CHAPTER 5. SOME PEOPLE WHO HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS, BUT WERE NOT POSSESSED.

1. Peter's denial of Jesus.
We see in Mt.26v69-73., that when Peter was challenged by a serving maid in the courtyard of the high priest, he first of all said that he did not know Jesus, professing ignorance of what they were talking about. Then later, when he was pressed by another maid that he was a companion of Jesus, Peter denied it with an oath. After a little while a group of bystanders challenged Peter, saying that he was a disciple of Jesus, for his dialect betrayed him. At this Peter began to invoke curses upon himself, asking God to curse him if he lied when he said that he was not a follower of Jesus: he also began to swear with sacred oaths that he did not know Jesus. Peter put terrible curses upon himself in his denial of Jesus, and followed this with sacred oaths that he did not know Him. In Mt.26v74, these vehement denials by Peter are in the present tense, which shows they were both continuous and repetitive. Jesus said Peter needed to repent and turn from this failure; He did not give the slightest suggestion that Peter was demon possessed, or that he needed exorcism. Lk.22v31-34.

God did not allow the curses that Peter put upon himself to come to pass. This shows how erroneous the doctrine is that Christians can, by careless talk, put curses upon themselves, or others, without realising it. Balaam, one of the world's leading occultists, said that God's children could not be cursed, he said, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel." Num.23v23. Christ's precious blood has crushed Satan's power over us, and has redeemed us from the curse of the Law, and every curse. Gal.3v13,14. Many of God's children have, like Peter, given way to attacks from Satan; but they have certainly not been demon possessed.

2. Ananias and Sapphira.
In Acts.5v1-12., Ananias and Sapphira were executed for lying to the Holy Spirit. In v3. Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to the Holy Spirit." Peter did not say that Ananias was possessed by Satan, he said that Ananias had allowed Satan to fill his heart with lies and deceit. God revealed to Peter this deceit and lying, and God's answer to it was execution, not exorcism.

3, Simon Magnus.
When Simon Magnus believed and was baptised, there was no thought, or mention, that he needed exorcism, even though he was a dedicated sorcerer. It was accepted that when he believed in Jesus and was baptised all occult power over him was broken. Acts.8v18-25. Peter said Simon Magnus was still in bondage to evil principles, and was in the gall of bitterness and chained with evil. ("The bond of iniquity," is taken from Is.58v6.) Peter did not say, "Simon Magnus, you have got to get rid of that demon;" Peter warned him that he had not properly repented of the sin within him, and that he was in great spiritual danger until he did repent. Simon Magnus loved power, and he was envious of the power of God that Peter was manifesting, so he tried to buy authority and power with God with money. Peter told him to go to destruction with his money, because he thought that the power and gifts of God could be purchased with money. Peter told Simon to repent of his wickedness, and plead with the Lord for forgiveness. Peter never suggested that Simon Magnus needed exorcism; the cure for him was repentance, not exorcism. Even this ex-sorcerer did not need exorcism, so if this extreme case did not need exorcism, then we can be quite sure that no other Christian needs exorcism.

4. The Corinthians.
It is a fact that Paul never suggested that exorcism was necessary for the Corinthian Christians who were living such bad lives. 1Cor.5v1 to 6v20. Paul did say that they needed to repent and to subdue the old nature and he commended them for it when they did so. 2Cor.7v7-13. Paul told them that the Lord had disciplined them by sickness and death for their bad living, so that they might not be condemned with the world. 1Cor.11v29-32. Paul gives them the example of his own self-discipline of his body; he suggests self-discipline not exorcism. 1Cor.9v24-27. The worst case of sin in the Corinthian Church was the case of the man who committed incest with his father's wife. Paul did not give a hint that this sinful man was possessed and needed exorcism: indeed, Paul makes it clear that Satan had no rights over the man until the Church handed him over to Satan for the destruction of his body. Even then Satan's activities were limited to an attack on his body. Repentance caused mercy to be shown and judgement to be withdrawn from this sinful man, and he was welcomed back into the fellowship of the Church. 2Cor.2v6-11. 7v7-12. The cure for his sin was not exorcism, but discipline by spiritual power and exclusion from the Church fellowship. 1Cor.5v1-5. 2Cor.2v4-11. Jn.20v22,23. If no exorcism was needed for the Corinthian Christians, then no exorcism is needed for any Christian.

5. The woman at the well.
She was won by our Lord's gracious words, gentle attitude, and his prophetic revelation of her past; she was not possessed and did not need exorcism, even though she was a notorious sinner, who had been dominated by the sins of the flesh. Like the Corinthians, the Samaritan woman needed to repent and get the help and forgiveness of Jesus, and He forgave her, with all the tenderness and concern of His great and loving heart. Cast all your care upon Jesus, He really cares. 1Pet.5v7.

