Jesus' Power From Satan

Jesus Accused of Being Satan’s Pawn

{Matthew and Luke} A demon-possessed man also blind and mute was brought to Jesus and healed. The astonished onlookers wondered if Jesus could be the Son of David (chosen by God to save his people). {Mark} Jesus entered a house where the crowd pushed in so that he and his disciples weren’t able to eat. His family heard about it and went to take him in hand, saying, “He’s out of his mind.”

{Matthew, Mark, and Luke} The Pharisees (Luke says the onlookers) accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus said, “Every city or house fighting amongst themselves will be ruined. If Satan drives out Satan, how can his kingdom stand? Can anyone enter a strong man’s house and rob him before first tying him up? If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is here in your midst.”

For or Against

Jesus said, “Every sin and contemptuous attitude toward the sacred will be forgiven except that attitude toward the Spirit. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven but not against the Holy Spirit. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me (sinners to the kingdom of God), scatters (drives them away).”

{Matthew} “Watch out for false prophets who act as meek as lambs but are ravenous wolves. Their deeds show who they are. You do not pick grapes from thorn bushes. Bad trees are cut down and put in the fire. Only those who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom of heaven. The rest will be told, ‘I never knew you.’ ”

Personal Thought: There’s a later passage that says no one comes into the presence of God except through Jesus. Here, I think he clearly says the Holy Spirit takes precedence even over him. Non-Christians may not call on the name of Jesus. Doesn’t mean they don’t know God’s Holy Spirit. They can be with Jesus, follow the spirit of his teachings, even if they learn those teachings elsewhere.