Yes I know much is left unanswered, yet it would be very interesting to know how demon possesion was dealt with in the first century.
We know there were jews who practiced exorcism. (Act 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. ) Demon possession seems to have been accepted, although we have no information on it's frequency.
Amongst the Romans, commercial exploitation of the demon possessed occurred. (Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
Act 16:17 The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
Act 16:18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
Act 16:19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
Act 16:20 and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
Act 16:21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. )
I am however still intrigued as to the status of those demon possessed withing the synagogue community.
Now surely there is a minister out there who spent some time while studying for their degree, in studying contemporary Jewish thought and practice regarding demoniacs (amongst other things)?
There is absolutely no indication that he pushed into the service rather he seems to have sat silently until Jesus begins preaching - then cries out.
