“What does the Bible teach “What does the Bible teach about demon possession?” about demon possession?”

““What does the Bible teach What does the Bible teach about demon possession?”about demon possession?”

DEMON DEMON POSSESSIONPOSSESSION

Judge Commits 8 Over Exorcism Killings Judge Commits 8 Over Exorcism Killings

MEXICO CITY - “A judge committed eight relatives to MEXICO CITY - “A judge committed eight relatives to the psychiatric ward of a prison Thursday for the the psychiatric ward of a prison Thursday for the ritualistic slayings of two young family members ritualistic slayings of two young family members that shocked Mexico with their brutality. that shocked Mexico with their brutality.

““Officials said the parents, grandparents and aunts Officials said the parents, grandparents and aunts of a 7-month-old and 13-year-old hacked the baby to of a 7-month-old and 13-year-old hacked the baby to death and fatally stoned the teenager earlier this death and fatally stoned the teenager earlier this month after month after they became convinced the girls were they became convinced the girls were demons or possessed by the devil.demons or possessed by the devil.

““Judge Ana Maria Raya Razo, who committed each Judge Ana Maria Raya Razo, who committed each family member for 40 years, told The Associated family member for 40 years, told The Associated Press they had acknowledged killing the girls toPress they had acknowledged killing the girls to

save themselves from save themselves from demonsdemons. The slayings were . The slayings were accompanied by prayers, candle-lighting and the accompanied by prayers, candle-lighting and the sacrifice of farm animals, officials said.” sacrifice of farm animals, officials said.” (Mark Stevenson, (Mark Stevenson, AP 12/16/05 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_ AP 12/16/05 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051216/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_ exorcism_killings_1)exorcism_killings_1)

Minister gets 30 months in boy's deathMinister gets 30 months in boy's deathJudge also bars him from performing Judge also bars him from performing

other exorcismsother exorcisms

““A Milwaukee minister whose attempt to perform an A Milwaukee minister whose attempt to perform an exorcism ended in the death of an 8-year-old boy exorcism ended in the death of an 8-year-old boy was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison and was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison and 7 1/2 years of state supervision for the botched ritual 7 1/2 years of state supervision for the botched ritual last August.”last August.” (Derek Nunnally, 8/17/04,http://www. jsonline.com/news/me- (Derek Nunnally, 8/17/04,http://www. jsonline.com/news/me- tro/aug04/251920.asp)tro/aug04/251920.asp)

Leave exorcism to the experts, warns ChurchLeave exorcism to the experts, warns Church

““A far cry from sorcerers, satanists and other A far cry from sorcerers, satanists and other practitioners whom he dismisses as ‘charlatans,’ practitioners whom he dismisses as ‘charlatans,’ Italian Italian exorcist exorcist Andrea Gemma fights the devil only Andrea Gemma fights the devil only with the strength of his prayers and advises with the strength of his prayers and advises Catholics: Catholics:

““'Don't do this at home’. 'Don't do this at home’. Faced with a classroom of 50 priests intent on Faced with a classroom of 50 priests intent on learning how best to take on the devil, the veteran learning how best to take on the devil, the veteran Gemma profiles his ideal comrade at arms, Gemma profiles his ideal comrade at arms, spiritually-speaking: ‘Live a holy life, work hard and spiritually-speaking: ‘Live a holy life, work hard and be devoted to the be devoted to the Madonna’Madonna’. .

“…“….Father Gemma [sic] is also convinced. In his .Father Gemma [sic] is also convinced. In his small southern Italian diocese of Isernia, which has small southern Italian diocese of Isernia, which has a population of 60,000 souls, he has nominated four a population of 60,000 souls, he has nominated four exorcist priestsexorcist priests -- well above the Italian average, -- well above the Italian average, where priests authorised to carry out where priests authorised to carry out exorcisms exorcisms number in the several hundreds. number in the several hundreds.

