by Ester yusufu | 2 September 2019 08:46 pm09
ANSWER:
In Acts 19:13 we read:
“Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.’”
These men were traveling Jewish exorcists—religious individuals who went from place to place attempting to cast out evil spirits using various methods. Although they tried to use the name of Jesus, they had no personal relationship with Him, and no spiritual authority from God. Their actions were based on imitation, not faith.
“Exorcists”means “to drive out demons.” It’s a general term used for exorcism. However, just because someone appears to cast out demons doesn’t mean they are doing it by the Spirit of God.
There are two sources of spiritual power at work in the world:
According to the Bible, true believers have been given authority to cast out demons in the name of Jesus:
Mark 16:17
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…”
This authority is not based on rituals, oils, or charms—but solely through faith in the finished work of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers:
Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
When a Christian casts out a demon in the name of Jesus, the person is completely delivered. If the demon caused physical illness (e.g., stomach pain or seizures), both the spirit and its effects leave. Healing, peace, and freedom follow.
But not all “deliverance” is true deliverance.
Witch doctors, spirit mediums, and occult healers—though they may claim to remove demons—do not operate by the Spirit of God. Their methods are based on demonic manipulation. They don’t remove demons; they simply replace weaker spirits with stronger ones.
For example:
If a person is tormented by a demon that causes stomach problems, and they visit a traditional healer, the healer might summon a stronger spirit—such as a demon of infertility or mental torment—to suppress the weaker one. The result? Temporary relief from stomach pain, but the person eventually experiences a more severe problem, like barrenness or insanity.
This is not true healing—it is deception. The kingdom of darkness simply rearranges its forces.
Jesus exposed this deception when He said:
Matthew 12:26
“And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?”
Satan doesn’t defeat himself. He only shifts strategy. That’s why witch doctors and occult exorcists are powerless to bring true freedom—because they are still under Satan’s dominion.
Imagine trying to solve a rat problem by releasing a snake into your house. The snake might kill a few rats, but eventually, the snake itself becomes a greater danger than the rats were. That’s exactly what happens in false deliverance—one demon is replaced by another, often worse than the first.
In Acts 19:14–16, the Jewish exorcists tried to copy Paul’s use of Jesus’ name, saying:
“I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
But the demon replied:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
And the possessed man attacked them violently, leaving them wounded and naked.
They used the right name—but without a real relationship with Jesus or authority from God. This shows us that spiritual power cannot be borrowed or imitated. Only those who are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit have the authority to confront demons.
To walk in spiritual authority, one must first be born again through faith in Jesus Christ:
John 1:12
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Only Jesus can truly set people free from demonic bondage—not religious titles, not rituals, and certainly not witchcraft.
If you’re seeking freedom from demonic oppression, do not turn to traditional healers or false prophets. Run to Jesus Christ, the only One with power to save, heal, and deliver completely.
Colossians 1:13
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Be blessed in the truth of Christ.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/09/02/questionwho-were-the-exorcists-mentioned-in-the-bible-and-what-kind-of-people-were-they/
Copyright ©2025 Wingu la Mashahidi unless otherwise noted.