Slain In The Spirit

Is it Scriptural, or is it something else?

Introduction:

Being “slain in the Spirit” is an ever present phenomenon in many Pentecostal/Charismatic Evangelistic or Healing services. The Scriptures tell us that “Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). This is something that I whole heartedly believe to be true about our Lord.

When I first became a Christian I couldn’t put my Bible down. I would read and read and read the New Testament and by the time I got to the book of Acts I knew that there was a lot of “neat stuff” in there about the five fold ministry and the Churches role in it all.

The Church that I first went to was a Pentecostal Church but nothing much ever happened there that reflected the great power I had read about in the Church of Acts. I remember asking one of the older members of that Church shortly after reading about all the exciting things that happened in the Church in Acts, “So went are we going to do the stuff I read about in Acts?” He looked at me like I had two heads. I thought it was a valid question to ask especially by a new convert to Christ.

I began to look for a Church that believed in doing “the stuff” that I had read about in the Bible. The sick being healed, the lame made whole, the blind given sight and so on. Some of what I saw going on in other Churches was of God, but a lot of what I saw was not of God at all. It was more of a Christian “dog and pony show.”

Yes I have seen a blind person receive their sight, and, a young girl’s cancer healed…Praise God for His mercy. But I have also seen a lot of abuses done in Jesus name. So that is why I have had reservations over some of what has been presented to me as coming from God especially “the slain in the Spirit movement”.

Being slain in the Spirit is one of the doctrines of modern Pentecostalism that I personally have a lot of trouble with. My first experience with this was at a popular Christian Business Men’s meeting only about a month after I received Christ. One of the men chairing the meeting asked those in attendance to “come forward to receive a special touch from the Lord”. We all were asked to lined up like soldiers and he went down the line putting his hand on each mans forehead and literally pushed everyone backwards to the ground. As he came to me I thought to myself this can’t be of the Lord and leaned into him so that he couldn’t push me to the ground. I went home that day and felt that I needed to read about this in the Bible to confirm it being something from God. But to my surprise I never could find one single Scripture to put my mind at ease. Only more questions arose in my mind not answers.

So what does a Bible believing born again Spirit filled tongue talk’ in (Pentecostal) guy like me do about this whole slain in the Spirit thing? I think we simply need to “Let God be found true even if every man on earth is found to be a liar”. In other words what does God’s Word tell us about “Being slain in the Spirit” as the final authority on the whole matter?

Is there any real Scriptural support for this phenomenon?

What does the Bible say about people falling backwards?

Genesis 49:16-17

“Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel”.

“Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward”.

Dan was one of the tribes that were used as a classic example of man under the judgment of the Living God of Israel. He goes forth as an adversary that others may “fall backwards” under that same judgment. Dan was infamous for becoming easily lead into idolatry (Judges 18:30-31). Dan is seen as a serpent that bites heels of horses that causes the rider to “fall backwards”. This is a spiritual snapshot which signifies his snake like bite is to make the strong people “fall backward or fall into judgment”. In fact the name Dan means “Judge” it comes from the Hebrew root word dawn or Judge. Dan’s mother Rachel said that she named him Dan because God had judged her. Dan being referred to as a “serpent biting at the heels to make one fall backwards”, is God’s inspired truth about the evil spirit and God’s judgment. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden, in Genesis 3 we can see this symbolism of that Spirit Satan, as the serpent.

Genesis 3:15

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”.

Dan is equated with this serpent, Satan. He lies by the side of the road attempting to bite the heels of the strong (horsemen are a symbol of strength in the Bible) people that the serpents bite causes them to “fall backwards”. Dan is a vessel of judgment. The tribe of Dan brought a false message (gospel) and idolatry to the Nation of Israel. God cut off Dan and there is no mention of them in the census of Revelation 7, of the 12,000 sealed of “all” the tribes of Israel. By Dan’s wickedness, he is used to judge Israel. Much like God prophesies that he will send deceivers in (2Thessalonians 2:9-12) with lying signs and wonders to deceive the unfaithful ones in our Churches who will not receive the love of truth. It is illustrating God uses false teachers to judge His Church.

Likewise, this falling backwards of those whom Dan accosts, signifies they have come under Judgment. In no way does the Scripture indicate that “falling backwards” signifies the anointing of the Holy Spirit, or a conferring of blessing by God. On the contrary, it signifies God’s Judgment, and an evil upon man.

1 Samuel 4:18

“And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years”.