““But he criticised the Italian bishops' council for But he criticised the Italian bishops' council for being being insufficiently committed to hunting down insufficiently committed to hunting down demons,demons, though he said he was encouraged by Pope though he said he was encouraged by Pope Benedict XVI's recent public support for priests Benedict XVI's recent public support for priests tasked with such missions. tasked with such missions.

“…“….Asked about his method of discerning real cases .Asked about his method of discerning real cases of possession from other psychological illnesses, of possession from other psychological illnesses, the priest revealed his ‘secret weapon’: the priest revealed his ‘secret weapon’: ‘If I speak ‘If I speak Latin, the demon responds to me in Latin. He has a Latin, the demon responds to me in Latin. He has a horror of that language.’"horror of that language.’" (Oct 14,2005 (Oct 14,2005http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/14/051014065727.8u8g6jey.html)

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/14/051014065727.8u8g6jey.html

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/14/051014065727.8u8g6jey.html

““There is, of course, a true doctrine about There is, of course, a true doctrine about demons or evil spirits, namely, demons or evil spirits, namely, that portion of that portion of Catholic theology Catholic theology which treats of the creation which treats of the creation and fall of the rebel angels, and of the various and fall of the rebel angels, and of the various ways in which these fallen spirits are permitted ways in which these fallen spirits are permitted to tempt and afflict the children to tempt and afflict the children of men.” (of men.” (W.H. KENT “Demonology”, p. 2 Transcribed by Tomas W.H. KENT “Demonology”, p. 2 Transcribed by Tomas Hancil,Hancil, The Catholic Encyclopedia, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IV Copyright © 1908 by Volume IV Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company Online Edition Copyright © 1999 by Robert Appleton Company Online Edition Copyright © 1999 by Kevin Knight Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur. +John Kevin Knight Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York)M. Farley, Archbishop of New York)

DEMON POSSESSIONDEMON POSSESSIONI. SOME TEXTS IN THE BIBLE RELEVANT TO THIS I. SOME TEXTS IN THE BIBLE RELEVANT TO THIS STUDYSTUDY

Demons in the Old Testament:Demons in the Old Testament:

*Lev.17:7, Lev.17:7, "They shall no more offer their sacrifices "They shall no more offer their sacrifices to to demonsdemons, after whom they have played the harlot. , after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” (their generations.” (NKJV, KJVNKJV, KJV) ) *Deut.32:17, “Deut.32:17, “They sacrificed unto They sacrificed unto demonsdemons, , which which werewere no God, To gods that they knew not, To new no God, To gods that they knew not, To new godsgods that came up of late, Which your fathers that came up of late, Which your fathers dreaded not.”dreaded not.”*2 Chron.11:15, “2 Chron.11:15, “Then he appointed for himself Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the priests for the high places, for the demonsdemons, and the , and the calf idols which he had made.” (calf idols which he had made.” (NKJV, KJVNKJV, KJV))*Psa.106:37, “Psa.106:37, “Yea, they sacrificed their sons and Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto their daughters unto demonsdemons…”…”

•The demoniac in the synagogue The demoniac in the synagogue (Mk. 1:23-26; Lk. (Mk. 1:23-26; Lk. 4:33-36). 4:33-36). •The Gerasene demoniacs The Gerasene demoniacs (Matt 8:8:28-34; Mk. 5:1-(Matt 8:8:28-34; Mk. 5:1-20; Lk. 8:26-39). 20; Lk. 8:26-39). •The Syrophoenician girl The Syrophoenician girl (Matt. 15:21-28; Mk. 7:24-(Matt. 15:21-28; Mk. 7:24-30). 30). •The epileptic boy The epileptic boy (Mt. 17:14-21; Mk. 9:14-29; (Mt. 17:14-21; Mk. 9:14-29; Lk. 9:37-43). Lk. 9:37-43). •The mute demoniac The mute demoniac (Matt. 9: 32-34). (Matt. 9: 32-34). •The blind and mute demoniac The blind and mute demoniac (Matt. 12:22-30; Lk. (Matt. 12:22-30; Lk. 11:15). 11:15). •The woman with the spirit of divination The woman with the spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-(Acts 16:16-18) 18) Other cases mentioned:Other cases mentioned: Matt 4:24;7:22; 8:16; 8:28;10:8; Matt 4:24;7:22; 8:16; 8:28;10:8; 12:43-4512:43-45; Mk. 1:32-; Mk. 1:32-34, 39; 3:15; 6:13; 9:38; 16:9, 17; Lk. 4:41; 8:2; 9:1; 9:49; 10:17; 11:24-26; 13:3234, 39; 3:15; 6:13; 9:38; 16:9, 17; Lk. 4:41; 8:2; 9:1; 9:49; 10:17; 11:24-26; 13:32

