Casting out demons...FOR REAL...THE FORBIDDEN TOPIC: Is it just for Catholic priests, or...?
One of the more intriguing and terrifying aspects of Holy Writ are the New Testament passages describing the effects and circumstances of demon possession, and the ways in which Jesus confronted these demons and forced them to leave the bodies in which they had taken up residence. In Hollywood presentations, it always seems to be Catholic priests who are the ones dealing with modern manifestations of demon possession.
While I agree with this statement...
"No, Catholic priests are not the only ones who can do exorcisms. The authority to cast out demons and evil spirits rests not in a church structure but in the authority given to Christians who are redeemed by the blood of Christ."
(source: https://carm.org/catholic-priests-exorcism.)
...it sure does seem to me (and maybe my experience in this is just too limited) that Protestant ministers and lay people avoid the topic on a regular basis, and that many of my Protestant brothers and sisters seem to even deny the reality of modern day possession.
For their part, the Roman Catholic Church declares that only bishops (or priests with the bishop's permission) can cast out demons...(source: https://www.newsweek.com/what-exorcism-catholic-church-pope-francis-692410)...but they certainly are not giving up on the notion that demon possession is real and that it is a growing problem in the modern world. While going from 12 to 50 in terms of the number of exorcisms performed in the USA over the past decade is still very small numbers, to be sure-- especially in comparison to the small population of Israel, but extraordinary incidence of Jesus's personal ministry in this area at the time of Christ-- they do say the problem is growing.
In fact, according to the last link, the problem is becoming so grave that the R.C.C. has, for the very first time, translated the exorcism rituals into English for the use of American clergymen. But that raises the original question again, and, indeed, amplifies it..."If there are special rituals that the Roman Catholic Church has unique access to, does this lend credence to their claim of unique "correctness" with regard to dogma and doctrine in all areas of Christian life, faith and practice? Whoa...I know, now we are stepping into a mine field, for sure.
I don't think we can say that only the Catholic ritual works. But, on the other hand, I certainly don't have much (actually ZERO) information on successful Protestant exorcisms. Even one well-documented case of a successful Protestant exorcism would be all we'd need, of course, to disprove the contention that only Catholic priests can accomplish this task. Fascinating topic, that scares me to death, I'll admit.
Does anybody have any thoughts, comments or anecdotes along these lines?
TIA...
I think any holy spirit filled person can cast out a demon if needed. My stepson was involved in Satanism when he was about 16. We took him to our pastor who prayed for him. I watched him for any manifistations but there was none then. But days after that we just saw things leaving his room. Was just like a fast black "objects" leaving. Then one day my husband became very upset and emotional while he was watching a service on TV and he started to fit. In my spirit I recognise it as not from God. So I started to say: In the name of Jesus leave and in the name of Jesus be calm and I just keep on repeating till he started to calm down and stop fitting. He went to sleep afterwards and could not remember anything afterwards. Although he was not possessed he was definitely overcome by "something".
Thanks for sharing. I was raised to believe that Christians can not be possessed, but only "oppressed," though I am not sure if I ever saw even any kind of Biblical exegesis for such a claim. Of course, we know the verses that a person can only serve one master, a house divided, etc., so I think there is some support for that concept, but probably not enough to delineate between possession and oppression in any really meaningful way.
I have only had one close encounter with a person who I believe was probably possessed, and I am still not free to speak of it, but he grew into a "Pagan" without any of the earlier outward manifestations (and never claimed to be involved in outright "Satanism,") and seems to be a well-balanced person...so...who knows??
If your're born again your're good to cast em out
And not back-slidden, I would assume. I think you'd have to be a pretty spirit-filled person to attempt it!
I'd say so. Its sad most Christians don't realize the power In his name and the fact we are in a spiritual war. I used to suffer from sleep paralysis just calling on Jesus in my mind put a stop to it.
Not sure what sleep paralysis even is, but so glad that Our Lord cleared it up for you. Great comments!
its waking up from sleep not being able to move and normally entities (Demons) on top of you choking you. A lot of videos on youtube. http://www.stopsleepparalysis.org/sleep-paralysis-stop/
Whoa! Doubly glad you were delivered from it then!
very common. easy to defeat.
With Christ anything is easy to defeat. Even if it was harder I have full confidence that he would see me through it and he has.
howdy there @mepatriot! well theoretically or I guess I should say theologically any born again Believer has the authority to cast them out and we see it happen quite often, I've seen it happen dozens of times over the years but I've never seen one cast out by a priest though so I don't know their qualifications or process.
Whoever is doing the casting better be not just Spirit-filled with the evidence of speaking in tongues but know who they are in Christ because they can say the right words and the demon might just laugh at them, we've heard about that happening many times too.
Whoa!...Seriously? You've witnessed actual exorcisms done by Protestants, Jon? Was it a pastor, laymen, what?
lots of them actually.. I don't know if you'd call them Protestants, what is your definition of protestant?
we aren't any religion nor do we follow the doctrines of men which denominations go by because they don't believe major sections of the Bible.
Jesus himself would be thrown out of 90% of modern churches today because they reject the Bible. that's why we only go to non-denominational churches...
spirit-filled, led by the Holy Ghost not by doctrines of men which only restricts and limits and shuts OUT the Holy Ghost.
yes we've seen tons of them in services and also seen who knows how many on tv services but these are by Spirit-filled Pastors normally but not always. but the problem with delivering someone from demonic oppression or possession is that you never know what type of entity it's going to be. It could be a little low-level demon that some Believers with strong faith can handle.
But, it might also be a Principality or Stronghold, those are major forces in the demonic kingdom and someone really has to know their authority and know how to allow the Holy Ghost to operate through them, because it's not their power, but He has to have a vessel to work through.
But yes it's very common place in the "world" of the crazy, Spirit-filled, Charismatic! lol. Sometimes the demons will leave, run like crazy just by seeing a very strong Spirit-filled Believer come into the room especially if that Believer is experienced in spiritual warfare because that demon knows and is scared
out of it's wits. But like I said, sometimes it's one heck of a challenge if the entity is a leader and high ranking. well this comment could freak some people out if they aren't familiar with such things.
Wow...now that was an education and half. Thanks, Jon.