College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Luke 8 - Introduction
Butler's Comments
Chapter Eight
THE SON OF MAN EXERCISING DIVINE AUTHORITY
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
How would women have means by which to contribute to Jesus-' needs (Luke 8:1-3)?
2.
Why would the sower let most of his seed fall on unproductive ground (Luke 8:4-8)?
3.
How can the word of God be the seed (Luke 8:11)?
4.
If the disciples had seen Jesus raise the dead, how could they be afraid in the storm if He was in the boat (Luke 8:22-25)?
5.
Why would Jesus allow demons to go into pigs and destroy them (Luke 8:26-33)?
6.
Why didn-'t Jesus let the healed man accompany Him (Luke 8:38-39)?
7.
If Jesus was going to raise Jairus-' daughter from the dead, why didn-'t he want a big crowd to witness it (Luke 8:51)?
IS THERE DEMON POSSESSION TODAY AS THERE WAS DURING THE TIME OF CHRIST'S INCARNATE MINISTRY?
By Paul T. Butler
It is my opinion that there is no demon possession of human beings today in the precise manner such as manifested in the phenomenal way it was during Christ's incarnate ministry (and perhaps as it was during the remainder of the ascendancy of the Roman empire).
It is my opinion that the binding of Satan in Revelation 20:1-6 was initiated and resulted from the redemptive work of Christ in His Incarnation. It was completed when the beast of the 4th universal empire (as Daniel predicted), Rome, fell. At that time, it is my opinion, demon possession, as manifested in the Gospels and Acts apparently was to cease. All binding of Satan is relative. He has always been bound to some degree or other due to the fact that God is Almighty. God is the only being who is Almighty. It is my opinion a part of Satan's binding has to do with the restriction imposed by God that Satan's demons are no longer able to possess human bodies as they were during the time of Christ's incarnation.
1.
To have this opinion does not mean I deny the power of Satan to deceive the minds of people today who deliberately choose to believe falsehood perpetrated by lying signs and wonders. If the definition of demon possession means simply that Satan has captured the minds of men by unbelief, I would agree.
Satan entered into Judas. (Luke 22:3 and John 13:27) but he was not what other scriptures describe as demon possessed.
2.
Do the alleged demons possessing people today ever enter into animals? (See Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-36; Mark 5:1-16.)
3.
Do the alleged demons possessing people today ever testify to the identity and deity of Christ or the messengers of Christ and what their work is? (See Acts 16:17; Acts 19:15; Matthew 8:29; Mark 1:24 and above references.)
4.
Do the alleged demons possessing people today ever speak out as recognizable separate individualsdefinitively separate from the human whose body they possess?
5.
How may demons (alleged) today be exorcised? Is the exorcism always miraculous and always instantaneous? If not, is it simply a matter of conversion by the power of the gospel regenerating the mind through preaching and teaching? When there is an unsuccessful exorcism, or casting out, are those possessed by alleged demons doomed to suffer such possession until they die?
6.
Only Jesus could give power to exorcise demons. That was a direct gift and a supernatural power. It apparently did not require being a born again believer to receive this powerJudas apparently was given this powerhe was one of the twelve (cf. Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:8).
7.
On the other hand, many pseudo-faith-healers today, and ministers from all differing theological and doctrinal positions, claim they have cast out or exorcised demons. Whom are we to believe? Who has that power today among all who claim it? What are we to conclude from their claims? Who is to decide which are real demons and real exorcists? By what criteria?
8.
Demons in the scripture were not ecto-plasmthey were (and still are, in the abyss) real persons!
9.
The psychic powers of the human mind over matter have been well documented. What some think is demon possession could very well be such psycho-somatic phenomena. Voodooism, etc., may be classified under this heading.
10.
The most destructive power of the devil is not possession of a human body but a mind or soul (cf. Matthew 10:28). It appears that while demons possessed bodies of some humans during Christ's incarnationthe mind or soul of that person was not possessed. Demons merely troubled humans (Luke 6:18); they drove people to do, physically, what they did (Luke 8:29).
