How can Luke 9:49–50 be reconciled with the idea that Christ is the only way? I have been under the impression that Christ's teaching is very much along the way of "Christ is the only path." If so, what's going on in this passage?


  Luke 9:49–50 (KJV)
  49&nbsp; And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
  50&nbsp; And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.


How is this mysterious individual casting out devils without being a follower of Christ, and how is Jesus implying that this mysterious fellow is an ally?
In verse 49, as you have quoted it, this fellow is casting out demons in Jesus' name. As such, Jesus is still the one and only Way. 

Jesus' point here is not that there is another name under heaven by which men can be saved, but rather that just because someone is 'not part of the group' doesn't mean they can't be a follower of Christ. In other words, it could be a support for the notion that Jesus is more important than the Institution that proclaims him. 

Put another way, it is much like Paul's admonition in Phillippians, where he says he doesn't care whether Christ is preached out of selfish ambitions or good ones, as long as Christ is preached