The title pretty much says what I want to ask. Some people say that if you are have recently came to Jesus Christ that there might be some possession ongoing. What if you haven’t had water baptism done, does it make you more susceptible? Do you have to be baptised in water?
Has anyone on this forum ever had and experience where someone has had demons cast out of him?
Thanks
I am editing to ad the following question: Has anyone witnessed healing by laying of hands?
Thanks
You have asked several questions.
#1. Demon possession.
No. All the related biblical truths I know of make it abundantly clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed. There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being oppressed or influenced by a demon. When A person accepts Christ the Holy Spirit comes to live in his heart and that action makes it impossible doe a person to be demon possessed.
#2. Water Baptism.
Water baptism is an act of obedience and NOT a part of the salvation experience. We follow in believers baptism in order to show those who know us that we have had a change on the inside. Water baptism does not save anyone and never has and never will. Salvation is faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ plus NOTHING!
#3. Casting out of demons.
Now this is just MY response. I personally think that way too much emphasis has been placed on demon possession as a result of movies from Hollywood.
I have been in the Christian ministry for 50 years and I have never seen anything that can be said was a demon possession.
I have seen mentally ill people. I have seen children acting terribly. I have seen witch doctors in Africa doing some crazy stuff that was scary but and demons were definitely involved but not demon possession .....no.
Much of the reasoning behind the demonization concept is the personal experience of seeing someone who was “definitely” a Christian exhibiting evidence of being controlled by a demon. It is crucially important, though, that we do not allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture.
Seeing someone whom we thought to be a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should cause us to question the genuineness of his/her faith. It should not cause us alter our viewpoint on whether a Christian can be demon possessed / demonized. Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely suffering from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must meet the test of Scripture, not the other way around.
#4. Healing.
The laying on of hands, as seen in the Bible and used in Christian communities, is a symbolic gesture that signifies an ordination, or a setting apart or Agreeing with someone on a certain situation or action.
In Leviticus, the book of instructions for worship, we can see the practice of laying on of hands in the ritual offerings for sin: Lev. 1:1-4...........
"The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him."
The members of the church touching the sick person doesn’t guarantee a miracle, but it’s a symbolic gesture of faith in the Lord to bring healing. On a more practical level, the simple act of touching brings encouragement and assurance, and is a blessing to the person being prayed over.
I hope I have helped you.