11.
Of all the miraculous gifts the Corinthian Christians were given, exorcism of demon possessed was not among them (I Cor. ch. 12-14).
12.
How do we know when someone is demon possessed? What is the criteria by which distinction is made between demon possession and epilepsy, mental illness, perverted maliciousness and crazed murderousness (e.g. Hitler, de Sade, etc.)?
13.
Is it not possible that all the mania for the occult and the practice of it is being used by the devil to get people to think he has powers which he does not really have (Revelation 13:13-15)?
14.
If demon possession could only come to those who were willingwas the little daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman a willing victim? In other words, demon possession had nothing to do with the willingness of the possessed. Therefore, exorcism was not done by conversion but by the exercise of divine authority in a miraculous way.
15.
It seems apparent that only Jesus and the apostles, or specially endowed disciples (Luke 10:1-42) could exorcise demons. This they did, not by conversion but by miracle. There is no evidence from the scriptures that this miraculous power could be given by any other than Christ Himself and that while He was in His incarnate ministry.
16.
If miracles of healing, speaking in foreign languages, prophecy, including discernment of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10), etc., ceased with the end of the New Testament era and the death of the apostles (or the ones to whom the apostles imparted these gifts), so that we can only be certain of the documented miracles of Scripture, then the same principle ought to be applied, for the same reason, to demon possession and exorcism. Otherwise, we are in a quandary to decide about -modern claims of demon possession and exorcism among religious groups from one end of the doctrinal spectrum to the other. There are also pagan exorcists making claims.
17.
There really is not any documentation of demon possession in the Old Testament such as occurred during the Incarnation (with an exception or two, e.g. King Saul).
18.
It appears, then, that demon possession in the precise manner in which it occurred during Christ's incarnate ministry was uniquely for the purpose of affording historical evidence that Christ (and His apostles) possessed the Sovereign Spirit of Godthat their message was one of victory and power over Satan and all of hell.
19.
A recent case in point, excerpts from article in Joplin, Mo., Globe, 3-8-81:
Catholic priests were attempting to rid an 11 year old boy in Brookfield, Conn. of demons. (The boy's name is unknown.)
A 19 year old friend was watching these sessions, challenged the demons to take me on. Control me. Leave this boy alone, acc. to tape recordings of the sessions. Arne Johnson was the friend.
Johnson allegedly stabbed to death a co-worker (Alan Bono) after Bono had quarreled at Bono's apartment.
Johnson is now pleading that he is not responsible for his acts because of demonic possession.
Ed and Lorraine Warren, who worked on the Amityville Horror case were asked to help the boy who appeared to be possessed (the 11 year old boy). The Warrens said they found movement of objects and frightening manifestations in the house. The Warrens said the boy was indeed possessed, and he seemed to be possessed off and on, 24 hours a day, said one family member. Tape recordings the Warrens made of some of the sessions have the boy making guttural and hissing sounds, cursing his mother, and threatening to stab and kill those present in the room.
Photographs of the sessions show family members attempting to restrain the boy, who the Warrens said seemed to have superhuman strength.
A priest named Virgulak was called to investigate the case; he has made several reports to the bishop of the diocese, but no public reports. He has declined to discuss the reports but said no formal exorcism has ever been requested or performed on the boy.
There were prayer sessions called a deliverance which is supposed to be a lesser form of exorcism that does not require approval of the bishop.
The Warrens say Johnson's attempts to help the boy were amateurish because the only way to order demons out of a person is by using the name of Jesus Christ.
Mrs. Warren said, ... (Johnson) he challenged what was within the child to take him onand none of us ever do that, not even priests. Problems with this account:
a.
Based on a number of begging the question statements such as, appeared to be., seemed to be., seemed to have., no public reports., supposed to be., approval of the bishop..
b.
