEANING (3/4): Under the Old Covenant, believers corporately worshiped on the 7th day (Saturday—the last day of Creation when God rested). However, under the New Covenant, believers corporately worship on the 1st day (Sunday—the first day of Creation when God began to create). This is because Jesus rose on Sunday morning,[4] beginning the New Creation![5] Thus, Christians gather on the 1st day of the week (Sunday) to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. This included observing the Lord’s Supper—that’s why the Gospel-writer Luke records in Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread” (NIV).[6] So, the phrase “the breaking of the bread” is a euphemism for Sunday worship.
APPLICATION (3/4): You need to attend church every Sunday. If for some reason you cannot attend in person, then you should assemble (at least) with another believer for some form of acceptable worship. However, this is the exception, because the Greek word for “church” (ἐκκλησία | ekklāsia) means “those called out.”[7]
WARNING (3/4): Church leaders also have a responsibility to “watch over your souls” (Heb 13:17). This is why being a member of a healthy church is essential—even a pastor needs a pastor, no one is exempted![8] The Bible commands:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God” (Heb 10:24-27 NIV).
Notice immediately after the command to not stop attending Sunday church comes the warning about falling away from the faith. If you’re tempted to disregard this, then isn’t drifting away from the faith just as subtle as disobeying this command?
BENEFIT (3/4): Ignatius (Bishop of Antioch, First Century, AD 69-108) perfectly expresses,
"Therefore, keep eagerly striving to frequently gather together in [observance of] the Lord's Supper and in glory to God. For when, with frequency, you do this, the powers of Satan are being torn down and [you are] being loosed [from] his destructiveness by the unity of your faith.”[9]
The Greek verbs "torn down" and "loosed" are present middle indicatives. This means--when we assemble on Sunday to celebrate the Resurrection (including the Lord’s Supper and singing)--Satan’s powers “are being torn down” and believers “are being loosed” from demonic bondage by the combined factors of our corporate unity.
(4/4) – Furthermore--along with obeying the Bible, fellowshipping with other believers, and attending church on Sunday--the first Christians limited spiritual warfare by devoting themselves to “the prayers.”
MEANING (4/4): In my 3 previous blogs on the Lord's Prayer (listed below and at www.stevedabbs.org/blog), I show how the Hebrew word “HaTefillah” (the prayer) also became a Jewish euphemism in Greek for the Lord’s Prayer. Here, I’ll validate that the phrase “the prayers” (plural) refers to the 3 set times of prayer (morning, noon, and night) biblically practiced by King David, Daniel, ancient-Jews (to present), Jesus, the Apostles, and the early-Christians.[10]
One place the Apostle Paul uses “the prayers” (plural) is in Ephesians 1:16:
GREEK:
οὐ παύομαι
εὐχαριστῶν ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν
μνείαν ποιούμενος
ἐπὶ τῶν προσευχῶν μου.
LITERAL:
I do not cease
giving thanks for you,
making mention [of you]
at the times of the prayers of mine.”[11]
One of the definitions for the 3-letter preposition ἐπὶ (epi) highlighted in yellow is “at the time of.”[12] Two renowned scholars validate:
(a) Dr. I. Howard Marshall, the phrase “my prayers” refers to, “the way the Christians observed the set Jewish hours of prayer.”[13]
(b) Dr. Richard N. Logenecker, "[Luke’s] use [in Acts 2:42] of both the definite article and the plural [form of ] 'the prayers’ suggest formal prayers, probably both Jewish and Christian.”[14]
As I verify in my previous blogs, the Amidah was the prescribed prayer of the Jews prior to the Lord’s Prayer taught by Jesus. For your convenience, I list them:
“PART 1 - Lord’s Prayer (Jewish Heritage)” [4 MIN READ]
www.stevedabbs.org/post/part-1-the-lord-s-prayer-jewish-heritage;
"PART 2 - Lord’s Prayer (Christian Heritage)” [6 MIN READ]
www.stevedabbs.org/post/part-2-the-lord-s-prayer-christian-heritage; and
“PART 3 – Lord’s Prayer (Biblical Meaning)” [6 MIN READ]
www.stevedabbs.org/post/part-3-the-lord-s-prayer-biblical-meaning.
Therefore, putting it altogether, here is the--
HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING OF EPHESIANS 1:16:
I do not cease
giving thanks for you,
making mention [of you]
at the set times I recite
the Lord's Prayer.
APPLICATION (4/4): As King David asserts:
“Evening, and morning, and at noon I will declare and make known my wants: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17 LXE).
Per biblical practice, you should recite the Lord’s Prayer 3-times a day—at morning, noon, and night.
In the above blog “Lord’s Prayer (Christian Heritage),” I confirm the Greek does not list it as a model prayer but as a continuous command,[15] and this is exactly how Christians in the 1st Century understood it:
“Neither pray as the hypocrites do, but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, thus you are to pray, ‘Our Father, who is in Heaven, let Your Name be sanctified; let Your Kingdom come; let Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven; give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One; for Yours is the power and the glory forever.’ Thus, pray three times a day.”[16]
WARNING (4/4): In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus cautions us to pray daily to be delivered from the evil one. The Greek verb “deliver” (ῥύομαι | ruomai) means “to bring someone out of severe and acute danger.”[17] It’s distinct from “save” (σῴζω | sōzō) mostly used regarding eternal life verses earthly living. The Apostle Paul declares, "The Lord will deliver [ruomai] me from every evil working and save [sōzō] me for his heavenly kingdom” (2Ti 4:18a Greek). Thus, Jesus recognizes a believer needs to be saved from sin and delivered from Satan.
