"Slain in the Spirit" - Biblical Summary

1. We have rejected the teachings of the Pentecostal church for several reasons - including its unscriptural practice of "Slain-in-the-Spirit" phenomena.  Even if the practice were neutral, some argument could be made for tolerating it (which I did for most of my life).  But it is not neutral.  We believe it is satanic.  Some people are actually overcome by devils; others just fake it.  None are 'slain' by the Holy Ghost. Obviously, we cannot condense years of study into a single article, but here are some points to consider.

a. Nowhere in the bible does anyone lay hands on another in prayer which results in that person falling backwards into the arms of a waiting "catcher";

b. On the occasions in the bible where people do fall backward, they do so as a result of God's judgment falling on them, and/or because of their UNBELIEF;

c. Eli fell backward and died under the judgment of God for not disciplining his rebellious sons (I Sam 4:18)

d. The sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. (Is 1:4)

e. The "drunkards" (Rodney Howard-Browne, the "Holy Ghost Bartender", and all who are "drunk in the Spirit") fall backward, and are broken, and snared, and taken. (Is 28:13)

f. The enemies of Jesus who came to arrest him went backward, and fell to the ground when he said "I am he". (John 18:6)

g. Ananias and Sapphira were 'slain-in-the-spirit' by the Holy Ghost; but their example (and experience) is not one that we should seek to emulate; (Acts 5:5,10)

h. On every occasion in the bible where GODLY people fall to the ground in response to the presence of God, they fall on their faces in humble worship of him.

i. In the bible God always picks godly people up (He commands them to arise); he doesn't knock godly people down;

j. The manifestations associated with "Slain-in-the-spirit" phenomena and the fruit accompanying its practice (such as "holy laughter", "drunkenness", revelry, "birthing", etc, etc) are ungodly practices that the heathen regularly practice, particularly in eastern religions, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in North American 'churches'.

2. We realize how shocking these things may sound to Pentecostals with whom we have fellowshipped, but anyone who takes the time to honestly and biblically examine these doctrines in detail can come to no other conclusion.  (While in Pentecostal circles, we were only taught the Pentecostal "spin" of these stories.  We were not taught the truth.  So we clearly understand how our friends and family can live for years under such deception without even considering the errors, let alone recognizing their horrific dangers.)

3. The roots of modern day Pentecostalism are grounded in the wickedness and doctrinal perversions begun in Topeka, Kansas and Azuza street, Los Angeles just over 100 years ago.  We are convinced that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement is part of the "falling away" from the truth that will precede the coming of the Antichrist and the Second Coming of the Lord (II Thess 2:3).  The spirits to whom Pentecostals today submit themselves, and by whom they "experience" manifestations, are devils.  The Holy Spirit does not "gift" people with these ungodly things; nor does he produce the fruit of its deceptions in their lives. 

4. We have often experienced a recurring pattern wherein we learn a new truth from God's word and determine to obey it, and then shortly thereafter encounter an attack from Satan.  These attacks frequently come by way of persecution from our friends or family.

5. The bible commands us to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I John 2:15). We have no reasonable option but to mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom 16:17) 

6. God promises that: if we continue in his word, then we are his disciples indeed, and we shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free (John 8:31).  Everyone likes to quote the last part of that, as if it is a promise that will apply to everyone; but they don't bother to apply the first part – continue in his word.  God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb 11:6).  Likewise the bible commands us to study to shew ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Tim 2:15).

7. We have found that Baptist doctrine misses the purpose and practice of water baptism (the first part of our article on biblical baptism), and that Pentecostal/Charismatic doctrine misses the meaning of Baptism with the Holy Ghost and the future application of the Baptism with fire (the second part of the same article on baptism). 

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1 Thess 5:21) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (I John 4:1)