Here is a perfect example of God’s Judgment falling upon an individual under Judgment. This falling backward is in the context of the judgment that God sent upon Israel’s people for their rebellion. Israel had just returned from liberating the Ark of the Covenant from the heathen Philistines. God had foretold of His judgment upon Israel, and now He was bringing it to pass. To believe that any of the examples from the Scriptures of falling backward can be construed or used as proof that it illustrates a “Blessing” or an “Anointing”, is beyond all rational thought. This man fell backward, broke his neck, and died because the Ark of God was taken in judgment. The Church should review the passages which actually speak of falling backward that can be easily found in most study Bibles.

Isaiah 28:13

“But the word of the LORD was unto them upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.”

The Lord is speaking here of rebellious Israel, that there would not hear His Word of truth, and He declares that they would be broken, caught in their own snare or web, to be trapped. And He uses the terminology of His judgment as them falling backward. We quickly see that all roads lead to the same conclusion. And that conclusion is that the Biblical references of “falling backward” do not ever signify the anointing of the Spirit of God, but signifies the wrath of God in His judgment upon rebellious man.

Likewise, when Judas betrayed Christ Jesus, and the soldiers came to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked them who it was they sought, and their reply was Jesus of Nazareth.

John 18:6

“As soon then as he had said unto them, I Am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.”

Note that the word ‘he’ is not actually in the original manuscript, it was placed there by translators in an attempt to make the sentence flow smoothly. Jesus literally says, I AM, announcing He was the Great I AM (Exodus 3:13-14), the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As soon as Christ said I AM, these wicked men who came to the Garden to accused God of breaking His law fell backward at the sound of His Glorious name “I AM”. Jesus did this not to stop them from arresting Him, but to show in a real way His authority.

This is not the picture that many of my Pentecostal brothers and sisters want to paint of those who fall down backward, but this is the exact picture that God paints. No one caught these men who fell backward at Jesus voice declaring that He is the Great I AM, no one claims to see any alleged anointing of them by the Spirit, and there is no claim that this is God’s blessings upon these men. That’s because falling backward is always a sign from God of His judgment in every Scripture were this phenomenon occurs, but is never conveyed as a “BLESSING”. And in an ironic twist, this verse John 18:6 is one which many of my brethren use in an attempt to prove their claims of Biblical precedence for their belief in falling backward. On the contrary, it illustrates just the opposite. That it signifies those who come under judgment of the Great I AM, and not those who are blessed of God.

These are the passages which speak of “falling backward” in Scripture, and not one of them gives one thin shred of support to such doctrines as Christians being slain in the Spirit or Holy laughter, Soaking in the Spirit, Lion growling, Chicken clucking, Dog barking, or any other just plain weird act being done in Jesus name. I would have loved to have read that when the soldier all came to get Jesus in the Garden that He slew them all in the Spirit and they just laid there barking and laughing clucking like chickens. Then I would have a real case for all this nonsense. If we are going to go by the scriptural record of what men falling backward entails, then we have clear validation that it involves those under Judgment of God. It is not something which any Christian ever wants to be associated with.

Passages used to support Falling Down backwards

Supporters of this practice allege there is indeed Scriptural warrant, but does this claim hold up under close Biblical examination? There are no explicit Biblical references, but there are some passages which some Christians say “imply” the act of falling down backward or being slain in the Spirit. The passages which they most often use as supporting their beliefs are:

Genesis 15:12 and 17:3, Numbers 22:30 and 24:4, Joshua 5:14, Ezekiel 1:28, Matthew 17:5-6, Revelation 7:11 and 11:16, and Acts 9:3-4.

I want to take a few minutes to review these Scriptures in their proper context, and without prejudice.

Genesis 15:12

“And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.”

When we look at this passage of Scripture it simply says that Abram had a “deep sleep fall upon him.” It doesn’t lead us to believe that he was slain in the Spirit unless we real play stretch the Bible with this verse. It doesn’t lead us to conclude that he fainted or passed out. We just need to let the Scripture speak for itself, he fell into a deep sleep that’s it nothing more there is no slain in the Spirit here.

Numbers 22:27

“And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.”

In the original Hebrew the word fell is (rabats), this word translation means to crouch or to lie down. In no instance does it mean an involuntary falling backward. To use this passage as support for such events is taking liberties above and beyond what can “honestly” be justified. The donkey simply crouched down or lay down under Balaam because of what she saw. She did not fall backward, nor is there anything here that would allow this event to be used to support such actions in the Church. It’s ridiculous to say this proves we can fall down backward in the Church.

Genesis 17:3

“And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,”

Joshua 5:14

“And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?”

