Perhaps you have herd the term “Deliverance Minister.” Many people today
have been duped by the Charismatic Movement to believe that earthly
ministers can “deliver people from their sins and addictions.” Such people
are often said to “have demons.”
However, the Word of God never speaks of deliverance ministers. The word “deliverance” is mentioned 14-times in the Old Testament and 2-times in the New Testament and has nothing to do with sin or demons.
We are taught in Joel 2:32a, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.” Only through Jesus Christ can one be saved and delivered from the power of Satan. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” One is delivered through faith alone in Christ Jesus and the Word of God.
John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.”
John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.”
Psalm 119:11, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
Jesus said the THE TRUTH would set us free. It is the Word of God that brings deliverance, and not the placing on of hands by some minister. Deliverance can only come from God alone. The only deliverance which any genuine man of God can offer is the preaching of the Word of God. Many people go to a Charismatic Crusade, expecting some man saturated with sins himself to deliver them. This is not possible.
In Pastor Max D. Younce's excellent book, I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!, he states:
God has allowed mankind to learn much about science and medicine. He has given doctors for our benefit. God expects us to use the blessings of medical knowledge He has given us. In James 5:14-16 we find the elders anointed with oil (medicine) and prayed. That is what God wants us to do today. Use the medicine and knowledge available, and bathe it with prayer.
God can and does step in, at His will; but it is not through the phony “faith-healer” procedures that are so prevalent today. When God heals, He heals completely and without charge! It is always right to appeal to the “Great Physician.” He is always in!
“And the prayer of faith shall heal the sick, and THE LORD (if it is His will) shall raise him up...”
SOURCE: Dr. Max D. Younce, I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED!, Volume 2, pg. 225; ISBN-13-978-0-9815225-8-6; Morris Publishing.
Just as Catholics foolishly expect priests to forgive theirs sins (which they cannot), so do Charismatics expect their ministers to deliver them; but deliverance is of THE LORD.
Jesus commanded in John 5:39 for believers to SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES!
Acts 13:5, “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”
