Bible Discussion Thread

Why don't Christians cast out demons? Jesus said too do this Mark 16:17

Helena, Jesse has written correctly that these signs (vv 17,18), would be a necessary part for establishing the new Church & witness to the heathen around them. So even though the purpose of signs has generally ended, we cannot quench the work of the Spirit (the One Who gave Power & fulfilment to those signs). I say this guardedly, as I have evidence of mighty works of the Spirit when the situation required it. In the West, we don't see much evidence of demonic possession, maybe demonic oppression - there is a difference. In lands where there is idolatry & evil practices, we have seen demonic powers at work. In one instance, at a Bible Study in Pakistan, as I shared, a woman began to shake violently. It wasn't about anything I was speaking about, but, because the Holy Word of God was being read, that which possessed her was being agitated. A Pakistani brother then proceeded to cast out that foul spirit & she was released & was joyful again. How powerful is God's Word: our Sword.

Jesus is not talking about all believers. In Verse 14 to Verse 18, you can see that Jesus is commissioning the 11 before sending them out. They are the ones that will do these things, not just casting out demons, but all the things listed in Verses 17 and 18. It was for the 11 that Jesus was sending out.

We see the confirmation in Verse 20 where the 11 went forth, confirming the word with signs following.

Hebrews 2:2 tells us that when the apostles went out and preached that there were signs that followed in order to establish the apostles preaching as the gospel of God. And that is what he is saying here.

There were various signs that were worked by Jesus through the disciples in order to confirm the message they were hearing is the gospel. It doesn't say every person that believes down through history is going to manifest all these various things, but rather, for the confirmation of the establishment of the Word of God, which we have with us today. Therefore, we don't need signs!