A Man had an only child that was possessed by an evil spirit, which seized him violently. Often he would fall in a fire or water; it would tear and bruise him and he would foam, and gnash with his teeth (Matthew 17:15; Mark 9:17-18). Let us examine his faith expression for his son’s deliverance.
He took the son to Jesus’ disciples and asked them to cast the demon out but they could not. He then cried to Jesus from among the huge crowd saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son”. He explained that the disciples could not cure him (Luke 9:38-40; Matthew 17:15-16). Jesus to ask him how long ago since the evil spirit was upon him. He answered saying since of a child and he explained the nature of the affliction; and said “but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us” (Mark 9:20-22).
Jesus said to him “if [he believed], all things are possible to him that believeth”, he immediately cried and said with tears “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24). Jesus rebuked the devil saying, “thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him”. And the spirit departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very moment (Matthew 17:18; Mark 9:25-27).
This faith could manifest in cases where one solicits the help of a servant of God to intervene for a child (or other family member) that they know is afflicted by evil spirits and showing violent tendencies, or are dumb, deaf or having other abnormalities.
3. CORNELIUS’ FAITH GAINS HIS HOUSEHOLD SALVATION
