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NASB | Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 8:16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons; and He cast out the evil spirits with a word, and restored to health all who were sick [exhibiting His authority as Messiah], |
Subject: Do demons still exist? |
Bible Note: Cwade, first of all, the fruit of the Spirit is not the same thing as the special gifts of empowerment Christ gave to certain of His followers to perform signs and miracles. The signs such as are enumerated in Mark 16:17,18, which include the power to cast out demons, were promised to the apostolic community, not to all believers in all ages. The "miracles, wonders and signs" that Jesus and His apostles performed, e.g., casting out demons and healing, were given in order to "attest" that God was working through Jesus [Acts 2:22] and to authenticate Christ and the apostolic preachers of the gospel. But in our time we have the finished work, the inspired testimony, the written record, "written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." [John 20:31]. Thus, Cwade, disciples since apostolic times have not been empowered with the "signs of an apostle" [2 Cor. 12:12]. But the Christ who empowered the apostles lives today, and it is He who has the power to regenerate us spiritually, to heal us physically, and to cast away from us Satan and his minions, and deliver us from the power of the evil one. --Hank |