{"id":52091,"date":"2019-09-02T13:50:21","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T10:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=52091"},"modified":"2025-07-04T15:39:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T12:39:45","slug":"questionwho-were-the-exorcists-mentioned-in-the-bible-and-what-kind-of-people-were-they","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/09\/02\/questionwho-were-the-exorcists-mentioned-in-the-bible-and-what-kind-of-people-were-they\/","title":{"rendered":"QUESTION:Who were the \u201cexorcists\u201d mentioned in the Bible, and what kind of people were they?"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANSWER:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Acts 19:13 <\/strong>we read:<\/p>\n

\u201cThen some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, \u2018I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These men were traveling Jewish exorcists<\/strong>\u2014religious 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<\/strong>, and no spiritual authority from God. Their actions were based on imitation, not faith.<\/p>\n

\n

What Does\u201cexorcists\u201dMean?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cExorcists\u201dmeans \u201cto drive out demons.\u201d It’s a general term used for exorcism. However, just because someone appears to cast out demons doesn\u2019t mean they are doing it by the Spirit of God.<\/p>\n

There are two sources<\/strong> of spiritual power at work in the world:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. God\u2019s power through Jesus Christ<\/strong>, and<\/li>\n
  2. Satan\u2019s deceptive power through sorcery, witchcraft, or occult practices.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    True Deliverance Comes Through Jesus Christ<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    According to the Bible, true believers<\/strong> have been given authority to cast out demons in the name of Jesus:<\/p>\n

    Mark 16:17<\/strong>
    \n\u201cAnd these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    This authority is not based on rituals, oils, or charms\u2014but solely through faith in the finished work of Christ<\/strong>, and the power of the Holy Spirit<\/strong> dwelling in believers:<\/p>\n

    Luke 10:19\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n\u201cBehold, I have given you authority\u2026 over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    When a Christian casts out a demon in the name of Jesus, the person is completely delivered<\/strong>. If the demon caused physical illness (e.g., stomach pain or seizures), both the spirit and its effects<\/strong> leave. Healing, peace, and freedom follow.<\/p>\n

    \n

    False Deliverance: A Deeper Bondage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    But not all \u201cdeliverance\u201d is true deliverance.<\/p>\n

    Witch doctors, spirit mediums, and occult healers\u2014though they may claim to remove demons\u2014do not operate by the Spirit of God<\/strong>. Their methods are based on demonic manipulation. They don\u2019t remove demons; they simply replace weaker spirits with stronger ones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    For example:
    \nIf a person is tormented by a demon that causes stomach problems, and they visit a traditional healer, the healer might summon a stronger spirit\u2014such as a demon of infertility or mental torment\u2014to suppress the weaker one<\/strong>. The result? Temporary relief from stomach pain, but the person eventually experiences a more severe problem<\/strong>, like barrenness or insanity.<\/p>\n

    This is not true healing<\/strong>\u2014it is deception. The kingdom of darkness simply rearranges its forces.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Biblical Evidence: Satan Doesn\u2019t Fight Himself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Jesus exposed this deception when He said:<\/p>\n

    Matthew 12:26\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n\u201cAnd if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Satan doesn\u2019t defeat himself. He only shifts strategy<\/strong>. That\u2019s why witch doctors and occult exorcists are powerless to bring true freedom<\/strong>\u2014because they are still under Satan\u2019s dominion.<\/p>\n

    \n

    A Real-Life Analogy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    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\u2019s exactly what happens in false deliverance\u2014one demon is replaced by another<\/strong>, often worse than the first.<\/p>\n

    \n

    The Danger of Pretending to Know Jesus<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In Acts 19:14\u201316<\/strong>, the Jewish exorcists tried to copy Paul\u2019s use of Jesus\u2019 name, saying:<\/p>\n

    \u201cI adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.\u201d<\/strong>
    \nBut the demon replied:
    \n\u201cJesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?\u201d<\/strong>
    \nAnd the possessed man attacked them violently, leaving them wounded and naked.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    They used the right name<\/strong>\u2014but without a real relationship with Jesus or authority from God. This shows us that spiritual power cannot be borrowed or imitated<\/strong>. Only those who are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit have the authority to confront demons.<\/p>\n

    \n

    True Deliverance Requires a New Birth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    To walk in spiritual authority, one must first be born again<\/strong> through faith in Jesus Christ:<\/p>\n

    John 1:12\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n\u201cBut to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    John 8:36\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n\u201cSo if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Only Jesus can truly set people free from demonic bondage\u2014not religious titles, not rituals, and certainly not witchcraft.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n

    Final Encouragement<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019re seeking freedom from demonic oppression, do not turn to traditional healers or false prophets. Run to Jesus Christ<\/strong>, the only One with power to save, heal, and deliver completely.<\/p>\n

    Colossians 1:13\u00a0<\/strong>
    \n\u201cHe has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Be blessed in the truth of Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n