Another post addresses what I believe is 'the real deal’ concerning the concept of being slain in the spirit (Slain in The Spirit? The Real Deal (poem)) based on insights from Ezekiel 9, Joshua 6 and other similar passages of Bible Scripture.
This post addresses the traditional view of the concept, and is based on a broad, integrative interpretation of Scripture rather than typically narrow interpretations used to support many traditional practices and beliefs. I am aware of many traditional interpretations based on church experiences from both my childhood and adult life.
The expression, ‘slain in the spirit” (also referred to as falling under or being overcome by the power of God or resting in the spirit), is used by many charismatic Christians to mean falling (most often backwards) on the floor during an intense, often emotional religious experience. They attribute this to the power of The Spirit of God, and base it on several seemingly related Scripture verses, such as:
- John 18:6 Roman soldiers drew back and fell to the ground when Jesus said, "I am He".
- Acts 9 Saul’s fell off his beast (likely a donkey) upon encountering a bright light.
- Revelation 1:17 John, the beloved disciple, fell as dead at Jesus’ feet.
- Ezekiel 1:28 Ezekiel fell on his face during an encounter with the glory of The Lord.
- 2 Chronicles 5:14 The priests could not ‘stand’ to minister by reason of the glory cloud of The LORD filling the first Temple.
It is important to note there are many documented occasions when people did not fall prostate on their faces at the presence of The Almighty.
Definitional issue: The word, slain, is the past participle of the verb, to slay, which means to kill by violence, to destroy or extinguish; to impress strongly or overwhelm, e.g., by humor; to strike; to kill or murder.
Response: Jesus came to offer abundant life on earth and eternal life in the hereafter. (John 10:10) He is, however, in the earth exercising loving-kindness (Grace), judgment and righteousness. (Jeremiah 9:24) Many verses clearly demonstrate this includes passing sentence on the consistently wicked, and turning them over to evil forces to administer God’s judgment. This is a multi-stage process, first spiritually and ending physically. Examples are of what happened spiritually are in Ezekiel 9, Joshua 6, etc., and the physical results are in examples such as 2 Chronicles 25:16; 36:15-21; and many other such cases where God’s judgment was executed, resulting in the ‘slaying’ of many. Undoubtedly, this is the exact opposite of the current day concept and practice of being ‘slain in the spirit’. In these cases, people were spiritually marked for death, and physical death ensued.Identification issue: Whose or what spirit is being referred to in the phrase, ‘slain in the spirit’. Is it The Holy Spirit of God, or a person’s spirit, or is the term simply referring to the spiritual realm, or perhaps some combination of these?
Response: This signification is not clear, hence, the meaning is easily confused. God is not the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33)Resting issue: How can being slain in the spirit be in anyway equivalent to resting in The Spirit of God?
Response: Connecting these two opposing concepts (being slain and resting in the spirit) immediately creates an inherent conflict with Scripture. Jesus said come to Him and find rest for our souls because His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:29) In light of this, it is both risky and contradictory to associate ‘being slain or killed in the spirit’ as a type of ‘resting in the spirit’. While we can/do experience and enjoy the heightened presence of The Lord for a while during periods of worship, we are called to ‘enter into God’s rest’, not for a few short minutes of bliss on the church floor, as in some form of religious ecstasy, but for eternity.Directional issue: The overwhelming majority of Bible references (except two that I recall) to people falling in the presence of The Spirit of God are of them falling prostate to the ground, on their faces, as in the highest form of worship, obeisance, respect and awe (e.g., before a monarch who has the power to kill or leave alive), not on their backs like dead people.
Response: Big difference. Falling prostate on one’s face was an apparent cultural practice of the past monarch era, and certainly God trumps any human king. Moreover, even Jesus ‘fell on His face’ and prayed to God. (Matthew 26:39) In light of the context of this verse, He was certainly neither ‘slain nor resting in the spirit’, as if experiencing some form of religious ecstasy.Soldiers falling issue: When the soldiers of the Sanhedrin came to arrest Jesus, they drew backward and fell to the ground when He said, “I AM He.” (John 18:6)
Response: Clearly, the soldiers did not fall prostate to the ground on their faces in highest worship or respect. Neither did they fall and lie on the ground as dead men. Soldiers on a secret, nighttime operation would likely deploy in a rather tight formation. When they encountered the disciples, and Jesus so quickly and easily admitted being the one whom they sought, the guys in the front of the formation may have staggered backward, possibly knocking over some of the soldiers behind Him, with a falling dominoes effect. Hence, a good number ended up on the ground. Moreover, Jesus had an incredible reputation and the soldiers likely knew of it. A sudden, up-close, nighttime encounter with such a personality could easily trigger some trepidation, even among soldiers. To my knowledge, the Bible does not indicate whether some or all of the soldiers fell to the ground, or why. Should we simply fill in the blank?Saul on the ground issue: The Bible includes no clear reference to Saul being physically ‘knocked off’ of his donkey to the ground. It clearly says “he fell to the ground”.
Response: Even Saul’s/Paul’s own accounts of his experience reference him as having ‘fallen to the ground’. (Acts 22:7 and 26:14) Following in a few of his steps, I visited Damascus, including the ‘Street called Straight’ (Acts 9:11), and have even ridden on a donkey while crossing the rugged passageway to Petra in Jordan. While donkeys are sure-footed beasts, even on rocky ground, it takes all you have to hold on and ride their (very uncomfortable) bony spines. Being blinded by a very bright light would likely cause any experienced rider to fall off a donkey, but this does not necessarily mean the power of the light ‘knocked him off’, per se.Conclusion: The religious practice of having hands laid on people, and them falling to the ground, or being conveniently caught by ushers prepared with sheets (to cover up ladies in dresses) has no Biblical basis from my study of Scripture. The concept and practice of people being both ‘marked in the spiritual realm for either protection or destruction’ is clearly supported by Scripture, including in The Book of Revelation. Yes, the power of God is totally unlimited. He can do anything. When He is alleged to be doing things that are apparently contradictory to His Word, we should have reason to … pause and ponder. It is much safer to embrace what Scripture says, rather than embrace the traditions of man, and our traditional mis-interpretations of The Word.
See:
--"What Does It Mean to be Slain in the Spirit” (https://carm.org/questions/about-church/what-does-it-mean-be-slain-spirit)
--“Is Being Slain in the Spirit Biblical?” (http://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-slain.htm)
Pic source: http://www.voamonline.com/trend-1/007_bennyhinn/slain-2.jpg
