The expression “slain in the Spirit” is found in certain charismatic/pentecostal circles of the Christian faith. It means that someone is so physically overcome by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit that they are physically knocked over and fall down.
The expression is not found anywhere in the Bible. Nor do I find an exact one-to-one biblical experience that mirrors what people mean by being “slain in the Spirit.”
Saying that, there are biblical encounters that could seem in the ballpark to this:
- 1 Sam. 19:18-24 – Saul and his men are seeking to kill David (who is hiding among Samuel and the prophets). But the men (and later Saul himself) come under the Spirit’s power so that they prophesy and (at least Saul), “stripped off his garments, and…lay naked all that day and all that night,” (v. 24). We don’t know if there was a direct falling down upon contact with the Spirit, but there was a clear reaction where they weren’t even looking for one.
- People fall prostrate upon seeing God (Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 10:9; Acts 9:4; Rev. 1:17)
- “When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:5) – this was not under the power of the Spirit, but was related to a response to Jesus’ awe-filled claim.
- At Pentecost, the men are confused for being drunk upon receiving the gift of tongues (Acts 2:13). It’s possible this reference is 100% related to the tongues sounding like gibberish. But it’s also possible that there were ecstatic expressions accompanying the tongues.
- In Jeremiah 23:9, Jeremiah is describing an experience of being so overcome by God’s prophetic word that he is like a heart-broken, trembling, drunk man.
- Peter, while praying, “fell into a trance,” (Acts 10:10), and Paul likewise, “fell into a trance,” while praying (Acts 22:17).
- 2 Chron 5:13-14 shows the cloud of God’s presence so thick in the temple that, “the priests could not perform their service.”
- After Solomon prayed, heavenly fire came down and the glory of the Lord so filled the temple that the priests could not enter. This prompted the people to kneel with their faces to the ground and worship (2 Chron. 7:1-3).
You’ll notice that in no place do they seek an experience of falling down under God’s presence (being “slain with the Holy Spirit”). They actually seek the Lord (minus the sovereign work of God where Saul and his men sought to kill David). And while seeking the Lord, God overcame them with his power. And even that, I believe, they were given in a certain measure.
I think much of Acts 2:4 when considering how the Spirit interacts with humans: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
God fills and enables. We speak.
As a mentor told me once, when people watch a football game and your team scores a touchdown, everyone’s excited. But some choose to display that excitement differently. I believe a lot of that happens today when the Spirit comes upon people in a powerful way. He is not necessarily forcing the behavior, but different people act different ways–some more sensational than others. Don’t get me wrong, if God gave a fuller measure of the Spirit to any of us, we wouldn’t be able to stand in this mortal body. And I do think that happens as well.
Finally, I also think there are counterfeit gifts of God (from Satan or demons — see the woman fortune-teller prophesying out of a demon in Acts 16, for instance). And there are things that are sheer human inventions–whether they realize they are manufacturing it or not is sometimes up for debate.
In all this, let’s be sober-minded (as we are commanded – 1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Tim. 4:5) and go back to Scripture’s ways. Seek the Lord humbly. Truly be open and ask for His Spirit and gifts of His Spirit — even if it seems strange or overwhelming (1 Cor. 14). While also being content with whatever He decides to give–knowing that all of it is meant for the upbuilding of His cherished bride (1 Cor. 12-14).
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