Fire and Sword (25 page)

Founded 400 years earlier, Philippi, named after King Philip of Macedon, was an important city, strategically located in a mountain pass. It had been the site of a battle in the Roman Civil Wars between the forces of Cassius and Brutus, conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar, and Octavian, later Augustus Caesar. Paul discovered that there was another sort of battle going on here—a spiritual battle for the minds of men held captive to seducing spirits.

After several days in the city, Paul and Silas had discovered something about Philippi: there was no synagogue. They had met a few Jews, however, and knew that they must congregate somewhere. Luke, a physician who had joined the group at Troas, suggested that they ask someone about the Jews. Paul agreed.

“I’m going to ask this fellow,” Paul said.

Silas and Timothy sat down and watched Paul approach a merchant. Luke left to purchase some food with what was left of their meager savings. The man pointed in one direction, and Paul thanked him and returned. As it turned out, Philippi had no synagogue.

“But he told me the Jews often meet at the river,” Paul said. “They go down there to pray. I look forward to finally meeting the Philippian Jews.”

Silas massaged his aching feet. “And my feet look forward to meeting the river,” he said.

“These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved. Listen to them!”

Lucifer laughed as a woman followed behind Paul and Silas, drawing attention to the men and proclaiming that they were servants of God. Several of the Philippians scoffed at her notions, knowing that she was a local oddity who divined futures for money, which she gave to her master. Lucifer turned to Pellecus.

“She’s marvelous,” he said. “Who did you say is her authority?”

“Pyris,” said Pellecus, as the girl continued down the street following Paul. “He took control after she gave herself over to divination. Now she is only useful to us and to her human master who makes money with her prophecies.”

“Excellent,” said Lucifer. “Paul will look like a fool if he is being credited by her. You’ve done well, Pellecus.”

“Thank you, lord,” the angel said, as the woman proclaimed loudly once more. He looked at her with disgust. “These humans. They want power and then give themselves over to us, thinking they are obtaining it.”

“I’ve always maintained that the human lust for personal power is the easiest pride to influence,” Lucifer said. “I wonder where they get such notions?”

Pellecus smiled.

Silas looked back at the woman. She had been following them for several days now. He looked at Paul, who seemed lost in prayer as they walked. Luke merely shrugged. Silas shook his head and murmured under his breath.

“Did you say something, Silas?” Paul asked.

“That woman,” Silas said. “She continually follows us and proclaims us as messengers of the one true God.”

Paul stopped walking.

“She speaks truth, does she not?” Paul said. He winked at Luke.

“Well, yes,” said Silas. “But…”

“And didn’t our Lord say that we should receive all sorts?”

“Of course, but…”

“Then what is the matter?”

“She’s demonized! Can’t you see that?”

Paul laughed. So did the others. Silas finally realized that Paul was playing with him. He grinned at the group.

“Very funny,” Silas said. “But what about her?”

Paul looked at the woman.

“I think it’s time these Philippians were introduced to
real
power.”

Pyris watched Paul turn and look at him. He could sense something building in opposition to his authority in the woman. He glanced over to where Lucifer and Pellecus stood. They urged him on. Pyris spoke once more through the woman.

“These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved,” the woman shouted.

Paul approached the woman as a crowd began gathering. They were curious as to how these men would handle the strange woman. Some thought they might beat her and stood ready to help. Others thought she was working with them. Paul stood in front of the woman and looked intently into her eyes. Pyris, feeling the heat of God’s presence, began to give way.

“In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”

Pyris wrenched violently, and the woman was tossed down, writhing on the ground. The crowd stepped back, gasping at the sight. But the spirit could not maintain control and was compelled to leave her. He had experienced this once before—when Jesus had cast him out of a man in Caesarea Philippi.

When the spirit left the woman, she immediately stopped thrashing around.

Pyris sheepishly made his way to Lucifer and Pellecus. He could not look his master in the eyes. Lucifer stared at him intently—and then relaxed.

“We can fight many things,” he finally said. “Except for the cooperation of the Spirit of the Most High with humans. I suggest, Pyris, that you limit yourself to influencing behavior rather than managing it.”

Pyris nodded in agreement and vanished.

“That certainly didn’t last long,” said Pellecus. “I was hoping for a complete discrediting by the people.”

Lucifer noticed a man approaching the crowd.

“Perhaps they will still discredit them,” he said. “Perhaps they will
more
than discredit them.”

“What do you mean?” asked Pellecus.

“Those men are the owners of that woman,” Lucifer said. “And they aren’t very happy with Paul right now!”

Paul and Silas stood before the magistrates—the city officials of Philippi. They had been seized and taken to the marketplace, accused of unlawful practices by the owners of the woman. The truth was that they made money off this woman’s fortunetelling and were furious with Paul for this loss of income.

Pellecus and Lucifer stood at the side. Opposite them, on the other side of the crowd, they saw Serus and Crispin. Lucifer acknowledged the angels.

“Well, well,” he said. “Paul is in trouble again. Broke the law, it seems.”

“The only thing Paul broke was your spirit’s ability to hold that poor girl,” said Crispin. “You’re finished, Lucifer!”

“I concede that humans like Paul have an authority that we cannot resist,” Lucifer said. “But most humans don’t have the patience to discover the power at their disposal.”

“That is why Paul is in Philippi,” said Serus. “To demonstrate the power that the Spirit of the Most High gives the Church.”

“Poor Serus,” said Pellecus. “You see this Church and see a great potential for power; I look at the Church and see a great potential for failure. Never put your trust in humans, Serus. The Lord learned that in Eden when Adam turned on him.”

Pellecus smiled at this.

“I wouldn’t worry, Lucifer,” said Crispin. “The Most High is well acquainted with His creatures turning on Him.”

The sound of singing filled the prison—something that was foreign to so dismal a place. The other prisoners thought that perhaps the men who had been beaten and brought in earlier were drunk. It certainly sounded like it.

In the innermost cell of the Philippian jail, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns. The wounds on their bodies were still throbbing and tender. Even though they had been handled roughly and jailed, Paul felt honored that they were deemed worthy to suffer for the Lord.

Serus watched the two men—amazed that they could be singing praises to the Lord at such a time. The atmosphere of the prison was being transformed from grim to glorious, so that most of the enemy spirits who frequented such places had been driven away. He wondered what he might do for these men—and didn’t have to wait long.

“You may free them,” came a voice.

Serus turned to see Gabriel standing behind him.

“Gabriel! I was waiting your instruction.”

These men may be freed,” said Gabriel. “The Most High has ordered their liberty.”

“How shall they be freed?” Serus asked.

As he finished these words, the place began shaking.

“I believe the Lord is about to show you.”