In the name of Jesus means in the Bible, by the authority of Jesus. Does Roman Catholicism have the authority of Jesus to exorcise? The name of Jesus is to be used in exorcism by only those authorized to use it (cf. Acts 19:13-16). Whom are we to believe now has that authorization? What credentials do they present for it? Do such exorcists agree doctrinally with the Word of the Holy Spirit in the Bible? If not, are we to believe they have the power of the Spirit?
20.
There are two Old Testament prophecies, clearly Messianic, which predict the cessation of sorceries and soothsayers (Micah 5:12-13), and unclean spirits or demon-possession (Zechariah 13:2). Homer Hailey, in his book, A Commentary on the Minor Prophets, pub. Baker, sums up Zechariah 13:1-6 in these words, A fountain for sin and uncleanness will be opened for all the people. At that time the falsehood of idols will cease, prophesying will be discontinued, and the unclean spirits will pass out of the land. Mr. Hailey contends that Zechariah 13:1-9 is entirely Messianic and says, Once the foundation was laid and the new revelation was complete, the need for prophets would cease. Daniel indicates the same in a strong Messianic prophecy, when he said of the anointed one, the prince, that He would bring in everlasting righteousness, and seal up vision and prophecy. Likewise, unclean spirits, the antithesis of the prophets, would cease. In the conquest of Christ over Satan and his forces, unclean spirits have ceased to control men as they did in the time of the ministry of Christ and the apostles.
Of course, these prophecies from Micah and Zechariah do not preclude the attempts of human beings and Satan to try to deceive the world that demon possession and sorceries are still supernaturally viable. We believe the Bible clearly indicates what is alleged today to be supernatural demon possession is no longer a possibility. Lying wonders and deceiving signs remain very much a possibility so long as men and women refuse to believe and love the truth and prefer to believe what is false (see 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 4:3-4, etc.).
21.
The crucial and ultimate question about modern (alleged) demon possession is: Whose testimony is reliable? Whose testimony is inerrantly, infallibly reliable besides the testimony of the Scriptures? None! Any man today, without the inerrancy and infallibility of the Holy Spirit to verify his experience and accredit his testimony may be either deceived or a deceiver.
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER EIGHT
Outline
A.
Luke told more about the teaching ministry of Jesus (Luke 8:1-21).
1.
On one of the tours of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3).
a)
He went through the cities and villages bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God.
b)
Those who accompanied Him:
(1)
The twelve.
(2)
Certain woman who had been healed of evil spirits and other infirmities.
(a)
Mary Magdalene from whom seven demons had gone out.
(b)
Joanna, the wife of Chuzas who was Herod's steward.
(c)
Susanna and many others.
(3)
These women ministered to them out of their material possessions.
2.
The parable of the sower: How to understand the Word 4-15).
a)
Jesus spoke the parable to a crowd that assembled from every city.
b)
Results of sowing the seed:
(1)
On the wayside, the birds got it.
(2)
On the rocky soil, it withered for lack of moisture.
(3)
On the thorny soil, the thorns choked it out.
(4)
On the good soil, it produced a hundredfold.
c)
Jesus warned: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
d)
Jesus explained the parable to the disciples.
(1)
The disciples were to understand the secrets of the kingdom, although others did not.
(2)
The seed is the Word that was heard by four classes.
(a)
On the wayside, those who hear and do not understand. The devil takes away what was heard.
(b)
On the rocky soil, those who hear but have no depth in themselves. They fall when temptation comes.
(c)
On the thorny soil, those who hear but allow the cares of the world and pleasures to choke out the Word.
(d)
On the good soil, those who heed the word and hold it fast and produce the harvest with patience.
3.
The parable of the lamp: The Word is to be understood (Luke 8:16-18).
a)
A lighted lamp isn-'t covered up, but placed where it enables people to see.
b)
Nothing is hid, that is, Jesus-' teaching is to enable men to understand.
c)
Jesus warned, Take heed how you hear. Hearing can add to understanding or cause one to lose what he thinks he has.
