A Biblical and Theological Foundation for a Seventh-day Adventist Practical Approach to Deliverance Ministry

Abstract

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church believes that during Christ’s earthly ministry Jesus had victory in all his encounters with Satan and his demonic forces (Ministerial Association 2005:149). Adventists argue that although “spiritual wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph 6:12) still exists with Satan roaring today like a lion seeking whom he may “devour” (1 Pet 5:8) or operating with discretion and subtlety like a snake seeking whom he may “deceive” (Gen 3:1, Matt 10:16, Rev 12:9), every disciple of Christ can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to have victory over the deceptive, destructive power, and malice of Satan and demons. Unfortunately, the biblically sound doctrinal statement on “Christian Spiritual Warfare” (Ministerial Association 2005:149) that clearly emphasizes Christ’s dominant authority and power over Satan and his agents has been a source of debate, dissension, and polemics concerning its practical aspects in some Adventists quarters (see Biblical Research Institute 1983; Koranteng-Pipim 2005:163–205).