____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ January 9, 2000 ____________________________________________________ Demon-Possession by Tom Edwards The year was 1973; and the movie that was causing quite a stir among many religious people in the Clearwater-area, where I grew up, was called ``The Exorcist.'' It, of course, has been just one of the many films or stories depicting demon-possession in more modern times; but is such an accurate portrayal? Can anyone actually be demon-possessed in our day? Some 20th century, religious charlatans have found an audience among the gullible and deceived and have fueled the flames of their false beliefs by resorting to a simple magician's trick that gives the impression--at least to some--that an actual exorcism has taken place. But, in reality, that ``evil spirit'' supposedly ``yanked'' from the ``possessed'' person's body--but unaware to the audience--was, in one case, nothing more than some of the entrails from a chicken that were hidden in the preacher's hand until the right moment for an ecstatic revealing at the peak of an emotional crescendo. Still, there are others who would deny all the Bible accounts of those who were literally possessed by a demon and, rather, attribute these to merely some form of epilepsy or some other type of physical or mental disorder that was inexplicable to medical science at that time. What, though, does the Scriptures say about demon-possession? First of all, the accounts of demon-possession in the Bible are true. They are not merely physical or mental disorders. As we can note in Luke 8, the demons which possessed the man of the Gerasenes recognized that Jesus was the Son of God (v. 28). The effect that they had on the man possessed was that he was not in his right mind: rather than living in a home, he lived among the tombs and had long wandered about without any clothes. It appears that he was also endowed with a superior strength that enabled him to break free from his chains and shackles, after having been captured and put under guard; and he would then flee from his captors, being ``driven by the demon into the desert'' (v. 29). The demon went by the name of ``Legion'' because there were many demons that had entered this man (v. 30). This, too, is interesting to note: the demons were not merely something the man had conjured up in his mind--or simply a figurative way of expressing a mental disturbance--but rather they had ``entered him'' (ibid.). Furthermore, they had besought the Lord (v. 28); and when He granted their request to enter a herd of swine after leaving the man, the swine were now made to act in a frenzied manner and ended up rushing down a ``steep bank into the lake, and were drowned'' (vv. 31-33). A mental disorder, however, does not jump out of one person and leap into another like an annoying flea leaping from a cat to a dog. So, obviously, this was an actual demon-possession. Demon-possession did not always effect everyone the same way: it could result in different types of manifestations from one person to the next, such as causing some to be dumb (Matt. 9:33), blind and dumb (Matt. 12:22), deaf and dumb (Mark 9:25), or to have convulsions and foam at the mouth (Mark 9:20). Why Did Demon-Possession Exist? Demon-possession appears prevalent during the time of Jesus' ministry and the early church (Luke 7:21; 8:2; Matt. 10:8; Mark 1:34,39). Not only did the casting out of demons demonstrate some of the miracles from God--and give credence to the one who was performing the exorcism, and to his message--but it also showed, undeniably, that God's power was greater than the power of Satan. So it appears that some people were possessed for this purpose: that God's power could be demonstrated in them and through them. Compare this to what Jesus said in John 9:3 with regard to the reason for why this particular man was born blind: ''...it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him.'' And this miraculous healing was manifest promptly, we might add--and not after a prolonged period of weeks with numerous pronouncements that had ended in failure, as portrayed in The Exorcist. Even the Scribes and the Pharisees could not deny that the Lord's miracles of casting out demons were being genuinely performed; so, out of their hatred for Jesus, the only way they could try to dodge the truth was by saying that the Lord ``casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons'' (Matt. 9:34). In other words, they were attributing the Lord's power to Satan, in an attempt to besmirch Jesus' good name and slander His power as something ``evil''; and this malicious accusation of attributing the Lord's power to something evil--even after seeing the indisputable miracles--was the ``blasphemy of the Holy Spirit'' (Matt. 12:32). In addition, Jesus pointed out that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand: it would fall to ruin. Therefore, Satan would not cast out Satan (Matt. 12:24-28), as they claimed the Lord was doing; ''But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you'' (v. 28), Jesus informed them. The Temporary Nature of Demon-Possession It required a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit to cast out demons, and since we know that these gifts of the early church were temporary (cf, 1 Cor. 13:8-10), then we can conclude that demon-possession was also temporary. (See, too, the following series of Gospel Observer bulletins: 4/22,25/90; 5/6/90). Also, according to Zechariah 13:1,2, a time was coming in which ``a fountain'' would be made available for ``sin''; and the ``prophets'' and the ``unclean spirits'' would be removed from the land. The only ``fount'' that can wash away sins is the precious blood of Jesus that freely flowed at Calvary when the Lord made the atonement by His own death on the cross. Because of Christ's death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles ten days after the Lord returned to heaven, which empowered them with the gifts of the Holy Spirit--that also included prophesying and the casting out of demons--until the complete revelation was delivered and confirmed by these miraculous signs (cf, Jude 3; 2 Pet. 1:3,4; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3,4). Now that God's word has been once and for all delivered and confirmed, it no longer needs to be confirmed again. Rather, it is now our responsibility to hear it, to believe it, and to obey it--for therein lies the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). It has been pointed out that the working of miracles, such as casting out demons, was the means God chose