4.
Spiritual kinship: The result of hearing and understanding the Word (Luke 8:19-21).
a)
Jesus-' mother and brothers were trying to reach Him, but couldn-'t for the crowd.
b)
When He was told that they were seeking Him, He said, My mother and my brethren are those who hear the Word of God and do it.
B.
Luke told more about the healing ministry of the Master (Luke 8:22-56). 1. Stilling the tempest (Luke 8:22-25).
a)
The circumstances.
(1)
It happened on one of those days.
(2)
Jesus and His disciples entered a boat and He said, Let's go to the other side of the lake.
(3)
They set out for the other side, and Jesus fell asleep.
(4)
A wind storm came down upon them, filling the boat with water and putting their lives in jeopardy.
(5)
The disciples awoke Jesus and said, Master, Master, we are perishing.
b)
The miracle.
(1)
Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and the waves.
(2)
The wind ceased blowing; the waves stopped tossing; a calm set in.
c)
Then the Master taught the lesson on faith.
(1)
He asked, Where is your faith?
(2)
In reverence and wonder, they said to one another, Who is this who gives orders to the winds and the waves and they obey Him?
2.
The Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8:26-39).
a)
The circumstances.
(1)
It was in the country of the Gerasenes on the opposite side of the lake from Galilee.
(2)
A naked demon-possessed man who lived in the tombs met Jesus as He landed.
(3)
He fell down before Jesus and in a loud voice said, What have I to do with you Jesus, Son of the Most High God?
b)
Casting out the demons (Luke 8:29-33).
(1)
The fact that Jesus was commanding them to come out had caused the man to cry out as he did.
(2)
No one had been able to keep him under guard, for the demons drove him into the desert places.
(3)
Jesus asked him, What is your name?
(4)
He said, Legion, for many demons had entered him.
(5)
The demons begged not to be ordered to depart into the abyss.
(6)
Jesus granted them permission to enter into the swine that were feeding nearby.
(7)
When they did, the swine rushed down the steep bank and were drowned in the sea.
c)
The effect of the miracle (Luke 8:24-39).
(1)
The herdsmen fled and told the story in the city and country, for they were afraid.
(2)
Those who came to investigate found Jesus and the man sitting at His feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.
(3)
The Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave their country, for they were seized with a great fear.
(4)
Jesus entered the boat and returned, for He was rejected by those who lost their possessions.
(5)
The man wanted to go with Jesus, but He sent him to his own house and city to tell about the great things God had done for him.
3.
Two more miracles of mercy (Luke 8:40-56).
a)
A twelve year old girl was dying (Luke 8:40-42 a).
(1)
A crowd that had been waiting for Jesus welcomed Him when He returned.
(2)
Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue and father of the dying girl, asked Jesus for help.
b)
A miracle that happened while He was on the way to Jairus house (Luke 8:42 b - Luke 8:48).
(1)
As the people crowded around Him, a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years touched Him and it stopped.
(2)
Jesus, knowing that power to heal had gone forth from Him, said, Who touched me?
(3)
The woman, in the presence of all the people, told why she had touched Him and how she had been healed.
(4)
Jesus said to her, Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.
c)
Raising Jairus-' daughter from the dead (Luke 8:49-56).
(1)
As He was speaking to the woman, there came one from Jairus-' house to say, Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher.
(2)
Jesus said, Believe and she shall be saved.
(3)
He permitted only Peter, John and James, and the father and mother of the child to enter the house with Him.
(4)
To the mourners within, He said, Stop weeping. She is not dead, she is sleeping.
(5)
They laughed Him to scorn for they knew that she was dead.
(6)
Jesus took her by the hand and said, Child, arise.
(7)
Her spirit returned and she arose.
(8)
Jesus had them give her some food, but told the parents to say nothing of what had happened.
