Topical Bible: Demons: Cast out by the Disciples

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In the New Testament, the casting out of demons by the disciples of Jesus is a significant demonstration of the authority and power granted to them by Christ. This authority is a testament to the divine mission and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The act of exorcism by the disciples is recorded in several passages, highlighting their role in spiritual warfare and the spread of the Gospel.

Authority Given by Jesus

The authority to cast out demons was explicitly given to the disciples by Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and "gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1). This empowerment was part of their commissioning as they were sent out to preach the message of the Kingdom.

The Seventy-Two Sent Out

In addition to the Twelve, Jesus appointed seventy-two others and sent them out in pairs. Upon their return, they reported with joy, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17). Jesus affirmed their success and authority, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18), indicating the spiritual victory achieved through their mission.

The Case of the Boy with a Demon

A notable instance of the disciples' struggle and eventual success in casting out demons is found in the account of the boy with a demon. Initially, the disciples were unable to drive out the demon, leading to a public dispute. Jesus intervened, rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy. Later, the disciples asked Jesus privately why they could not cast it out. He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). This incident underscores the necessity of faith and reliance on divine power in spiritual matters.

The Apostolic Ministry in Acts

The Book of Acts records the continued ministry of the apostles, including the casting out of demons, as a sign of the Holy Spirit's power at work in the early Church. For instance, Philip, one of the seven deacons, went to Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah. The crowds listened intently as they saw the signs he performed, including the casting out of demons: "With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed" (Acts 8:7).

Paul and the Spirit of Divination

The Apostle Paul also encountered demonic spirits during his missionary journeys. In Philippi, a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination followed Paul and his companions, proclaiming them as servants of the Most High God. Paul, troubled by this, commanded the spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus Christ, and it left her immediately (Acts 16:16-18). This act, while demonstrating the power of Christ over demonic forces, also led to opposition and persecution, as it disrupted the economic gain of her owners.

Conclusion

The casting out of demons by the disciples is a profound aspect of their ministry, reflecting the authority of Jesus Christ and the inbreaking of God's Kingdom. Through faith and the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to confront and overcome the forces of darkness, providing a foretaste of the ultimate victory over evil.

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Mark 9:38
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name, and he follows not us: and we forbade him, because he follows not us.
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Luke 10:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.
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Library

The Casting Out of Devils.
... The disciples, although they had already the power to cast out demons, could
not cast this one out, and were surprised to find it so. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vii the casting out of.htm

A Stubborn Foe Routed.
... part of the reply:""This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer." Some
less-stubborn demons may be cast out by the ... It can be put out by nothing less. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a stubborn foe routed.htm

Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples...
... by certain apparent [3320] miracles to gain over to them the disciples of Jesus ... not
eaten and drunk in Thy name, and by Thy name have cast out demons, and done ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlix jesus accordingly in.htm

And it is not Fitting to Boast at the Casting Forth of the Demons. ...
... not ours but the Saviour's work: and so He said to His disciples: "Rejoice not ... written
in heaven is a proof of our virtuous life, but to cast out demons is a ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 38.htm

Ministry
... He who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men ... to Me I will
in no wise cast out." John 6 ... Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, "Lord, I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 47 ministry.htm

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore shall they be your judges.
[The sons of the Pharisees were not their children, but their disciples (II ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlviii blasphemous accusations of the.htm

From St. Luke's Eleventh ChapterOther Evidence that Christ Comes ...
... that he asked for instruction in prayer, to whom John's disciples also used to ... out
demons by Beelzebub, He said, "If I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxvi from st lukes eleventh.htm

But when Simon Cephas Saw this He Fell Before the Feet of Jesus...
... not that Jesus was himself baptizing, [22] but his disciples); [481] and ... even they
brought to him many that had [51] demons: and he cast out their devils ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section vi but when simon.htm

Healing Peter's Mother-In-Law and Many Others.
... that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many demons ... demons also came out
from many, crying out, and saying ... them, he suffered them { ^b the demons} ^c not ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxii healing peters mother-in-law and.htm

The Last Events in Galilee - the Tribute-Money, the Dispute by the ...
... present when John and the others forbade the man, who would not follow with them,
to cast out demons in Christ's name. Again, the other disciples only came ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the last events.htm