DEFINITION | DELIVERANCE

1. Definition of Deliverance

a) Deliverance, in its religious usage, concerns the means by which someone who is possessed of a demon (evil spirit) is delivered or set free from the bondage of the disobedient spirit. Several times during his ministry Jesus Christ cast demons out of people (Matthew 4:24, 8:16, Mark 3:22, Luke 4:41) and even gave his disciples the power to do so as well.

i) Then Jesus went to the villages around there, teaching the people. 7 He called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over the evil spirits . . . 12 So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins. 13 They drove out many demons . . . (Mark 6, see also Matthew 10:1, Mark 16:17)

b) Roman Catholics, considered the world's largest Christian body, have developed special rituals and methods they use is order to rid individuals of being possessed by demonic powers. Known as exorcisms, they are usually performed by a priest or other official in the clergy.

c) It has not been common, historically, for exorcisms to be part of Protestant practice. But the rise of the Charismatic movement has been accompanied by a surge in interest in topics related to demons within some Protestant groups. Such "demonic-centered" ministries have become common in many Charismatic circles. Some involved in such ministries commonly use the term "demon possession" to indicate specifically that they are convinced a particular person is being controlled or manipulated by an evil spirit.