Also, as I validate in chapter 7 of my book “When Demons Surface,” the ancient Jews were versed in spiritual warfare. Rabbis taught the need to combat the demons of morning, noon, and night. Look at the Greek translation of Psalm 91:5-6 written 300 years before Christ:
You shall not be afraid
of the terror by night,
of the arrow flying by day,
of the evil thing lurking in darkness,
of the destruction and demon at noon.[18]
BENEFIT (4/4): I share more insights like these in chapter 3 of my book “When Demons Surface.” They include ancient Hebrew prayers as well as numerous testimonies revealing New Covenant benefits associated with reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Believers report the ending of nightmares, sleep paralysis, and paranormal activities. Additionally, some attest to unexplained peace plus long-awaited answers to prayer.
These 2 blogs are helpful too:
"A Biblical REASON for Sleep Paralysis" [2 MIN READ]
www.stevedabbs.org/post/a-biblical-reason-for-sleep-paralysis
"A Biblical SOLUTION to Sleep Paralysis" [2 MIN READ]
www.stevedabbs.org/post/a-biblical-solution-to-sleep-paralysis.
In summary, the first Christians limited spiritual warfare by observing these 4 essential practices:
(1/4) obeying the Bible as clarified by the Apostles;
(2/4) fellowshipping with other believers;
(3/4) attending church on Sunday; and
(4/4) reciting the Lord’s Prayer 3-times a day according to biblical practice.
Continually employing these 4 actions will keep you postured, for victory!
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ENDNOTES:
[1] Luke and Mark are not listed among the 12 Apostles, but they were recorded in scriptures as companions of the Apostles (Col 4:10; 4:14; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24; 1Pe 5:13); thus, their books Mark, Luke, and Acts are included in the New Testament. Also, Saul/Paul was not one of the 12 Disciples, he was later chosen supernaturally by Jesus (Acts 9:1-15; 1Co 15:9; Gal 1:15-24) and later endorsed by the 12 Apostles as one of the chief apostles (Gal 2:1-9).
[2] For examples, see Acts 15:23-29 where circumcision is no longer required but idolatry and sexual immorality are still forbidden. Also, Col 2:16-17 where the Sabbath Day is no longer required, but the other 9 of the 10 Commandments still are per Rom 13:8-10.
[3] In the Old Testament, the Prophet Jeremiah foretold of a New Covenant (Jer 31:31-33). Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant based on His atoning death on the Cross (Mat 5:17-18; Luke 22:20). This is why the writer of Hebrews announces, “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (8:13 NIV).
[4] Verified in all 4 Gospels: Mat 28:1; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1-2; John 20:1.
[5] See 1Co 5:17 and Gal 6:15.
[6] See 1Co 10:16 and 11:24.
[7] The word “ekklāsia” is a cognate from “ek” (out) and ‘klāsia” (called). An equivalent word is “assembly.”
[8] 1Co 12:25-27 NIV, “there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
[9] Letter to the Ephesians, 13:1. Author's translation from Greek and info added in brackets for clarity.
(a/d) The phrase "the Lord's Supper" is originally "God's Eucharist" in Greek from εὐχαριστία (eucharistia | thanksgiving) and is historically understood to be an ancient euphemism for the Lord's Supper.
(b/d) The Greek word καθαιρέω (kathaipeo | tear down) is also used in 1Co 10:4-5 LEB in relation to spiritual warfare, “for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but powerful to God for the tearing down of fortresses, tearing down arguments and all pride that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
(c/d) The Greek word λύω (luō | loosed) refers to demonic bondage. Given the context's direct link to Satan, the lexical meaning is, "…freeing someone or something tied or bound… freeing from spiritual bondage set free" (underlined since original words are italicized). See Friberg, Timothy and Neva F. Miller. Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Baker's Greek New Testament Library. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000, entry 17582.
(d/d) Of course, corporate worship involves/implies: (1) truth encounters via the preached Word; (2) repentance via self-examination filtered by the elements of the Lord's Prayer in preparation for the Lord’s Supper; (3) strengthening via grace-infusions per the spiritual gifts [grace = “charis” | gift = “charis-mata”]; (4) other pertinent ministries plus processes of accountability, etc.
[10] Again, you can review the scriptural references by either: (a) reviewing my previous blogs on the Lord’s Prayer [www.stevedabbs.org/blog], or (b) reading chapter 3 of my book “When Demons Surface” where I also list several true stories along with other ancient insights.
[11] My translation with words in brackets implied.
[12] Confirmed in 2 Greek lexicons within the genitive case:
(a) Gingrich, F. Wilbur. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Edited by Frederick W. Danker. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983, entry 2514.I.2.; and
(b) Thayer, Joseph. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Abridged and Revised Thayer Lexicon). Ontario, Canada: Online Bible Foundation, 1997, entry 2033.2.A.II.
[13] Marshall, I. Howard. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Acts. Wm. B. Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 1991, p. 83.
[14] Barker, Kenneth L. and John R. Kohlenberger III, eds. Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, p. 398.
[15] It’s technically in the present middle/active imperative. They literally direct “this you, yourselves, keep praying” (Mat 6:9) and “you keep saying” or “you keep reciting” (Luke 11:2).
[16] Didache or Teaching of the 12 Apostles, 8:2-3; author’s translation from Greek.
[17] Friberg, entry 24042.
[18] Author’s translation from Greek Septuagint (LXX).
