Early Christian Beliefs About Demonic Affliction
Early Christians taught that demons were real and that Jesus and his followers could drive them out and heal the sick. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all speak this way, and the Gospels and Acts give the main Bible passages. Some texts are direct about exorcism, while others are broader healing or prayer passages. The strongest evidence is about Christ’s authority over unclean spirits, not about every kind of illness being demonic.
134 early-church witnesses · 229 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about demonic Affliction and Healing?
Early Christian writings treat demonic affliction as real and teach that Jesus and his followers could drive out unclean spirits and heal the sick. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Cyprian, and the Apostolic Constitutions all connect exorcism with Christ’s power, prayer, and the life of the church. The Bible passages most directly tied to this topic are the Gospel accounts and Acts, where Jesus and the apostles cast out demons and heal people who were oppressed or tormented.
The evidence is broad and consistent on exorcism and healing, while a few later or indirect texts speak more generally about illness, affliction, or spiritual struggle rather than demon-possession itself. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is described as healing people who were oppressed by the devil and casting out unclean spirits.
- Early Christian writers used exorcism as a sign of Christ’s power and the church’s ministry.
- The main Bible passages are in the Gospels and Acts, especially Matthew 10:1, Luke 7:21, and Luke 8:29.
Questions Answered by the Sources
Did early Christians teach that Jesus healed people oppressed by demons?
The strongest sources present Jesus as healing illness and expelling unclean spirits in the same ministry. Early Christian writers explicitly use Gospel scenes to argue that Jesus freed people from demonic oppression and restored them to health.
-
Matthew 10:1 Direct teaching
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
-
Mark 3:10 Supporting witness
For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.
-
Luke 8:27 Supporting witness
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
-
Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Direct teaching
who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;
-
Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching
... says is really more mockery than an answer. He says, "Do you not see, good sir, that even your own demon is not only reviled, but banished from every land and sea? And you yourself, who are like an image dedicated to him, are bound and led to punishment, and fastened to the stake, while your demon—or, as you call him, 'the Son of God'—takes no vengeance on the evil-doer?" This answer would be acceptable if we used the kind of language he claims we use. Even then, however, he would have no right to call the Son of God a demon. For since we hold that all demons are evil, He who turns so many people to God is, in our view, no demon, but God the Word, and the Son of God. And I do not know how Celsus forgot himself so completely as to call Jesus Christ a demon, when he nowhere even mentions the existence of any evil demons. Finally, as for the punishments threatened against the ungodly, these will come upon them after they have refused every remedy and have, so to speak, been visited with an incurable malady of sinfulness.
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
...came into captivity to it. Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He said to him, "Legion," for many devils had entered into him. They begged him not to command them to depart into the depths. There was there a herd of many swine, feeding in the mountain, and those devils begged him to let them enter the swine; and he gave them permission. The devils went out of the man and entered into the swine. And that herd hurried to the summit and fell down into the midst of the sea, about two thousand, and they were choked in the water. When the keepers saw what had happened, they fled and told those in the cities and villages. The people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whose devils had gone out, clothed, modest, seated at the feet of Jesus; and they feared. They reported what they saw, and how the man was healed who had a devil, and also concerning those swine.
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
...ere almost falling on him because they were seeking to come near him. And those who had plagues and unclean spirits, as soon as they saw him, would fall down and cry out and say, "You are the Son of God." And he rebuked them much, so that they should not make him known. And those who were under the constraint of unclean spirits were healed. And all the crowd were seeking to come near him, because power went out from him, and he healed them all.
Did early Christians pray for and cast out unclean spirits?
The sources show Christians praying for people troubled by unclean spirits and, in some texts, explicitly casting out demons in Christ’s name. Several liturgical and ecclesial passages also describe exorcism as part of Christian ministry and baptismal preparation.
-
Acts 8:7 Supporting witness
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
-
Matthew 8:16 Direct teaching
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
-
Cyprian, Seventh Council of Carthage Direct teaching
...d of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," Matthew 28:19. Therefore, first by the laying on of hands in exorcism, and second by the regeneration of baptism, they may then come to the promise of Christ. Otherwise, I think it ought not to be done.
