You can download the full audiobook recording on amazon – itunes – douglasjacoby – top20.
R4E130410 – Demonic Possession and Exorcism by Douglas Jacoby – lenght 13:00
- No clear instance in the entire Old Testament.
- Yet stories of the demonic were common in surrounding lands.
- There may be a connection between idolatry and the demonic in Deuteronomy 32:17.
- Was the Lord protecting his people? Or were those outside the covenant people of God merely superstitious.
- In the New Testament, possessions appear only in the early decades.
- Thus exorcism was part of the apostolic mission (Mark 3:13-14).
- No instructions are given in the letters, which deal with practical Christian living. (Were there no longer any active demons in the 50s or 60s?)
- Did the apostles succeed in “mopping up”?
- Could a Christian be possessed? How does that square with 1 Corinthians 10:13?
- Sloppy demonology today
- False personifications of sin. (“A demon of laziness,” for example.)
- Details of possessions and exorcisms do not match what is found in the N.T.
- N.T. exorcisms were highly public, not staged or ambiguous.
- Exorcisms took place immediately; they were not multi-stage events.
- Blaspheming demons? In the N.T., the spirits were respectful.
- The possessed did not acquire Satanic or miraculous powers.
- The demons recognized who Jesus was, but not why he had come to earth (Mark 1:24, 3:11, 5:7; Luke 8:21).
- God concealed his plans from these malevolent powers. His wisdom was hidden (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9): the evil powers orchestrated Christ’s crucifixion (1 Corinthians 2:6-8; John 13:27), yet this was the means by which these same evil powers effect their own ruin (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8).
- Some early Christians believed the demons were fallen angels. Others held different views. In the same way, there are many opinions today.
More Q&A here https://www.douglasjacoby.com/q-a-0335-demons/ – https://www.douglasjacoby.com/q-a-0607-who-are-the-demons/
