THE BIBLE gives us enough clues to peel away centuries of tradition to see what the apostles knew about Satan in the first century.
So, what do we know for sure about Satan?
* Old Testament
* “The satan” was a title, not a proper name
* He was allowed to test Job
* Tested David through census (1 Chr. 21:1)
* Asked to test the high priest Joshua (Zechariah 3:1–2)
* New Testament
* Satan is a proper name
* He tested Jesus (Matt. 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13)
* He has a kingdom (Matt. 12:26)
* Sows his seed (“sons”) among the faithful (Matt. 13:38–39)
* He fell “from heaven like lightning” (Luke 10:18)
* He entered into Judas Iscariot (Lk. 22:3; Jn. 13:27)
* He asked to “sift” the disciples “like wheat” (Lk. 22:31), but Jesus prayed for Peter
* He exploits our pride (1 Tim. 3:6–7)
* He can disguise himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14)
* He has messengers (angelos) (2 Cor. 12:7)