to confirm His message; but whose message are they attempting to confirm when so-called exorcists today try to ``exorcise''? This is also true for many others who claim to work miracles in our time. Even if the miraculous gifts of the early church were for today, would God be allowing people to work them who don't even teach His full-plan of salvation? The Bible shows that the steps that lead to the forgiveness of sins are faith, repentance, confessing of faith in Christ, and being baptized in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:36-38; Rom. 10:9,10); but many so-called miracle workers today teach that baptism is not necessary for the forgiveness of sins. Furthermore, many of these who all claim to be led by the Spirit are going in different directions doctrinally. Surely, ''...God is not the author of confusion...'' (1 Cor. 14:33). All of us need to direct our attention to the recorded word of God rather than be misled by personal feelings that some might mistakenly attribute to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Devils or Demons? I would like to additionally point out that though the term ``devils'' is used in the King James Version, there is really only one Devil, Satan. The plural, ``devils,'' is never used in the New American Standard Bible, the New King James Version, the New International Version, the Revised Standard Version, the American Standard Version, and perhaps others as well. For since there is only one Satan, there can be only one devil. Is Satan Totally Powerless Today? Though demon-possession does not exist in our time, this is not to say that people cannot be under Satan's influence. Actually, any time people allow sin to rule in their lives, they are bowing the knee to Satan and becoming a part of his realm of darkness. As the late Kelly Ellis used to say, ``The only power Satan has over you is whatever power you give him.'' In other words, when we are allowing sin to reign in our lives--instead of righteousness--we are yielding to Satan and under his influence. We can't simultaneously have it both ways; for, as Jesus states, ``No man can serve two masters'' (Matt. 6:24). We can't have one foot in the kingdom of light, while the other is in the kingdom of darkness. If we are serving sin, we are serving Satan, which results in spiritual death; but if we are serving God, it will result in righteousness and eternal life (cf, Rom. 6:16-18; 2:6-11). Jesus ultimately triumphed over Satan at Calvary, for it was there that the Lord ``bruised the serpent's head'' (cf, Gen. 3:15), which figuratively expresses Jesus stripping Satan of his control: ``Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives'' (Heb. 2:14,15). When one obeys the gospel, that person is ``delivered...from the domain of darkness, and transferred...to the Kingdom of His beloved Son'' (Col. 1:13). Let us not make the mistake of resorting back to Satan's realm of sin. So, in conclusion, actual demon-possession did exist during the time of the Lord's ministry and the early church. It was temporary, however, just like the miraculous gifts that were given to various Christians in the early church, and does no longer occur today. But, still, we need to be aware of the tricks of the devil, lest we be carried away by sin into the realm of darkness and apostasy from God (cf, 2 Cor. 2:11). For as Peter warns, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). ___________________________________________ ``Mainstream'' Theology by Robert F. Turner In the Dec. 16, 1969 Firm Foundation, Johnny Ramsey wrote, ``it is altogether possible that some men are considered heretics just because they have the quiet, reserved courage to buck the tide of apostasy while those leading us into apostasy are being praised for their sense of timing in public relations? A man is not a heretic when he differs with `the-main-stream of the restoration movement.' He is a heretic if he opposes New Testament Christianity.'' Then, in a Jan. 6, 1970 editorial, bro. Lemmons says, ``The Restoration movement is still in adolescence, but it is showing some signs of maturity. We have all confidence in the sound and Biblical stance the mainstream of the movement has assumed and we believe that its very growth and developing influence is a lesson to elements both to the right and to the left worth consideration.'' The ``mainstream of the movement'' needs quotes, in bro. Ramsey's judgment, and is a standard for nothing. Bro. Lemmons thinks it is maturing (with a Biblical ``stance''), and that its size and influence should be a ``lesson'' to those who are not in the mainstream. I vote for Johnny! And I like my ``lessons'' from the word of God, before they are filtered through the majority opinion of a ``movement.'' There is no surer sign of sectarianism than an appeal to the faith and practice of ``a majority of the Churches of Christ in Texas'' or ``the mainstream of the movement'' -- and I am keeping in mind the fact that bro. Lemmons has ``confidence'' in its sound and Biblical ``stance.'' Trouble is, the ``mainstream of the movement'' is one or more steps removed from the true basis of authority. This is the ``open Sesame'' to partyism; and when ``mainstream'' churches begin to function collectively, it is the grist of denominationalism. It narrows NT brotherhood to ``party fellowship,'' and soon its followers begin to think that truth flows in the channel cut by this ``mainstream.'' The fact is, truth cuts its own channel and is the mainstream which all faithful Christians follow. God is the source of truth, and by this standard we are constantly challenged to climb upward. But ``mainstreams'' of any movement (majority-opinion or ``bulk'' of adherents) have a human source. The ``movement'' begins with zeal, dedication and strong conviction -- but always with something less than the perfect truth of God's word. And -- the testimony of history is that it almost invariably degenerates -- majorities tend to accept less and less truth as a sufficient standard. Of course, differing with the ``mainstream'' doesn't prove one right. Why go to either majority or minority for ``lessons'' when God's word is available? (2 Cor. 10:12-f) I have written, and will continue to write against the iconoclastic spirit that delights in attacking old ``established'' positions -- ego that feeds itself on novelty -- but this not to enthrone ``mainstream'' creeds. Genuine truth seekers are uninhibited -- allowing neither ``our'' nor ``their'' doctrine to replace the truth of God. -- via Plain Talk, March 1970 ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________