CASES OF DEMON POSSESSION PRESENTEDCASES OF DEMON POSSESSION PRESENTEDIN SOME DETAIL IN THE N.T.:IN SOME DETAIL IN THE N.T.:


II. WHAT ARE DEMONS?II. WHAT ARE DEMONS?

““a spirit, being inferior to God, a spirit, being inferior to God, superior to men….an evil spirit” superior to men….an evil spirit”

((ThayerThayer, pp. 123-124); “demon, evil , pp. 123-124); “demon, evil spirit” (spirit” (A&G, A&G, p. 169)p. 169)

Demon used interchangeably with:Demon used interchangeably with:Lk. 4:33,Lk. 4:33, “And in the synagogue there was a man, “And in the synagogue there was a man, that had athat had a spiritspirit of an unclean of an unclean demondemon; and he cried ; and he cried out with a loud voice.”out with a loud voice.”Lk. 9:42,Lk. 9:42, “And as he was yet a coming, the “And as he was yet a coming, the demondemon dashed him down, and tare dashed him down, and tare himhim grievously. But grievously. But Jesus rebuked the Jesus rebuked the unclean spiritunclean spirit, and healed the , and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.”boy, and gave him back to his father.”Lk. 7:21,Lk. 7:21, “In that hour he cured many of diseases “In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and and plagues and evil spiritsevil spirits; and on many that were ; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.” blind he bestowed sight.” Compare:Compare: Matt. 4:24,Matt. 4:24, “…And they brought unto him all that “…And they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with torments, possessed with demonsdemons, and epileptic, , and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.” and palsied; and he healed them.” Lk. 24:39Lk. 24:39


II. WHAT ARE DEMONS?II. WHAT ARE DEMONS? A. A. Definition of demonDefinition of demon B. B. Words with which it is used interchangeablyWords with which it is used interchangeably C. C. The nature of demonsThe nature of demons

1. They are in unity with Satan and are part of his 1. They are in unity with Satan and are part of his kingdom,kingdom, Matt. 12:26. Matt. 12:26.2. They can exist outside of a host and they could 2. They can exist outside of a host and they could enter and exit human beingsenter and exit human beings, Matt. 12:43-45., Matt. 12:43-45.3. As spirit entities, demons could exercise both 3. As spirit entities, demons could exercise both volition and locomotionvolition and locomotion, Matt. 12:44-45, Matt. 12:44-454. Their moral nature is evil or “unclean,”4. Their moral nature is evil or “unclean,”Mt.12:43-45Mt.12:43-455. Some are more evil than others5. Some are more evil than others, Matt.12:45, Matt.12:456. They possess knowledge of the divine6. They possess knowledge of the divine, Matt. 8:29; , Matt. 8:29; Mk. 1:24; Jas.2:19Mk. 1:24; Jas.2:197. They could speak7. They could speak, Matt. 8:29; Mk. 1:24, Matt. 8:29; Mk. 1:248. They have free moral agency, individuality,8. They have free moral agency, individuality,responsibility. They maintain a separate personality responsibility. They maintain a separate personality while inhabiting a bodywhile inhabiting a body, Matt. 12:43-45, Matt. 12:43-459. They had power: “possessed with demons” 9. They had power: “possessed with demons” (Matt. (Matt. 4:24; 8:16); Matt. 12:43-45; Mk. 5:1ff4:24; 8:16); Matt. 12:43-45; Mk. 5:1ff