Summary
Jesus and His disciples were on one of the many tours that took them through the villages and towns of Galilee. Certain women whom He had healed accompanied them and ministered to the group.
On one occasion a crowd gathered and He taught them in parables. The parable of the sower showed them that the Word of God is the seed. Four classes of hearer were described by Jesus, but the ones who heard and understood produced the harvest.
The parable of the lamp explained that Jesus intended them to understand His words, for a lamp lets people see. He warned them to be careful how they heard.
On another occasion when He was teaching, His mother and brothers asked for Him; but He said that those who hear the word of God and do it are the members of His family.
The pressures of His busy ministry made it necessary for Him to get away for some rest from time to time. Jesus and the disciples got into a boat, and Jesus said, Let's go to the other side. As they set out, He fell asleep. A sudden storm was about to sink their boat. The fearful disciples awoke Him. He rebuked the winds and waves and a calm set in. In reverent wonder they said, Who is this who speaks to the winds and waves and they obey Him?
They were met by a demon-possessed man as they landed on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus cast out the legion of demons and allowed them to enter a herd of swine that was feeding nearby. The swine rushed over the cliff and drowned in the sea. People came to see what had happened and were amazed to find this one whom they had never been able to control sitting calmly at Jesus-' feet. Fear seized them and they asked Jesus to leave. As He was getting into the boat, Jesus said to the man, Go to the people of your house and city and tell them about the great things God has done for you.
The daughter of a ruler of the synagogue was dying. Jairus, the father, asked Jesus to come to his home and help him.
On the way, a woman from the crowd that was following touched Him and was immediately healed.
On arriving at the home of Jairus, they were told that the child was dead. Jesus took Peter, James and John and the parents and entered the house. Taking the girl by the hand, He said, Child, arise. Her spirit returned and she arose. He said, Give her something to eat, but say nothing to anyone about what has happened.
Questions
1.
Where did Jesus conduct His teaching ministry?
2.
What do the Scriptures indicate about preaching in the great centers of population?
3.
What did Jesus and the disciples preach?
4.
How were they supported?
5.
What are the known facts about Mary Magdalene?
6.
How explain her loyalty to Christ?
7.
What is a parable?
8.
Why did Jesus speak in parables?
9.
What do the four types of soil represent?
10.
What is represented by the seed?
11.
How did the disciples learn the meaning of the parable of the sower?
12.
What bearing does this have on understanding figurative language of the Bible?
13.
What is meant by mysteries of the kingdom?
14.
What lesson is taught by the parable of the sower?
15.
How does the parable of the Lamp continue the lesson of the parable of the Sower?
16.
What lesson is taught by the parable of the Lamp?
17.
What was the attitude of Jesus-' brothers toward Him during His ministry?
18.
Why did Jesus and the disciples start across the sea?
19.
What changed their view?
20.
What lesson did Jesus teach about spiritual kinship?
21.
What is known about storms on the Sea of Galilee?
22.
What effect did the miracle of stilling the storm have on the disciples?
23.
Why did Jesus ask, Where is your faith?
24.
Where is the country of the Gerasenes?
25.
What proof that the man was demon-possessed?
26.
Why did the people ask Jesus to leave?
27.
What did Jesus say to the man who wanted to go with Him? Why?
28.
Who was Jairus?
29.
What did he ask Jesus to do?
30.
What happened on the way to his house?
31.
Why did the woman in the crowd have faith that Jesus could heal her?
32.
How does this differ from the lack of faith that kept the disciples from casting out the demon from the epileptic boy?
33.
Why did Jesus ask, Who touched me?
34.
When did they learn that the daughter of Jairus was dead?
35.
Why did He say, Fear not; only believe, and she shall be made well?
36.
Why did He limit those permitted to enter the home?
37.
What did He do in raising the child from the dead?
38.
What was the effect of the miracle on the parents?
39.
What restriction did Jesus place on them? Why?
40.
What about those who had laughed at Him in the presence of death?