It's Time for My Deliverance: Breaking Free from All That Entangles Life

IT’S TIME FOR MY

DELIVERANCE

Breaking Free from All that Entangles Life

DR. CORNELIUS MEREWEATHER-THOMPSON

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© 2012 by Dr. Cornelius Mereweather-Thompson. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 06/28/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8573-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8574-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8575-9 (ebk)

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

FOREWORD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

This book is not written to wet the appetite of theologians, nor is it proposing a thesis that would fulfill the quest of academics. It is deliberately made simple and devoid of jargons that would dampen the interest of readers. It is written with the aim to reach a wider audience who would benefit from the message and power of God to reach them at their point of need. I do hope that the reader would relate with the real stories that are presented to understand that their circumstances can be dealt with and be transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. I hope that it would serve as a tool kit by providing the reader with the: how to stay delivered.

This book is written from a pastoral stand point and would be a valuable resource to those who are trapped in many habits and conditions and are unable to escape without some tangible. I shall be approaching the subject from a radical perspective, inputting various levels of understanding and contexts. It is going to be a daunting task. Nevertheless, I’ll have to seize the bull by the horns. It took me almost two years to settle down to write this book. The moment I decidedto write on the subject, a spirit of lethargy took hold of me.

It was as if the desire and the flame I once had, had been extinguished. This I felt was a spiritual attack. I felt how Martin Luther felt like, throwing the ink pot at the devil. After devoting myself to prayer and fasting, my spirit returned and my passion was aroused once more. The urge to write took hold of me like a dedicated scribe. I give God the glory!

The moment Deliverance is mentioned within the context of the church there is the tendency to cause uneasiness; a stir, and perhaps even a fright. It could result in a reaction comparable to fright—and—flight syndrome. What are the reasons behind such responses? Oh, this is supernatural and I do not want to get involved with it, someone remarked quite frantically. could be partly right to view the process as supernatural in some ways. It is quite in order to perceive deliverance as supernatural within the context of the church. It should also beenconsidered as less supernatural when viewed from the perspective of professionals like counselors, drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics and the services offered by doctors and other health professionals.

As I am dealing with the subject from a Christian stand it true to say that it is supernatural. It is also considered as a helpful process, a ministry, to liberate the whole person. Should we then be startled by the expression: deliverance? Are there different ways that discussions and explorations around Deliverance as a subject could be carried out without cause for alarm? There are many attempts by Christian authors like Robert Liardon (2000), Chester Crystal et al (2005), to present Deliverance as a specialty—a ministry. Such ministrieslay emphasis on exorcising demons that have possessed and plagued people. Their duties involve several sessions of praying and fasting together with the intercessory team before conducting the actual deliverance. The Team leader/ prophetread selected passages of scripture and prays over the person who is possessed. You would hear, in some cases, questions like, Who are you and what is your name? The reason for such a question is to identify the demon before casting out the demon by the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

It is not unusual to hear the pastor/apostle shouting at the top of his/her voice, "I cast you out by the blood of Jesus, I command you to leave and go back to the pit of hell where you came from! Jesus’ encounter with the demoniac (Mark 5), and Paul and Silas’ encounter with the slave girl who was possessed by the spirit of divination (Acts 16), became modus operandi for Deliverance ministry. Most Christians in my view, particularly from the main line churches, shy away from the deliverance ministry all together.

There are some who harbor doubts whether demons could possess any individual at all. Others are of the opinion that once you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ you are totally saved. That for one to be possessed by demons is ludicrous and insane. There are charismatic churches and particularly Pentecostal churches, mainly in the third world and some parts in the Western world for whom deliverance from demonic possession and occultist practices seemed to be their main preoccupation. In the churches ministry in the 21st century, a lot of changes have occurred in the traditional churches as a result of the charismatic renewal. For quite a while, books on deliverance have been written and discussed in a very narrow context. Unfortunately, readers have been kept in ignorance without fully knowing the nitty-gritty of deliverance as a whole.

It is such parochial misunderstanding of deliverance that this book would be moving away from. The desired intention of this book is to reach a wider audience; to stimulate their thinking and to enable them understand the benefits that are there to gain. Although the book is written with a Christian bias, never the less, I have no doubt that it would captivate the interest of those who are religiously inclined; as well as those avid and curious readers who are keen to read the thoughts of other people. People like myself who have spent significant numbers of years in remote parts of Africa, ministering and working among people of different cultural, socio-economic, traditional and religious contexts and background.

My ministry for over twenty years in the United Kingdom is an added value which would add freshness andinsights into this book. I am aware that to revisit this theme on deliverance would be fraught with difficulties, but I am quite optimistic that it would make a good read. Revisiting this topic would succeed in bringing into the fore various perspectives that are encapsulated in the context of deliverance in general. The lexicographical understanding of deliverance itself would be explored. This would make a lot of sense to understand the variety of meanings that are conveyed by deliverance. One is mindful of the dangers of embroiling in semantics which could devalue and dull the interest of this topic.