The Nature of Demons:The Nature of Demons:



III. THE EFFECTS OF DEMON POSSESSIONIII. THE EFFECTS OF DEMON POSSESSIONA. A. Demon possessed people were affected in Demon possessed people were affected in different ways:different ways:

• DumbnessDumbness, Matt. 9:33, Matt. 9:33• BlindnessBlindness, Matt. 12:22, Matt. 12:22• DeafnessDeafness, Mk. 9:25, Mk. 9:25• Insanity, superhuman strengthInsanity, superhuman strength, Mk. 5:2-5, 15, Mk. 5:2-5, 15• EpilepsyEpilepsy, Matt. 17:15; Mk. 9:18, Matt. 17:15; Mk. 9:18

B. B. The Bible says The Bible says demonsdemons causedcaused these these effectseffects

The Gospel of Matthew:The Gospel of Matthew:

4:23-24, “And Jesus went about in all Galilee, 4:23-24, “And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of all manner of diseasedisease and and all manner of sicknessall manner of sickness among the among the people. And the report of him went forth into all people. And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sicksick, , holden with divers diseasesholden with divers diseases and and tormentstorments,, possessed with demonspossessed with demons, and , and epileptiepileptic, and c, and palsied; and he healed them.”palsied; and he healed them.”

10:1, “And he called unto him his twelve disciples, 10:1, “And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over and gave them authority over unclean spiritsunclean spirits, to , to cast them out, and to heal cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseaseall manner of disease and and all manner of sicknessall manner of sickness.”.”



III. THE EFFECTS OF DEMON POSSESSIONIII. THE EFFECTS OF DEMON POSSESSION

IV. WHY DID DEMONS POSSESS PEOPLE IN THE IV. WHY DID DEMONS POSSESS PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE?BIBLE?

A. A. Demon possession was not necessarily Demon possession was not necessarily connected with sinfulnessconnected with sinfulness, Mk. 9:14-29; Matt. 17:18; , Mk. 9:14-29; Matt. 17:18; Luke 9:42; Mark 7:25. Luke 9:42; Mark 7:25.

Jesus’ rebuking demons but not the demoniacs:Jesus’ rebuking demons but not the demoniacs:\\

Lk. 4:33, 35,Lk. 4:33, 35, “And in the synagogue there was a “And in the synagogue there was a man, that had a spirit of an unclean demon…. And man, that had a spirit of an unclean demon…. And Jesus Jesus rebukedrebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the demon had thrown come out of him. And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no hurt.”done him no hurt.”Lk. 9:42,Lk. 9:42, “And as he was yet a coming, the demon “And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare dashed him down, and tare himhim grievously. But grievously. But Jesus Jesus rebuked rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.”boy, and gave him back to his father.”Mk. 9:25, Mk. 9:25, “And“And whenwhen JesusJesus sawsaw that a multitude came that a multitude came running together, he running together, he rebukedrebuked the unclean spirit, say- the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command ing unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”





A. A. Demon possession was not necessarily Demon possession was not necessarily connected with sinfulnessconnected with sinfulness

B. B. It could be connected with a lack of commitment It could be connected with a lack of commitment to Godto God, Matt. 12:43-45, , Matt. 12:43-45, C. C. They were allowed by GodThey were allowed by God, Mk. 5:10-14; Job 1-2, Mk. 5:10-14; Job 1-2





V. THE DIVINE PURPOSE IN ALLOWING DEMON V. THE DIVINE PURPOSE IN ALLOWING DEMON POSSESSION,POSSESSION, Matt. 12:28-29 Matt. 12:28-29