CONCLUSION.
The doctrine of Christian exorcism denies the Scriptural statements of our security in Christ.

a. It denies and destroys a Christian's faith in God's protecting love and power. It denies the protecting presence of the Holy Spirit; our guard and guide. It denies the hedge of God about our souls. IT ATTACKS A CHRISTIAN'S TOTAL SECURITY IN GOD, AND SO ATTACKS THE CHARACTER OF GOD, AND HIS CARE FOR HIS CHILDREN.

b. It denies the protection of the blood of Christ. The children of Israel had protection from the angel of death because of the blood of the Passover lamb over their homes. Christ is our Passover Lamb, and he gives us complete protection. 1Cor.5v7.

c. It denies our protection through baptism, sonship and the new birth. God defends His adopted children. We are legally identified with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Satan has no claim on us.

d. It takes the emphasis from God and places it on demons, and gives Satan authority where he has none.

e. It denies the protection and power of the name of Jesus. Christ has conquered Satan, we conquer in His Name. Heb.2v14. Those who believe in Jesus, shall cast out demons, not be filled by them. Mk.16v17.

f. It opens Christians to attack from Satan, and causes them to act as mediums for the thoughts and blasphemies of demons. This is a departure from the faith into the area of the forbidden occult. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v10-22. Is.8v18-20. We have to follow the example and practice of Christ and His early Church, or we go into darkness. Throughout Church history, new and supplemental faith and practice has replaced the truths of the Word of God, until many of the churches of today bear little resemblance to the early Church. The innovation of new doctrine and practice will have to be answered for before the throne of God on judgement day, so let us follow the theology and practice of exorcism of Christ and His early Church and do God's work in God's way.

God has promised that He is not going to allow His dear children to get a serpent, or scorpion, or stone, He promises His "how much more" protection with the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Lk.11v9-13. Let us use the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit's gifts; proclaiming always the victory of the blood and the Name of Jesus. The demons that try to attack us are filled with fear at the armoury that our heavenly Father has given to us, let us use God's armoury, and Satan and his evil angels will flee from us in terror. James.2v19. 4v5-7.


APPENDIX 1. THE GREEK WORDS USED TO DESCRIBE DEMON POSSESSION.

1. "IN an unclean spirit." "EN," "IN."
In Mk.1v23. 5v2., "IN" is "en;" so a person who is possessed with a demon, is also immersed "IN" a demon. Christians are the temple of God, and God dwells in them, and walks in them. 2Cor.6v15,16. God warned Peter three times not to call anyone who He had cleansed, common or unclean, Acts.10v14,15,28. 11v8-10. God affirms that Christians have been cleansed by Him. 1Cor.6v9-11. Tit.3v5. Jn.13v10,11. 1Jn.1v7,9. 2Cor.7v1. A Christian cannot be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and be possessed by an EVIL SPIRIT at the same time. Demons fear, tremble, and flee from the infinite greatness of God with a Spirit-filled Christian. Jas.2v19. 4v5-7. The Almighty God who is within us, is infinitely greater than he that is in the world, and HE HAS COME TO ABIDE WITH US FOR EVER. John.14v16,17. 1John.4v4. Heb.2v14,15. No evil principality or power can separate us from the love, presence and power of God, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom.8v14-17,31-39. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" God's protective guardianship of Christians is an ever present and continuous fact. Hallelujah! 1Pet.1v4,5.

2. "HAVE an evil spirit." "Echo," "to have or possess."
People possessed by demons are said to "HAVE," or "HAD," a demon. Mt.11v18. Mark.3v22,30. 7v25. Luke.4v33. 7v33. 8v27. 13v11. Jn.7v20. 8v48,52. 10v20. Acts.16v16. and 19v13.. John Baptist was accused of having a demon, Mt.11v18. Lk.7v33.; and the religious leaders of Israel said that Jesus did the works that He did, because He "had" an evil spirit. Jn.7v20. 8v48,52. 10v20. Jesus warned that this was the very worst kind of blasphemy, and that they were in danger of committing the unforgiveable sin. Mk.3v22,28-30. It is a serious sin to say that Christians are possessed by demons.

3. "To be POSSESSED by a demon." "Daimonizomai." N.B. See APPENDIX 3 for full study.
"Daimonizomai," means, "to be demonised, possessed and under the control of a demon." It occurs in Mt.4v24. 8v16,28,33. 9v32. 12v22. 15v22. Mk.1v32. 5v15,16,18. Lk.8v36. and Jn.10v21. It always speaks of possession.

4. "To be VEXED with unclean spirits." "Ochleo," "to vex, disturb, or trouble."
Lk.6v18. Acts.5v16. 1Sam.16v14-23.

5. The OPPRESSED of the Devil. "Katadunasteuo," "to exercise power against someone."
Acts.10v36-38. Peter uses "oppressed" to speak of all of Satan's evil activities against mankind, and his ruthless domination of mankind. It includes possession and all kinds of external oppression. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil." Hallelujah! 1Jn.3v8. Christ's return will restore and renew all the world. Isaiah.11v5-9. 65v17-25. Rev.21v1-8. 22v1-7.

