WHY DELIVERANCE?
1. Because it validates the Word of God–it provides the veracity and power of the Word today.
Luke 4:18-21 (”to preach deliverance to the captives…to set at liberty them that are bruised…this day is this scripture fulfilled”) - the fulfillment of Isa. 61:1,2.
Matt. 8:16,17 (”he cast out the spirits with his word…that it might be fulfilled what was spoken by…the prophet”) - the fulfillment of Isa. 53:4
Psa. 107:20 (He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them…”).
2. Because it brings about the downfall of Satan and his kingdom.
Luke 10:17,18 (”even the devils are subject unto us through thy name…I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”)
Matt. 12:22-30 (”Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb, and he healed him…I cast out devils by the Spirit of God…strong man…spoil his good…spoil his house”) - the effect that deliverance has on Satan and his kingdom (see vs. 25,26)
Rev. 12:7-11 (”war in heaven…the great dragon was cast out…into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him…the accuser of our brethren is cast down”)
3. Because it contributes to establish the kingdom of God on earth.
Rev. 12:7-11 (”the great dragon…was cast out…his angels were cast out with him…now is come…the kingdom of our God”).
Col. 1:13 (Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear son”).
Matt. 12:22,28 (”if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you”)
Matt. 4:23,24 (”preaching the gospel of the kingdom…they brought unto him…people that were taken with …torments, and those which were possessed with devils…and he healed them”).
EXAMPLES:
Phillip in Samaria: Acts 8:7,12 (”seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them…preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God”).
Paul in Ephesus: Acts 19:8,11-12 (”disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God…God wrought special miracles…the evil spirits went out of them”).
4. Because it helps fulfill the Great Commission.
Mark 16:15,17,20 (”Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils…the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following”).
Acts 14:3 (”the Lord…gave testimony unto the word…granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands”).
Heb. 2:3,4 (”so great salvation…confirmed unto us…God also bearing them witness with signs and wonders, and divers miracles…according to his own will”).
Deliverance is a sign (Mark 16:17) and a miracle (Mark 9:38,39 - Acts 8:6,7 - Acts 19:11,12).
5. Because it demonstrates the power of the name of Jesus.
Mark 16:17 (”in my name they shall cast out devils”).
Phil. 2:9,10 (That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things…under the earth…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”).
EXAMPLES:
Luke 9:49 (”casting out devils in thy name”).
Luke 10:17 (”the devils are subject unto us through thy name”)
Acts 16:18 (”in the name of Jesus Christ…come out of her. And he came out the same hour”).
6. Because it gives continuity to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
John 14:12 (He that believeth in me, the works that I do shall he do also”). His works are listed in Matt. 4:23,24 - Mark 1:34,39 - Luke 7:22; 13:32
Acts 1:1 (”of all that Jesus began to do and teach”). His ministry was to continue through His church.
7. Because it applies the benefits of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Gal. 1:4 (Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world”) - The world is an evil system under the control of Satan (1 John 5:19). The spirit that operates in the world is called “the spirit of this world” (1 Cor. 2:12). Jesus gave himself (to suffer and die on the cross) so that He could deliver us from this spirit.
He. 2:14-15 (”that through death he might destroy…the devil; and deliver them who…were…subject to bondage”) - Jesus, through his death on the cross, destroyed the devil and made it possible that those who were subject to bondage might be delivered.
Col. 2:15 (”having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”). Jesus, through his death on the cross (v. 14), spoiled, shamed and defeated Satan and his minions.
8. Because it restores New Testament Christianity to the Church
Acts 3:21 (”Whom the heaven must receive (retain) until the time of restitution (restoration) of all things”). Before Jesus returns there must be a “time of restoration” of all things, including the deliverance ministry.
Joel 2:25,31,32 (I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you…before the great and terrible day of the Lord come…whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered”). These insects and worms are types of the evil spirits that devastated the church of Jesus Christ after the third century. Here God promises to restore His church in the end-times, including the deliverance ministry.
Obad. 15,17,21 (”The day of the Lord is near…upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance…and saviours (deliverers, margin NKJV) shall come up on Mount Zion; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s”). Mount Zion is a type of the church. Deliverance must be restored to the church before the Kingdom of God can be established on earth.