-
Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness
...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac
-
Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
And this also is done in the present day, in that the devil is scourged, and burned, and tortured by exorcists, by the human voice, and by divine power;
More related quotations from this section 7 shown
-
Mark 1:26 Supporting witness
And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
-
Mark 1:34 Supporting witness
And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
-
Mark 1:32 Supporting witness
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
-
Acts 5:16 Supporting witness
The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
-
Mark 6:13 Supporting witness
And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
-
Luke 9:1 Supporting witness
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
-
Mark 3:15 Supporting witness
and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
Did early Christians think demons could cause sickness and mental harm?
Several early writers say demons disturb health, minds, bodies, or sleep, and that Christ or Christian exorcists bring relief from that oppression. These sources do not always use identical language, but they consistently connect demonic activity with real affliction.
-
Acts 10:38 Direct teaching
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
-
Luke 7:21 Direct teaching
And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
-
Luke 8:29 Direct teaching
For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
-
Mark 9:25 Direct teaching
And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
-
Mark 5:13 Direct teaching
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
-
Luke 9:42 Direct teaching
And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
-
Matthew 4:24 Supporting witness
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
-
Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching
Thence is given power, with modest chastity, with a sound mind, with a simple voice, with unblemished virtue, that is able to quench the virus of poisons for the healing of the sick, to purge out the stains of foolish souls by restored health, to bid peace to those hat are at enmity, repose to the violent, gentleness to the unruly — by startling threats to force to avow themselves the impure and vagrant spirits that have betaken themselves into the bodies of men whom they purpose to destroy, to drive them with heavy blows to come out of them, to stretch them out struggling, howling, groaning with increase of constantly renewing pain, to beat them with scourges, to roast them with fire: the matter is carded on there, but is not seen;
-
Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness
by afflictions and evil spirits and dangerous diseases and grievous sicknesses.
-
Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Supporting witness
Remember, O Lord, the sick and afflicted, and those troubled by unclean spirits, their speedy healing from You, O God, and their salvation.
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...ou catechumens, in peace. And after they have gone out, let him say: You energumens, afflicted with unclean spirits, pray, and let us all earnestly pray for them, that God, who loves mankind, will by Christ rebuke the unclean and wicked spirits, and deliver His supplicants from the dominion of the adversary. May He who rebuked the legion of demons, and the devil, the prince of wickedness, Mark 5:9; Zechariah 3:2, even now rebuke these apostates from piety, and deliver His own workmanship from his power, and cleanse those creatures whom He has made with great wisdom. Let us still pray earnestly for them. Save them, O God, and raise them up by Your power. Bow down your heads, you energumens, and receive the blessings. And let the bishop add this prayer, and say:
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
...got up and served them. When evening came, they brought to him many who had demons. And all who had diseases, varied and severe, brought them to him. He laid his hand on them one by one and healed them. This was so that what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “He takes our pains and bears our diseases.” And the whole city was gathered together at the door of Jesus. He also cast out demons from many, as they were crying out and saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” And he rebuked them. He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew that he was the Lord Messiah.
More related quotations from this section 19 shown
-
Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching
Therefore, these spirits hide under statues and consecrated images. They breathe into the hearts of their prophets, stir the inner organs used for divination, direct the flight of birds, control the casting of lots, and give power to oracles. They are always mixing falsehood with truth, because they are both deceived and deceivers. They trouble people's lives and disturb their sleep. These spirits also creep into their bodies, secretly terrify their minds, twist their limbs, damage their health, and stir up diseases in order to force them to worship them. Then, after they have been fed with the smoke of altars and the heaps of sacrificed cattle, they loosen what they had bound, and so seem to have brought about a cure. The only relief from them comes when their own harm stops. They have no other desire than to call people away from God and turn them from understanding the true religion to superstition toward themselves. And since they themselves are under punishment, they want to find companions in punishment for themselves, making others share in their guilt through their deception. However, when we command them by the true God, they immediately give way and confess, and they are
-
Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Direct teaching
For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the possessing devils out of the men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs.
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching
And Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man: and he had suffered a long 46 time since the time when he came into captivity to it.