Former state:Former state:

4:384:38, "We perish", "We perish"

5:35:3, "Had his dwelling a-, "Had his dwelling a-mong the tombs; and no mong the tombs; and no man could bind him, no man could bind him, no not with chains"not with chains"

5:25-26,5:25-26, "Had an issue of "Had an issue of blood twelve years...had blood twelve years...had spent all she had, and spent all she had, and was nothing bettered, but was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse"rather grew worse"

5:35,5:35, "thy daughter is "thy daughter is dead”dead”

Latter state:Latter state:

4:39, 4:39, "And the wind "And the wind ceased, and there was a ceased, and there was a great calm"great calm"

5:15,5:15, "Sitting and clothed, "Sitting and clothed, and in his right mind"and in his right mind"

5:29,5:29, "Straightway the "Straightway the fountain of her blood was fountain of her blood was dried up"dried up"

5:42,5:42, "Straightway the "Straightway the damsel arose, and walkeddamsel arose, and walked

"The argument of this section...proves "The argument of this section...proves the divine the divine power of Jesuspower of Jesus by showing that he could control by by showing that he could control by a word the winds and the waves of the sea; could a word the winds and the waves of the sea; could direct and compel movements of demons; could by direct and compel movements of demons; could by his touch remove incurable diseases; and could his touch remove incurable diseases; and could instantly raise the dead. In other words, it proves instantly raise the dead. In other words, it proves the sufficiency of his power to save to the uttermost the sufficiency of his power to save to the uttermost all who come to him, by proving that all the dangers all who come to him, by proving that all the dangers to which we are exposed, whether from the forces of to which we are exposed, whether from the forces of the physical world, the malice of evil spirits, the the physical world, the malice of evil spirits, the power of disease, or the hand of death, may be power of disease, or the hand of death, may be averted at his command, and that they will be in averted at his command, and that they will be in behalf of all who put themselves under his behalf of all who put themselves under his protection." (J.W.McGarvey, protection." (J.W.McGarvey, Commentary on Commentary on Matthew-Mark,Matthew-Mark, p. 297, my emph, sw) p. 297, my emph, sw)






VI. THE NEW TESTAMENT –VS– TODAYVI. THE NEW TESTAMENT –VS– TODAY

The demon possesed The demon possesed were afflicted were afflicted physically or physically or mentally by a mentally by a

malfunction of what malfunction of what were otherwise were otherwise

normal human traits.normal human traits.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENTIN THE NEW TESTAMENT TODAYTODAY

Roman Catholic priest Roman Catholic priest Luigi Novagese (the Luigi Novagese (the

official exorcist for the official exorcist for the papal diocese in Rome), papal diocese in Rome),

"A man's skin turned "A man's skin turned white like paper, his white like paper, his

teeth became teeth became transparent, his eyes transparent, his eyes bulged with balls of bulged with balls of

flame and fire issued flame and fire issued from his mouth." from his mouth." (via (via Wayne Jackson, “Demons: Wayne Jackson, “Demons:

Ancient Superstition or Historical Ancient Superstition or Historical Reality?”Reality?”

The demon possesed The demon possesed were afflicted were afflicted physically or physically or mentally by a mentally by a

malfunction of what malfunction of what were otherwise were otherwise

normal human traits.normal human traits.


In the movie “The In the movie “The Exorcist,” the demon Exorcist,” the demon

causes the possessed's causes the possessed's head to turn completely head to turn completely

around 360 degrees.around 360 degrees.

Demons were able to Demons were able to come into and go out come into and go out

of a person at willof a person at will, , Matt. 12:43-45Matt. 12:43-45


Jas. 4:7, “Be subject Jas. 4:7, “Be subject therefore unto God; but therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he resist the devil, and he

will flee from you.”will flee from you.”