6. The Effects of Demon Possession and Oppression.

a. Derangement.
All the demon possessed people in the New Testament were quite incapable of normal living and were badly and manifestly deranged; this is why someone said of Jesus, "These are not the words of one who is possessed by a devil." Jn.10v20,21. The demoniac of Gadara shows what real demon possession is like; he broke chains with supernatural strength, he was naked in the tombs, he cut himself with knives, and had no rest, crying in anguish day and night. The demons found sadistic pleasure in causing the man continual misery, pain and torture. This is what real demon possession is like.

N.B. Satan's domination of world leaders, who are the "vessels of wrath" that Satan uses as his instruments in the rule of the world, is quite different from the possession of the people that our Lord exorcised. The heads of the beast, and the other worldly rulers who are instruments of Satan, have the cunning and the ruthlessness of the serpent. Their plans are made with the aid of Satan's evil intelligence, and like Herod and Judas, they, without cause, murder the holy and the innocent. Mt.2v16. Jn.15v20-25. Satan-inspired leaders like Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler, Stalin and Antichrist, build their plans on the dead bodies of millions. These ruthless, brutal and merciless leaders, show the ultimate in derangement, they kill the people of God, and fight the living God to His face. When they co-operate with Satan in their evil acts, they manifest the derangement, and share the judgement, of the Satan-dominated life and mind.

b. Sickness.
Demon possession can cause severe sickness as well as mental derangement, and when the demons that cause this sickness are cast out, the people are healed. Mt.9v33. 10v8. 17v14-18. Mk.1v24-27. 16v17. Lk.8v32. 11v14. 13v32. However, there are many other causes of sickness besides evil spirits. We also see from Mt.4v32,24., that we must not confuse physical sicknesses like epilepsy and lunacy with the demon possession seen in Mt.17v14-21.. The primary cause of sickness is the sin of Adam, which deprived us of the tree of life, we read in the book of Revelation that it's restoration will guarantee the eternal health of all of God's creation. Gen.3v22-24. Rev.22v1,2,17.

c. Moral Corruption.
Demons serve Satan from fear, they attempt to corrupt mankind, and energise the children of disobedience. Mt.12v26-28. Eph.2v1-3. They incite to idolatry, and false doctrine. 1Cor.10v20,21. 1Tim.1v4. Jam.3v5,6,15.

d. Accidents, War, Robbery and Injury.
Satan attacked Job with storms, lightning, and warring Sabeans and Chaldeans. Job.1v1-22. Mt.17v14-18.

APPENDIX 2. THE WORDS USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXORCISM OF DEMONS.

1. Demons are "COMMANDED."

a. In Luke.8v29. "paregellen gar" is used by our Lord.
It is especially used of the orders given by a military commander. There is certain victory with the spiritual weapons that God has given to us. James.4v6,7. 2Cor.10v1-5. Eph.6v10-22.

b. Jesus authoritatively commands, "epitasso," demons in Mk.1v27. 9v25. and Lk.4v36.
In Mk.1v27. and the parallel passage Lk.4v36., the astonished and excited crowds describe our Lord's authority over demons, with "epitasso," a military term meaning, "to command, to marshal, to draw up in array." The crowd said that Jesus made the enemy demons line up in their ranks and obey Him. Our Lord commanded the demon, "be muzzled," like an ox, which is the exact meaning in 1Cor.9v9. Deut.25v4. 1Tim.5v18.

2. Demons are "REBUKED." "Epitimao," "to rebuke and censure severely."
"Epitimao," is used in Mt.17v18. Mk.1v25. 3v12. 9v25. and Lk.9v42., to speak of demons being rebuked. Our Lord used it when He rebuked the wind in Mt.8v26., and the fever in Lk.4v39..

3. Demons are "CAST OUT." "Ekballo," "to cast out of, to drive out of."
"Ekballo," is used in Mt.8v16., of demons being cast out by Christ's word. See Mt.9v33,34. 10v1,8. 12v24-28. 17v19. Mk.1v34,39. 3v15,22. 6v13. 7v26. 9v18,28,38. 16v9,17. Lk.9v40,49. 13v32. 11v14-23. N.B. v20 Jesus cast out demons "with the finger of God." The apostles and seventy were given authority to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Mt.10v1,8. Lk.10v9-20. Authority over some powerful demons, can only be retained by prayer and fasting. Mt.17v14-21.
Our Lord uses "ekballo," when He said He will not cast out any who come to Him, no matter what their need, Jn.6v37.; and in Mt.9v37,38., when He implores us to pray that God will drive out apostolic labourers into the harvest fields. We should obey this command of our Lord and earnestly pray for miracle working labourers in God's harvest fields.

See "exerchomai," "to come out, or go out." Mt.12v43. Mk.1v25,26. 5v8,13. 7v29,30. 9v25,26,29. Lk.4v35,36,41. 8v2,33,35,38. 11v14,24.
These words show the real authority that we have over demons in the Name of Jesus.

