How many exorcisms did jesus perform

Passages Home Exorcism in the Gospels. Add this:. What is exorcism? What type of exorcist was Jesus? Ask a Scholar. Medicine and the Hebrew Bible In the Hebrew Bible, medical concerns were seen in relation to the ultimate healer--God. Religious practitioner s trained to cast out demons.

A gospel is an account that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Matt 28But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. Luke 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. John 11Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Browse by subject - click on a letter below. Home People Places Passages Bibles. The Exorcist , a horror film released 45 years ago, is a terrifying depiction of supernatural evil. The film tells the story of a young American girl who is possessed by a demon and eventually exorcised by a Catholic priest.

Many viewers were drawn in by the film's portrayal of exorcism in Christianity. As a scholar of Christian theology, my own research into the history of Christian exorcisms reveals how the notion of engaging in battle against demons has been an important way that Christians have understood their faith and the world.

The Bible's account of the life of Jesus features several exorcism stories. The Gospels, reflecting views common in Judaism in the first century A. Exorcism by St. Exupere, Bishop of Toulouse, France, at the beginning of fifth century. Possessed individuals are depicted as displaying bizarre and erratic behaviors.

In the Gospel of Luke, for example, a boy is possessed by a demon that makes him foam at the mouth and experience violent spasms. Jesus is shown to have a unique power to cast out demons and promises that his followers can do the same.

In the centuries that followed, accounts of using Jesus' name for casting out demons are common. Origen, an early Christian theologian, writing in the second century, explains how the name of Jesus is used by Christians to expel "evil spirits from … souls and bodies. Over the years exorcism came to be associated more widely with the Christian faith. Several Christian writers mention exorcisms taking place publicly as a way to convince people to become Christians. They argued that people should convert because the exorcisms Christians performed were more effective than those of "pagans.

Early Christian texts mention various exorcism methods that Christians used, including making the sign of the cross over possessed persons or even breathing on them. Beginning some time in the early Middle Ages, specific priests were uniquely trained and sanctioned for exorcism. Stay updated. Corporate Social Responsiblity. Investor Relations. Review a Brill Book. Reference Works. Primary source collections. Open Access Content. Contact us. Sales contacts. Publishing contacts.

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