Ezekiel 1:28

“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”

Here we have three people going down to the ground in reverence for God. This was a voluntary act of obeisance or respect in total submission not being knocked down by the Spirit or being put to sleep. In the application of Hebrew wording there is a more detailed or specific meaning upon the use of certain words. In this case the word (naphal) would need to be inserted to give the inference of falling backward. Through out the Scriptures we see that when an individual came into the presence of God’s Spirit they dropped to their knees or go down on their face in reverence to the Living God of Israel. They never fall backward in reverence. Search as you will but you won’t find one single solitary case of anyone falling backward under the power of God as a sign of “Blessing”. Scripture tells us that they fell on their faces, which is a synonym for going down to their knees to kneel and bow in fear and reverence to the All Mighty God of Israel. Reading ones own views into the Scriptures are a formula for disaster and can open one up to receive the doctrines of demons.

Matthew 17:5-6

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

“And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.”

Luke 17:16

“And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.”

Here again, just what was in the Old Testament passages is happening in the New Testament they are both bearing witness to the truth about what happened to anyone who came into God’s presence. The Apostles ALL fell on their faces in fear and reverence. They never fell backward in judgment.

Revelation 7:11

“And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God,”

Revelation 11:16

“And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God,”

To suggest that these verses out of the Book of Revelation depict someone being slain in the Spirit is an insult to the Spirit Himself and would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious a false doctrine. These verses from Revelation actually prove the opposite. Falling on ones face before God is a voluntary act of total submission in reverence to God. It is NOT the anointing of the Spirit. There is no Scriptural backing for the falling backward as a blessing for anyone found in the Bible anywhere.

Acts 9:3-4

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

When we look at the Middle East today and the war raging there, it is not uncommon to see a soldier fall to his knees in surrender to his enemy. Some have even been pictured going down on their faces in a gesture of total surrender and submission and fear. We saw this in the Gulf war and in Afghanistan of late. So, how much more would it be that when Saul encountered a bright light and heard a voice coming from heaven that he would fall to his knees in fear? I don’t know anyone who would not do the same when confronted by the Living God of Israel. But this has nothing to do with being slain in the Spirit. Saul was coming in contact with Almighty God and was in terror for his life. There are many instances where a person has fallen to his knees or even to his face when coming into the presence of the Lord of all Creation in the Old Testament. A man falling to the ground in fear has nothing to do with being slain in the Spirit, but rather it has everything to do with his knowledge of his frailty before a great power, or that he is in the presence of the Almighty God of Israel, the Great “I AM”.

When we look at all of these Scriptures in context which are trying to use in an attempt to support their actions, we can only humbly conclude that not one single passage supports this unbiblical phenomenon. It is a case of one grasping at straws in order to try and rationalize ungodly actions. In none of the verses we have reviewed was there anyone “falling down backward” because of anything that happened during a worship service or Church gathering. In fact, there was no falling down PERIOD; there was a voluntary falling to their face in reverence and fear, that’s it. “Mary saw a vision, and fell to her knees in prayer.” For anyone to take from this statement that not only did Mary fall down backward, but that this gives us license to do this in the Church, is nothing short of ludicrous. These men in Scripture did not lose their senses. They were not jerking or twitching or laughing or growling like a lion or barking like a dog or clucking like a chicken. No, they were in fear and reverence and in an attitude of worship.

The only time a person has ever fallen backward after I spoke to them was a person that was demonically possessed. And I believe that the Lord was doing two things. First He was taking control of the person and judging the situation (the evil spirit inside the person). And secondly I believe He was letting me know that He was there with me to sustain me and protect me from the evil spirit in that person. After about two and a half hours of praying for that individual with another brother by my side the evil spirit(s) left the person. We both were in awe of what Jesus Christ had done and a fear of reverence fell upon us. There was no tap dancing only a sense of our own weakness outside of Christ to deal with a power that was so much greater than we were.

I love to pray for people, but I would never want to turn simple prayer into a three ringed circus where the show takes precedence over the message of salvation and our need to confront our sin. God doesn’t want us to check our brains at the door. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us God.

In Conclusion:

Many shall come in Jesus name claiming to be anointed of God and slaying many willing Christians, having them fall backwards under the power they weld. But ask yourself this question: “If this power is not coming from God then where is it coming from and even worse who is it coming from?” I have wrestled with this issue long and hard and am convinced that it is just one more sign that Jesus is coming soon. Paul warned young pastor Timothy that in the latter (end) times some would depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Look around you and you will quickly see that Paul’s words to Timothy need to be applied to our hearts today. In the end when all is said and done we are encouraged to STAND for Christ not fall backward for Him. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” I don’t want to hurt any of my brothers and sisters in Christ, or see them being hurt and led astray by what they think is real. As I said earlier I have wrestled with this whole thing for many years and it has troubled my spirit. Please pray about this issue and please pray for me. It is never easy confronting fellow believers whom you love in Christ, but I felt that I could not remain true to Christ and just ‘wink’ at what I have witnessed going on in His Church of late. As a famous man once said, “In order for evil to prosper righteous men need do nothing.