4. Demons and the Abyss.
The adjective "abussos," means "bottomless, unfathomable," it occurs in Lk.8v31. Rom.10v7. Rev.9v1,2,11. 11v7. 17v8, and 20v1,3. When demons met Jesus, they were terrified of being sent into the Abyss before their time. Mt.8v29. Mk.5v7. Lk.8v28,31. They fear the everlasting chains of darkness reserved for the wicked. 1Sam.2v9. 2Pet.2v17. Jude.v13. Rom.2v8,9. Mk.1v24. Jesus went into the Abyss to pay the penalty of our sins. Rom.10v7. Christ's soul was made an offering for sin, to destroy Satan's power, and free God's people from Hades. Mt.12v40. Eph.4v8-10. 1Pet.3v18-20. Is.53v10. Heb.2v14,15.

5. Jesus warns Israel about their repossession by demons because of their apostasy from God.
N.B. People in Israel had become possessed by demons because of their apostasy from God. Our Lord warned the Jews that they were an "evil generation," and "an adulterous generation," who by loving evil and rejecting His ministry, could expect the most fearful domination by Satan and his angels, and the most tragic events of their history. Mt.12v38-45. Mt.12v39. 16v4. Mk.8v38. Christ told them that they were like a man who had one demon cast out of him, who then got repossessed by seven even worse evil spirits, because he failed to respond to the mercy and love of God. Lk.11v24-26. 19v41-44. Any possession by demons, particularly this kind of repossession by evil spirits, is never applied and can never apply to those who love their Lord, they are under their heavenly Father's protection, they are guarded by God. 1Pet.1v4,5.


APPENDIX 3. THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES ON DEMONS AND EVIL SPIRITS.

In the Gospels demons are also called evil spirits. Mk.5v12,15. 3v22,30. Lk.4v33. They are full of sadistic evil, and gain their pleasure from tempting mankind into sin, and by causing suffering, sickness, pain and death. Mt.12v45. Mk.5v2ff. 7v25. Lk.13v11,16. Evil spirits are responsible for the "doctrines of demons" that Paul warned us of in 1Tim.4v1. Demons are the power behind idols. 1Cor.10v19-21. 1Tim.4v1-3. Rev.9v20. Satan is the prince of demons, and dominates the powers of darkness. Mt.10v25. 12v24-26. Mk.3v22,23. Lk.11v15-19. Eph.2v1-3. We will prove that there is not one case in the New Testament of a Christian being possessed by demons, or being exorcised of demons, by considering all the New Testament references where demons, or evil spirits are mentioned, and the Greek words which are used for them.

1. DEMON, OR DEMONS.

"DAIMON."
"Daimon," occurs 5 times in the A.V. text. Mt.8v31. Mk.5v12. Lk.8v29. Rev.16v14. 18v2. None of these refer to a Christian being possessed.
1. In the story of the Gadarine demoniac. Mt.8v31. Lk.8v29. Mk.5v12.
2. In Rev.18v2., Babylon, Jerusalem under Antichrist Rev.11v8. 14v8,20. 18v24., becomes an abode of demons, "daimonon."
3. In Rev.16v14. Demon spirits do signs to assemble Antichrist's followers to the battle of Armageddon.

"DAIMONION."
In the Majority Text and A.V., "daimonion," or "daimonia," occur in Mt.7v22. 9v33,34. 10v8. 11v18. 12v24,27,28. 17v18. Mark.1v34,39. 3v15,22. 6v13. 7v26,29,30. 9v38. 16v9,17. Luke.4v33,35,41. 7v33. 8v2,27,30,33,35,38. 9v1,42,49. 10v17. 11v14,15,18,19,20. 13v32. John.7v20. 8v48,49,52. 10v20,21. Acts.17v18. 1Cor.10v20,21. 1Tim.4v1. James.2v19. and Rev.9v20.. None of these refer to a Christian being possessed.

"POSSESSED WITH DEMONS,"
The word "daimonizomai," "to be demonised, to be possessed with demons, to be under the control of a demon," occurs in Mt.4v24. 8v16,28,33. 9v32. 12v22. 15v22. Mk.1v32. 5v15,16,18. Lk.8v36. and Jn.10v21.. Let us consider these Scriptures.

1. In Mt.4v23,24., our Lord met the needs of all who came to Him and healed them. In v23., "healing" is "therapeuon," the present active participle of "therapeuo," which means primarily, "to serve, minister to, and render service as a 'therapon,' a servant or attendant; then to care for and heal the sick." "Healed" in v24 is "etherapeusen," the third person singular aorist active indicative of "therapeuo." The use of "therapeuo," shows our Lord's lovely humble and gentle spirit of service, and the singular present, shows Christ's continuous personal attention to each of their needs, in the casting out of demons, as well as healing. The parallel passage in Mk.1v35-39., says Jesus "cast out" demons."

2. In Mt.8v16., Jesus "casts out" the evil spirits out of many that were possessed. This is the parallel passage to Mk.1v32-34..

3. Mt.8v28,33., tells us of two demonised men at Gadara who are exorcised by Jesus, Mt.8v28-34.; whereas, Mark and Luke tell us of the exorcism of the most prominent and well-known demoniac, in Mk.5v1-21. and Lk.8v26-40.. There are two important lessons in this incident.

a. The demons were terrified of being sent into the Abyss, God's place of confinement. Mt.8v29. Mk.5v7. Lk.8v28,31. They are fearful of Christians who know their authority in Christ. Even Satan runs away in fear from Christians who humble themselves under God and arm themselves with His power. James.4v5-7.

b. We should always put demons in the Abyss and never agree to their requests, the demons frustrated our Lord's ministry by killing the pigs. Jesus undoubtedly knew that this would happen, and this was almost certainly allowed for our instruction, to warn us what may happen if we allow demons their requests.

