Former Muslim Gets Delivered from Demon During Water Baptism

Along with biblical teaching on the topic of demons and deliverance, my book Setting Captives Free has many modern-day testimonies of freedom from evil spirits. Below is one such testimony. It is a powerful story of a woman who had been oppressed by a demon for many years, and was set free while being baptized in water. (Please note that her name has been changed to protect her privacy.) Be encouraged by this testimony of the freedom and victory we have in Christ Jesus!

Delivered from a Demon During Water Baptism

One of my favorite testimonies of deliverance from the devil’s oppression happened during a water baptism service that our church hosted. Nyla came to the service to be baptized, but I knew very little about her background. I had met her briefly and had talked to her on the phone about her desire to be baptized. She attended a different church but heard about the baptism service through some friends.

Nyla was born in the Middle East and grew up as a Muslim. Through a series of circumstances, she ended up in the United States as a refugee. Christians began to reach out to her, but at first, she was resistant. She eventually went to church with them, and without knowing why, she cried throughout the service. God was softening her heart. Jesus soon revealed Himself to her through a vision and a dream, and she committed her life to Him.

There were about 200 people in attendance at the water baptism service. We gathered together at a pond and worshipped God, and then I shared briefly about the significance of being baptized in water. The Holy Spirit had put on my heart that there would be deliverance from evil spirits at this service in connection with water baptism. I had heard of testimonies of deliverance happening during baptism, but had yet to see to see it happen in my own ministry.

I preached from 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 where the apostle Paul refers to the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea and compares it to baptism. Though the Israelites’ redemption was initiated by the blood of the Passover lamb being put on their doorposts, it wasn’t until they crossed the Red Sea that their deliverance was complete. In the same way, I explained, water baptism is more than an empty ritual. Though baptism is not what saves us, I believe that there is an actual spiritual transaction that takes place and there is a cutting off of the enemy. I declared that some who had been under demonic influence and oppression would be delivered as they obeyed the Lord in water baptism.

As I began to lead those who were getting baptized in a prayer of declaration of faith in Jesus, Nyla prayed along. But about halfway through the prayer, I noticed that she was no longer praying. She seemed to be in a struggle and had tears running down her face. I discerned that there was a spiritual battle happening in her mind, and took note of it so that I could pray accordingly when she was baptized. (She later told me that during this prayer she was hearing a demon say things like, What are you doing here? You’re going to go to hell if you do this! Go back to Islam! Get out of here!)

Nyla stepped into the water to be baptized and I laid hands on her and began to pray, breaking off any demonic power and commanding it to go in the name of Jesus. Within seconds, she began to tremble and then let out a long, loud shriek as the demon was cast out of her. She shared later that this demon had been oppressing her for many years, and that nothing would ever help or bring relief. As the demon was leaving, Nyla felt it being torn out of her chest and throat as it screamed in terror at the power of the resurrected Christ!

The crowd of people had witnessed a clear demonstration of the power of God over the kingdom of darkness. For some, this was nothing new, as it is not uncommon for deliverance ministry to happen at our church. But for others, this scene was a little shocking to observe. I had several people ask me about it afterward, wondering what exactly was going on.

The following week, Nyla came to our Sunday morning service and testified about her experience. She explained that she had been oppressed by this demon for many years, from the time she was young. Nothing that she or her parents tried to do would bring any relief, and now it was years later. There was not a dry eye in the crowd as she explained her story in broken English, and testified how Jesus had delivered her in His love and mercy. The place erupted in spontaneous praise to our great God!

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Setting Captives Free is filled with biblical teaching on the topic of demons and deliverance, powerful testimonies of those who have been set free, and practical prayers that you can use for yourself or others in need of deliverance. Make sure to get your copy!