The Central Role of Deliverance in the Ministry of Jesus
Casting out demons was a regular part of the ministry of Jesus–something He did on a consistent basis. Much of the church has ignored or neglected the area of deliverance, but for Jesus and His followers, deliverance was normal! As was the case with many believers in the Western Church, deliverance from evil spirits is a foreign concept. We read about it in the New Testament accounts, but don’t see it happening in many churches and so we don’t understand how it is relevant to our lives.
Jesus, the Deliverer
But for Jesus, deliverance was completely normal. In fact, when He began His earthly ministry, it was His authority to cast out demons that first caught people’s attention. Jesus was preaching and teaching in the synagogue when the people recognized something different about Him: His teaching carried authority. His words had a weightiness they were not used to hearing from the scribes and teachers of the law.
The power and anointing with which Jesus taught began to stir up the demonic; a man with an unclean spirit suddenly burst into a manifestation and cried out. But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. The people were astonished. They questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
Authority and Power Over Demons
Every born again believer has authority, power and victory over satan, demons and all the kingdom of hell in Christ Jesus. Deliverance from demons was not a rare activity only reserved for the most extreme of situations; it was everyday life and ministry, a normal part of the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached. Deliverance was an open demonstration of the defeat of satan, showing that Someone greater was here. It was part of the reason that Jesus came, to destroy the works of the devil.
Deliverance ministry is a Christian practice concentrated on casting out or ridding people of demons or evil spirits because they are causing harm or diverting a person’s attention from God. Those providing deliverance ministry care for the person’s inner being/soul and invite Christ to set them free, bring inner healing, and provide greater peace. This encompasses supporting people with varying degrees of demonization, from being demonically influenced to being demonically possessed (controlled).
History of Exorcists and Deliverance
The origins of deliverance are rooted in ancient religious beliefs, and the concept has evolved over time. Below is a brief overview of its development across different eras in church history:
| Era | Historical Context and Development |
|---|---|
| Biblical Era (1st Century) | In the ministry of Jesus, He cast out demons (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 4:33-36), and the apostles continued this practice (Acts 16:16-18). |
| Early Church (1st–5th Century) | Leaders such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus documented exorcisms. Many early baptismal rites included explicit exorcisms. |
| Medieval Era (6th–16th Century) | The Roman Catholic Church formalized exorcism procedures. St Benedict’s Rule taught monks to perform exorcism. |
A Compassionate Approach to Ministry
A person is not a demon. Respect the person; rebuke the spirit. For the case of compassion, deliverance is a topic that needs to be covered in the love of Christ and led with empathy, knowing that humanity is broken, but God is making things beautiful all the time. Greater freedom for a person is a biblical concept worthy of our conversation and attention. In this ministry, you will learn about:
- Demons and Deliverance: The biblical teaching on the topic of demons and deliverance.
- The Three Levels of Demonic Habitation: Understanding how the enemy can inhabit a life.
- The Gift, Ministry, and Office of Deliverance: Stepping into the authority we have in Christ.
Exorcism has been in the entertainment circuit for years with movies like The Exorcist (1973), depicting those demonized by having physical contortions, changes in voice, and violent behavior. One will recognize many similarities in depicting those demonized in the movies to the biblical accounts. However, historically, exorcism is not just a Hollywood thing. One of the signs we are in the last days is a greater release of the authority, power and victory of God over the kingdom of hell through deliverance in the Church.