4. In Mt.9v32-34., when Jesus "cast out" a demon from a dumb demoniac, the dumb man spoke; the multitudes marvelled; but the Pharisees resisted God, and said that Jesus cast out demons through "the prince of the demons."

5. In Mt.12v22-37., a blind and dumb demoniac is delivered and healed. The Pharisees charge Jesus with casting out demons by Beelzebub. This is probably the same incident as Mk.3v22-30., where Jesus gives a solemn warnings about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; which is rejection of Jesus in the full light of the Holy Spirit's miracles; and saying that His works are the acts of an unclean spirit.

6. In Mt.15v22., Jesus casts out a demon from the Syrophenician's daughter. v21-28.

7. In Jn.10v20,21., our Lord's enemies accuse Him of being possessed, others object saying that demon possessed people do not heal blind people or preach the wonderful truths that Jesus did. Derangement and obvious signs of terrible distress and sickness always accompany possession by sadistic evil spirits. As we shall see later, the power politics of evil spirits like Satan falls into a different category. These Scriptures show that "daimonizomai" does not refer to external oppression, as demons are "cast out" of those who are possessed. None of these Scriptures refer to a Christian being possessed by demons.

It is essential to note that the word "demonised," is always used in the Scriptures, for a person having a demon within them, it is never used in the Scriptures for temptation, or oppression by a demon from outside a person. The story of the Gadarine demoniacs in Matt.8v28-34. Mk.5v1-20. and Lk.8v26-29., shows that the word "demonised," is synonymous with "having a demon," or being "in" a demon. The man "in," "en," an evil spirit, is said to be "demonised." Mk.5v2,15,16,18. The demons are said to have " gone out" of the man in Mk.5v13.. In the same event in Lk.8v27,29,33., our Lord spoke to the demons in the man who "had," "echon," demons, and commanded them to "come out from," the man. In Lk.8v33., "out from," is "apo;" whereas Mark.5v8. uses "ek," "out of." Luke states in Lk.8v30., that many demons had entered "into," "eis," him, and v36 says he was "possessed of demons." So "having a demon," being "in a demon," and being "demonised," are terms that speak of total demonic entrance, possession and control.

"DAIMONIODES." Devilish, demoniacal." James.3v14-16.
James says that people who are filled with bitter envy and strife are earthly, sensual and devilish. We can have devilish attitudes without being possessed by demons.

Only Satan is called "the Devil," "Ho Diabolos," "the Slanderer, the Accuser;" see Mt.4v1,5,8,11. 13v39. 25v41. Lk.4v2,3,5,,6,13. 8v12. Jn.8v44.13v2. Acts.10v38. 13v10. Eph.4v27. 6v11. 1Tim.3v6,7. 2Tim.2v26. Heb.2v14. James.4v7. 1Pet.5v8. 1Jn.3v8,10. Jude.v9. Rev.2v10. 12v9,12. 20v2,10. Jesus calls Judas a "diabolos," a slanderer, in Jn.6v70.. In 1Tim3v11, and Titus.2v3., Paul warns Christian women not to be slanderers, "diabolous," and in 2Tim.3v3., warns that slander will abound in the last days.

2. UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
John's Gospel never describes demons as "unclean spirits," but the synoptic Gospels often describe them in this way. The adjective, "akathartos," meaning, "unclean," or "impure," is derived from the negative "a," and "kathairo," "to cleanse, to purify." In the Authorised Version, "unclean," "akathartos," is used in relation to demons in Mt.10v1. 12v43. Mark.1v23,26,27. 3v11,30. 5v2,8,13. 6v7. 7v25. 9v25. Lk.4v33,36. 6v18. 8v29. 9v42. 11v24. Acts.5v16. 8v7. Rev.16v13. and 18v2.. None of these refer to a Christian being possessed. The noun, "akatharsia," "uncleanness," is used in the papyri of a woman who is living a filthy, unclean and evil life; a filthy and polluted house; and a wound that is infected, putrifying, and exuding pus. All the apostles, except Judas, were cleansed by the Spirit and the Word. Judas was unclean; being defiled by slander, by greed, by bitterness through thwarted ambition, and finally by betrayal and apostasy, which allowed Satan to possess him. Jn.6v66-71. 12v4-6. 13v2,26,27. 15v3. Mk.14v10,11.

3. EVIL SPIRITS.
The word for "evil" in "evil spirits," is "poneros," it occurs in reference to demons in Lk.7v21. 8v2. Acts.19v12,13,15,16. See also Lk.11v26. with Mt.12v45. None of these Scriptures refer to a Christian being possessed. "Poneros," speaks of an active evil, and shows that the evil spirits try to corrupt others to the same level of evil, and the same destruction as themselves. "Poneros" is worse than "kakos," which speaks of a person who is evil in make up, and they may cause real trouble through it, but are evil without actively corrupting others. In some manuscripts of Lk.11v4., Satan is called "Ho Poneros," the Evil One who actively corrupts everyone and everything he can.

4. PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS.
These evil angels are called, "spiritual wickedness in heavenly places" in Eph.6v12.. The word for "wickedness" is "poneros," and this shows that these evil angels give all their energies to seduce to evil. These evil angels are the real "world rulers of this darkness," not the politicians. We need all the Christian armour to defeat these evil foes. Eph.6v10-20. Rom.13v12.

Principalities. "archos."
These evil princes rule over countries, and are the most powerful of the evil angels. Eph.6v12. 1v21. Christ defeated them all through His death on the cross. Col.2v10-15. Daniel had a three week delay in prayer through the spiritual opposition of the evil angelic prince over Persia, until Michael, Israel's angel, helped Gabriel to defeat him. Dan.10v1-21. N.B. v2,3. A three week fast on the part of Daniel helped to win the victory. These evil principalities are too busy dominating their territories to take part in the possession of a person, unless there is a case like Judas, where Satan himself possessed Judas, to fulfil his major evil purpose, to hurt and kill his Creator. Lk.22v3. John.8v44. 13v27. The powers of darkness are the real rulers of fallen mankind, and are the hidden cause of the huge number of appalling atrocities that have occurred in Church and secular history.

Powers. "exousias."
These evil angels are given authority and power by the principalities to reign over towns and cities; and again these seldom take part in demon possession. They are too busy dominating and corrupting mankind to take part in the kind of possession we see in the Gospels. Usually, it is the less powerful evil spirits that possess people. Sometimes, however, powerful evil angel aid lesser demons to resist the ministries of the Church, as it seems took place in the case of the demon possessed boy in Mt.17v14-21.; and this kind of evil spirit can only be cast out by a person who is living a prayerful, fasting, and disciplined life. See v21., which is included in the vast Majority of Texts.


SOME SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW A CHRISTIAN'S SECURITY IN CHRIST.

Introduction. There has been a great deal of controversy over whether the eternal security of Christians is conditional or unconditional. Is the will of God irresistible regarding salvation, or can a believer frustrate the will of God and become an apostate from the faith? The Scriptures teach that believing in Jesus does not take away our free will, and that it is possible for Christians to apostacise and lose their salvation. However, the Scriptures also emphasise the eternal security of those who follow their Lord. The perils of the last days make it imperative for us to establish these truths firmly in our minds and lives.

1. THE SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW A CHRISTIAN'S SECURITY IN CHRIST.
In Jn.10v28., "THEY SHALL NEVER, NEVER PERISH, is AN EMPHATIC DOUBLE NEGATIVE; ("ou me") with "apolontai," the aorist subjunctive of "apollumi," "to be lost, to destroy." Jesus promises that the sheep that hear His voice and follow Him will NEVER, NEVER PERISH. Eternal words that shall never die! They encourage and inspire every struggling Christian. The conditions for the eternal security of Christ's sheep are not exacting, for Christ's yoke is gentle, kind and light. Mt.11v28-30.

They believe in Jesus. Jn.6v47. Truly, truly, I say unto you, He that believes on me has eternal life."

They hear the voice of Jesus, and follow Jesus. They earnestly long for and listen to the voice and truths of Jesus. The words "hear," and "follow," in Jn.10v3,4,27. are in the present indicative active and show the continuous "obedience of faith" of Christ's sheep. Rom.1v5. Jesus uses a strong double negative ("ou me") in Jn.10v5., to state that His sheep will not follow false shepherds, but will flee from them.

They have a living relationship with Jesus. In Jn.10v14,27. Jesus uses the present indicative active of "ginosko," "to know experientially." This shows Christ's continuous active relationship with His sheep.

N.B. Both Christ's and the Father's hands hold, enfold, and protect Christ's sheep.
In Jn.10v28,29., Jesus uses the future tense, "harpasei," when He said, "no one SHALL SNATCH them out of My hand." When Jesus said, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to SNATCH them out of my Father's hand;" He uses the present active infinitive, "harpazein," to show the Father's active and continuous protection of His sheep. No one has the power to snatch Christ's sheep out of God's hand; they are secure in His love and care. Jn.3v16. 6v37,39,40. 17v12. 18v9.

a. The hand of God's eternal purpose.
Rom.8v28-30. Paul says that predestination is based upon God's foreknowledge of our choice, and His efforts to conform us to the image of Christ, He does not violate our free will. People choose to be saved or lost. Mt.23v37. Lk.19v41-44. Jn.10v26.

b. The hand that guards for ever.
Nothing can separate us from our Father's and Saviour's love. Rom.8v31-39. In 1Pet.1v4,5., we read that Christians "are guarded in the power of God," the present participle "phrouroumenous," shows the continuous process of God's protection. Jn.17v12. Jn.6v37,39,40. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.--- v39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. v40. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life."