In two cases of demon In two cases of demon possession the possession the

unclean spirits could unclean spirits could empower their hosts empower their hosts

with supernatural with supernatural strength strength (Mark 5:1-20; (Mark 5:1-20;

cf. cf. Acts 19:13-16).Acts 19:13-16). “No “No man could any more man could any more

bind him, no, not with bind him, no, not with a chain.” a chain.”


"If we have demon-"If we have demon-possessed people possessed people today, why in my today, why in my

travels in over forty travels in over forty countries of the world countries of the world

have I never seen a have I never seen a person who is so person who is so

strong that you can't strong that you can't bind him with chains bind him with chains (cf. Mk. 5:3)?" (cf. Mk. 5:3)?" (Edwards, (Edwards,

Earl, "Powers of Darkness-Earl, "Powers of Darkness-Demon Possession," Settled in Demon Possession," Settled in Heaven, p. 135, ed. David Lipe, Heaven, p. 135, ed. David Lipe,

via Jackson)via Jackson)

Those possessed Those possessed recognized and recognized and respected deity respected deity ((Mk. 1:24; 3:11Mk. 1:24; 3:11) )


So-called modern So-called modern demons give out demons give out

bursts of blasphemy bursts of blasphemy and curses.and curses.

The ability to cast out The ability to cast out demons was given in demons was given in order to confirm the order to confirm the truth of the Gospel truth of the Gospel

message message (Mark 16:17-(Mark 16:17-20).20).


Modern "exorcists" Modern "exorcists" preach everything but preach everything but

the Gospel! the Gospel!

Jesus did not cast out devils in some Jesus did not cast out devils in some dark, secluded room but in publicdark, secluded room but in public, Matt. , Matt.

4:23-24; 12:22-29; Lk. 4:33-36, etc.4:23-24; 12:22-29; Lk. 4:33-36, etc.


Why Is It Different Today from the Jesus’ Day?Why Is It Different Today from the Jesus’ Day?

• Jesus came to destroy the works of the devilJesus came to destroy the works of the devil, , Matt. 12:29; Jno. 12:31; Col 2:15Matt. 12:29; Jno. 12:31; Col 2:15

• It was prophesied that demons would cease, It was prophesied that demons would cease, Zech.13:1-2; 12:10; 13:7Zech.13:1-2; 12:10; 13:7

• Casting out demons was a miraculous sign; these Casting out demons was a miraculous sign; these signs ceased after the word of God was confirmed signs ceased after the word of God was confirmed and completedand completed, Mk. 16:15-20; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. , Mk. 16:15-20; Heb. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 13:8-1013:8-10

Mark 16:15-20

"Preach the gospel”"Preach the gospel”

Purpose:Purpose:

to saveto save((v. 16v. 16))

"These signs shall fol- "These signs shall fol- low them that believe"low them that believe"

Purpose:Purpose:

to confirm wordto confirm word(v. 20(v. 20))

NEEDED NOW?NEEDED NOW?

YesYes

Why?Why?

Men are still lost.Men are still lost.

Word is needed.Word is needed.

No No

Why not?Why not?

The word has The word has been confirmed.been confirmed.

Signs are not Signs are not needed.needed.

1. Satan is still active today1. Satan is still active today, 1 Pet. 5:8-9, 1 Pet. 5:8-9

2. As part of Satan’s kingdom 2. As part of Satan’s kingdom (Matt. 12:26),(Matt. 12:26), demons are also active todaydemons are also active today: 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Cor. : 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 Cor. 10:19-2110:19-21

3. Our responsibility today with regard to 3. Our responsibility today with regard to demonsdemons, Eph. 6:10-12; 1 Pet. 5:9, Eph. 6:10-12; 1 Pet. 5:9

Demons Today






VI. THE NEW TESTAMENT –VS– TODAYVI. THE NEW TESTAMENT –VS– TODAY

Documents

“What does the Bible teach “What does the Bible teach about demon possession?” about demon possession?”