-
Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
...ey trouble them through men and persecute them by the hands of others. And if they admit that these demons exist, we have won. For the true religion must be the one that understands the nature of demons, understands their craftiness, and compels them, once conquered and subdued, to yield to it. If they deny it, they will be refuted by the testimony of poets and philosophers. But if they do not deny the existence and malice of demons, what remains except for them to say that there is a difference between gods and demons? Let them then explain to us the difference between the two kinds, so that we may know what should be worshiped and what should be held in execration, and whether they agree with each other or are truly opposed to one another. If they are joined together by some necessity, how shall we distinguish them? Or how shall we join the honor and worship of each kind? But if, on the other hand, they are enemies, why is it that the demons do not fear the gods, or that the gods cannot drive away the demons? Look, someone stirred by the impulse of a demon is out of his senses, raving, and mad. Let us lead him into the temple of the excellent and mighty Jupiter, or, since Jupi
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...nd exposed to the wicked spirit. Now every person is filled either with the Holy Spirit or with the unclean spirit, and it is not possible to avoid one or the other, unless they could receive opposite spirits at the same time. For the Comforter hates every lie, and the devil hates all truth. But everyone who is baptized according to the truth is separated from the devilish spirit and is under the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit remains with him as long as he does good, and fills him with wisdom and understanding, and does not allow the wicked spirit to come near him, but watches over his ways. Therefore, woman, if, as you say, in the days of your separation you are without the Holy Spirit, then you are filled with the unclean one. For by neglecting prayer and reading, you will invite him to yourself, even if he were unwilling. For this spirit, more than all others, loves the ungrateful, the lazy, the careless, and the sleepy, since he himself, through ingratitude, became sick with an evil mind, and by this was deprived by God of his dignity, because he chose to be a devil rather than an archangel. Therefore, woman, avoid such empty words, and always remember God who created you
-
Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness
And as He Himself before His passion put to confusion demons by His word and command, so now, by the name and sign of the same passion, unclean spirits, having insinuated themselves into the bodies of men, are driven out, when racked and tormented, and confessing themselves to be demons, they yield themselves to God, who harasses them.
-
Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
their spirits creeping also into their bodies, secretly terrify their minds, distort their limbs, break their health, excite diseases to force them to worship of themselves, so that when glutted with the steam of the altars and the piles of cattle, they may unloose what they had bound, and so appear to have effected a cure.
-
Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
For as He Himself, when He was living among men, put to flight all the demons by His word, and restored to their former senses the minds of men which had been excited and maddened by their dreadful attacks;
-
Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness
For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church.
-
Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
And after they are gone out, let him say: You energumens, afflicted with unclean spirits, pray, and let us all earnestly pray for them, that God, the lover of mankind, will by Christ rebuke the unclean and wicked spirits, and deliver His supplicants from the dominion of the adversary.
-
Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
For it is known that Christ, either by applying His hand to the parts affected, or by the command of His voice only, opened the ears of the deaf, drove away blindness from the eyes, gave speech to the dumb, loosened the rigidity of the joints, gave the power of walking to the shrivelled — was wont to heal by a word and by an order, leprosies, agues, dropsies, and all other kinds of ailments, which some fell power has willed that the bodies of men should endure.
-
Tertullian, To Scapula Supporting witness
How many men of rank (to say nothing of common people) have been delivered from devils, and healed of diseases!
-
Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
they, too, by no different command, restored to health and to soundness of mind those labouring under the inflictions of these demons.
-
Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
By one command He drove demons from the body, and restored their senses to the lifeless;
-
Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Supporting witness
Raise up those who have been long afflicted, and heal those who are vexed with unclean spirits.
-
Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness
Nor, indeed, is it a slight cause that the unclean spirits of demons, having received permission, throw themselves into the bodies of many;
-
Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness
And they teach certain incantations and formularies for those who have been bitten by dogs, and possessed of demons, and seized with other diseases;
-
Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
These, however, when adjured by us through the true God, at once yield and confess, and are constrained to go out from the bodies possessed.
-
Tatian, The Diatessaron Background
Luke 6:18 And those that were under the constraint of unclean 17 spirits were healed.
Common Questions
Did early Christians believe demons could afflict people?
Yes. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, and Cyprian speak of unclean spirits, demoniacs, and exorcism as real.
Did early Christians think Jesus healed demonized people?
Yes. The Gospels and early writers connect Jesus’ healing with casting out demons and freeing people from oppression.
Did the early church practice exorcism?
Yes. Cyprian and the Apostolic Constitutions describe exorcism as part of Christian ministry and baptismal practice.
Source Index for Demonic Affliction and Healing
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 229 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 134
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
-
Clement of Alexandria, Who Is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?
-
Unknown, Unknown Work
Bible Passages 80 shown of 95
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.