N.B. In Heb.13v5., God encourages us with five nevers.
God will never, never fail us; and never, never, never forsake us and leave us down and out in a mess. This is manifested in God's mercy to David. Ps.32. God's hand was heavy upon David for about 12 months after his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. God forgave David, gave him songs of deliverance, and promised him guidance. Christ also answered Peter's fears and self-condemnation. Lk.5v1-11. When Peter said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." Jesus assured Peter He would bless him. "If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart." 1Jn.3v20. Did Peter get out of the Father's hand when he denied that he knew Jesus? The answer is a very definite, "No." Peter was dominated by fear, and his heart was not in his denials, and in his heart he had not apostacised from Jesus. This is in sharp contrast with Judas, whose heart had rejected Jesus; his soul was destroyed by nationalistic pride, thwarted ambition, avarice and theft.

N.B. The key to eternal security is eating Christ's flesh and blood. Jn.6v51-71.
When Jesus said in Jn.6v51-54,63,66., that He was the living bread from Heaven, and that His disciples had to eat His flesh and drink His blood to remain spiritually alive, many disciples got offended, murmured against Jesus, and "went back, and walked no more with Him." Jesus knew that His instruction to eat His flesh and drink His blood would produce a major crisis and cause many disciples to leave Him; He knew from the beginning those who truly believed. Many disciples believed for a while that Jesus was the Messiah, but they did not believe the right thing; they wanted deliverance from Rome, not deliverance from sin. Judas left Jesus in his heart at this point, for in Jn.6v70,71., Jesus said that Judas was already slandering Him; "devil" is "diabolos," "a slanderer." God prepared the apostles for this trial by the watchful praying of Jesus, and three mighty miracles; Jesus fed the five thousand, walked on the water, and then miraculously transported the boat. However, these mighty miracles failed to turn Judas from his unbelief and his slander and love of evil. Mt.14v23.


N.B. The flesh and blood of Jesus consist of the truth and love manifested in His life.
Jesus explained that the truth He spoke and lived was His flesh and blood. "The flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and are life." Jn.6v63. When we consume and assimilate Christ and His truth into our being, we are transfigured into His likeness. 2Cor.3v18. Heb.3v1. 12v2. This will preserve Christians from backsliding and apostasy.

2. SCRIPTURES THAT SHOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO FALL AWAY FROM GOD.

Heb.6v1-6. says it is impossible to renew apostates to repentance who have experienced the full truth.
"Impossible," "adunaton," occurs 4 times in Hebrews. Heb.6v4,18. 10v4. 11v6. It cannot be watered down to mean difficult. Wilful sin in full light causes eternal spiritual death. Heb.10v26,27. Mk.3v28-30. Lk.12v45,46. "Renew again," is "palin anakainizein," which means literally "again to renew again." "Palin" means "again," and "anakainizein," is the present active infinitive of "anakainizo," "to renew again, to make new again." ("Anakainizo" only occurs here in the New Testament, but "anakainoo" occurs in 2Cor.4v16. and Col.3v10).

In Heb.6v6., "fall away" is "parapesontas," the aorist active participle of "parapipto," to fall beside, to go astray, to fall away; it warns of shipwreck of faith and apostasy from God. 1Tim.1v19. In Lk.8v13., Jesus uses "aphistantai," the present of "aphistemi," to withdraw, to go or fall away, to warn us that people can "fall away" after being joyful believers. Mt.12v43-45. 24v48-51. Rom.8v13. 11v20-22.

a. They were once for all enlightened. Heb.6v4. "Enlightened," is the first aorist passive participle of "photizo," "to enlighten, to illuminate." God has illuminated the understanding and eyes of the person. Lk.11v36. In Heb.10v32. Paul tells the Hebrews that they suffered for the truth after they were illuminated and became Christians. The illumination spoken of here is "the full knowledge of the truth," Heb.10v26.; it is vitally linked with regeneration. Only saved people are spoken of being in the light, the unsaved are spoken of as walking in darkness. Jn.3v20,21. 8v12. Rom.13v12. 2Cor.4v4. Eph.5v8. Col.1v12,13. 1Thes.5v5.

"Once," is "harpax," which means "once for all," and tells us the person has seen and experienced the full light of God. They have left the darkness of their former life, having been enlightened by the Spirit of God to Jesus, the true light. They have been a child of the light, and have experienced the FULL light of truth, not just an intellectual appreciation of truth. See Eph.1v18.

b. They have tasted of the heavenly gift. Heb.6v4. "Have tasted," is "geusamenous," the aorist active participle of "gueomai," "to taste of, to taste." The verb expresses a real and conscious partaking and personal enjoyment of the gift of salvation. It is translated "to eat," in Acts.10v10. 20v11. 23v14. and "to taste," in Heb.2v9. 6v4,5. Mt.16v28. 27v34. Mk.9v1. Lk.9v27. 14v24. Jn.2v9. 8v52. Col.2v21. 1Pet.2v3. When our Lord tasted death, He experienced it. These people have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and experienced salvation, and then made shipwreck of their faith. 1Tim.1v19. Heb.10v23-31.