As brevity is the soul of wit, one would be careful not to unnecessarily belabor the point and go straight to the subject for discussion. The main areas for interaction centers around deliverance. The book would not deal specifically with deliverance as a specialized ministry, but deliverance in a broader context. It would ask questions like: what is deliverance?, what are we delivered from?, what is meant by delivered from and delivered into? What other aspects of our lives that need deliverance? Would there be deliverance without a deliverer? What are we up against? How does deliverance disentangle us from ourselves and selfish desires? What are the spiritual and sociological benefits of deliverance? What impact does our faith and relationship in Jesus Christ play in empowering us against spiritual attacks?

In all seriousness, I am quite certain that this book would make a very strong case for belief in Jesus Christ as the ultimate deliverer who alone would free us from all the forces of evil. This book would deepen our understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit and the matchless power of Christ to subdue and destroy every and any demonic oppression and condition on the individual’s life. The deliverance that Christ offers would also transform the individual’s life and deal with any addiction or habits that once kept the individual in bondage. This book would also enable us to understand that every deliverance presents an opportunity to witness to the awesome power of God in Christ.

This would fit in nicely with the reasons why we are delivered. Our deliverance would not have happened without the sacrificial offering of God’s only begotten son; Jesus Christ. The unconditional love of God would help us to understand how valued we are as objects of God’s creation. As the book is about deliverance and how to stay delivered, each chapter ends with a special prayer to empower and encourage the reader in the challenges that they might be experiencing. There are series of questions that are raised that are meant to stimulate our thinking on some of the issues that affect our lives and how we respond to them. The value of such exercises is for us to reflect and examine our faith in Christ.

I am quite sure that at the end of this book the reader would fully understand the salvation package offered by God through Christ, and how that salvation made deliverance available to the whole of humanity. Finally, the book would make a strong case for absolute faith in Christ to be sought by all and to experience the power of the Holy Spirit that God would unleash in the believer’s life.

FOREWORD

The issue of deliverance, like many aspects of Christian doctrine, has unfortunately caused much disagreement among Christian groups. It is one of those areas where Christian leaders have to be very careful what they teach and above all what they practice.

‘Deliverance also raises some important pastoral questions such as:

•   how to interpret Scripture, including finding the right balance between the teachings of the Old Testament and the New;

•   what to emphasise in modern tribal culture and what to pay less attention to;

•   how far Christians should rely on modern medicinal practice in treating people with psychological and mental problems.

This book, by Dr. Cornelius Mereweather-Thompson, an experienced pastor and scholar, aims to explore the topic in a sympathetic way, looking at different sides of the argument and giving practical suggestions for pastors and lay believers alike. It may not answer every question we may have on the topic but it provides an important framework for analysing the issues and a pointer towards finding solutions to particular problems.

May God use His servant’s work to help all of us grow in grace.

Revd Canon Emile Jones BA (hons) MA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Cornelius Mereweather-Thompson served the Methodist conference in Sierra Leone as conference youth secretary and superintendent minister before receiving the call to serve the Baptist ministry. currently in London with his family, serving the Baptist union in Britain and Ireland as an accredited minister. He served as member of the Board of directors for London Baptist property board. He also served president for the 300 churches in the London Baptist association. He is currently the senior minister at Harlesden Baptist church in Northwest London.

Pastor Mereweather-Thompson holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Ecumenism and a PhD in Missiology. He currently lectures theology at Thames InstituteEducation. He also served as—executive director for Brent primary care trust in London. He is a gifted speaker and has organised many conferences and seminars. He is married and blessed with three children. He is the author of the following books: Releasing the champion inside of you(2008) and Christian approaches to dialogue with other faith communities(1995).

The book, It’s time for my deliverance, is captivating and opens one’s eyes to the challenges that the forces of darkness pose to the human soul. The author cogently and carefully introduces us to the presence of evil that widely penetrates into the system of governments and institutions of authority. He underlines of the subtle ways enemy could employ to ensnare and capture the individual. In-spite of the relentless battles that are waged by Satan and his allies, the author highlights the power of Christ in subduing and overcoming every force that comes against the believer. He listed certain steps that should be followed to aid one’s deliverance. faith in Christ is a must. That knowing Christ and accepting him as personal Saviour and Lord is paramount. He advocated prayer as a powerful tool for deliverance.

"This is the most exciting and powerful tool for deliverance

I’ve ever read"—Dr Kayode Robin-Coker, London

Vivid illustrations, powerful imagination, clearly and delightfully presented—Dr Rodney Kuhn King, USA

A fresh insight in dealing with pastoral issues

—Prof Revd Alex Coker, Thames Institute, London

Email: doccmt1@gmail.com

DEDICATION

To God be the glory!

This book is dedicated to the memory of my father Henry Mereweather-Thompson