c. They were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. The word for "partakers" is "metochous," which means "partner and fellow with." It is used in Heb.3v14. of us being a partaker with Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; and in Heb.1v9. of Jesus being anointed more than His "FELLOWS." Sinners are not partners with the Holy Spirit; the world cannot receive Him. Jn.14v17. Jude.v19. We are partners with and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Eph.1v13,14.

d. They have tasted the good Word of God. Heb.6v5. Those who taste the Word of God are saved. Mt.13v20-23. Lk.8v13-15. Jn.15v3. Acts.2v41. 4v4. 8v14. 11v1. 17v11. Rom.10v9,10. Eph.5v26. James.1v18-25. 1Pet.1v18-23.

e. They have tasted the powers of the age to come. These are the open manifestations of God and the manifestations of His spiritual gifts. The apostates taste heavenly realities and reject them.

f. These apostates "crucify to themselves again the Son of God." Heb.6v6. "Anastaurountas," is the present active participle of "anastauroo," "to crucify again." Bloomfield says that "anastauroo," does not follow the Classical Greek sense, "crucify," or "crucify up," but follows Hellenistic New Testament Greek usage which means "re-crucify." Bloomfield writes, "That it does mean this (re-crucify) here is plain from the context; otherwise the point carried between "palin," "anakainizo," and "anastauroo" will be destroyed, and the sense not a little weakened." The present active tense shows the terrible truth that apostates actively and continually crucify to themselves the Lord Jesus.

g. The end of the apostates, who crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to an open shame.
"Rejected." "Adokimos," it is translated as "castaway" in the Authorised version in 1Cor.9v27.. See 1Cor.15v1,2.
"Nigh unto a curse." Apostates again come under the curse from which they were redeemed. Gal.3v10,13,14.
"Whose end is to be burned." Heb.6v8. See Is.66v22-24. Mt.25v46. Mk.9v43-49. Rev.14v9-11. 20v10-15. 21v8..

MORE SCRIPTURES WHICH SHOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CHRISTIANS TO APOSTACISE FROM THE FAITH.
Heb.10v24-31. The apostates tread under foot the Son of God and count the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified an unclean thing, ("koinon" as in Acts.10v14.), and they treat with utter contempt and insult the Spirit of grace that they had received blessings from. Heb.6v4. There is no forgiveness for this determined unrepentant blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Mt.12v31,32. Mk.3v28-30. Their names are removed from the book of life. Rev.3v5. 22v19.

2Pet.2v1-22. Peter warns that false teachers will cunningly bring in destructive heresies and divisions, and even deny the Lord that brought them, and MANY will follow their pernicious ways. They have forsaken the straight way and are gone astray like Balaam; the mists of darkness are reserved for them for ever. v15-17. They are like a dog that returns to its vomit, and a washed pig that wallows in the filthy mire.

Jude.v3,4,10-13. These apostates slip into the Church and set themselves up as teachers. They go in the way of Cain and after the error of Balaam. They are spots in Christians feasts of love. They have no fruit, they are TWICE DEAD;---wandering stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jesus gives us both the greatest encouragements to faith, and earnest warnings about apostasy. Let us keep them both in a correct balance, and walk in His light and rest in His love.

CONCLUSION AND RECAPITULATION.
It would be quite wrong to finish on a negative note in this study, for God wants us to realise our total security in Jesus, when we determine to follow and serve Him. So let us consider again some of our heavenly Father's precious promises to us.

N. B. 1. Our heavenly Father's protecting power and love is our guarantee against demon possession.
In Heb.6v13-20., we read of God's covenant promise and oath to Abraham, and that these two immutable things are available to all the heirs of promise. The assurance and hope inspired by God's inability to lie, and His immutable counsel and oath, are a strong consolation and anchor of the soul to all who have fled to Jesus for refuge. Some have translated, "to ametatheton tes boules autou," "the immutability of His counsel," as "the unchangeableness of His will;" God will never change His mind over His promise to protect His children, He has promised to protect us, He will fulfil His Word and promise. We read in 1Pet.1v5., that God's almighty protective power and love is an ever present fact and reality. When Peter states that all believers in Jesus; "are guarded," "phrouroumenous," he uses the present passive participle of "phroureo," to garrison; the present tense shows the continuous process of this protection. Unless a Christian turns their back on Jesus, and becomes an apostate, it is quite impossible for them to be possessed by demons.

N. B. 2. Both Christ's and the Father's hands enfold, hold and protect Christ's sheep.
Here, in closing, we will repeat again a Scripture we have considered earlier. In Jn.10v28,29., Jesus uses the future tense, ("harpasei"), when He said, "no one SHALL SNATCH them out of My hand." When Jesus said, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to SNATCH them out of my Father's hand;" He uses the present active infinitive, "harpazein," to show the Father's continuous protection of His sheep. No one has the power to snatch Christ's sheep out of God's hand; they are secure in His love and care. Jn.3v16. 6v37,39,40. 17v12. 18v9. Immediately after saying these words, Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." They are not only one in essence and character, they are one in their determination to bring us safely into their eternal kingdom.

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