Evidence (objective) or
Experience (subjective)?
Merchants know that an experience is an extremely compelling component in
commercial advertising. The same is true in Christianity. I'll never forget
hearing Dr. George Gardner, previous pastor of Calvary Church in Grand
Rapids, Michigan make the following claim: "The man with an argument is
always at the mercy of the man with an experience." Never has this been more
true than in the Charismatic/Pentecostal movement with one of its most
popular doctrines: "slain in the Spirit."
What is “Slain In The Spirit”?
Supporters allege that this is the work of the Holy Spirit who suddenly
overwhelms often unsuspecting persons with His power and glory. This can be
so intense that the recipient- said to be under the anointing- is often cast
to the floor where he can lay motionless for extended periods, unable to
speak, move, or respond to anyone in this condition; or conversely, he can
begin to bob, beller, bark, flinch, flip, flop, or laugh hysterically at
nothing and for no reason.
Where is this found in the Scripture?
Regardless of how hard proponents try to twist verses to fit this, what's
happening in Charismatic circles just isn't Biblical. The fact is, when the
Holy Spirit comes into our lives, it is a wonderfully peaceful experience
accompanied by new desires to live for Christ and study the Word. As we
explore the Word we find many that were filled with the Spirit yet none who
acted unseemly including Jesus- the apostles, and the early believers. While
at Pentecost the 120 were able to speak in foreign languages not previously
known (aka tongues), not one of them fell to the ground reeling,
writhing, screeching, or in any way acting absurd. In fact, no one in the
entire NT ever did.
What about Saul in the book of Acts;
wasn't he slain in the Spirit?
No. Notwithstanding, if this is to be the mandate or pattern for those
seeking the experience, take careful note of all that accompanied Saul's
experience: other people, the voice of Jesus, a bright light, three days of
fasting and utter blindness, and the servant of God to lay hands on you to
receive your sight (Acts 9:1-18).
If this is not a Scriptural experience,
why are ministries growing that feature and promote being slain in the
spirit?
First off, I must hasten to mention that growth is not necessarily
indicative of God's blessing (ie, Islam, Mormons, etc). Human beings are
just naturally drawn to ministries reputed to perform signs and wonders
since they wrongly correlate that with a validation of the presence of God.
Interestingly, I have discovered that those who are considered the most
"anointed" often have the large, well-staffed ministries, a fleet of fancy
cars, ocean-front mansions, personal jets, and of course exorbitant salaries
they tout as God's blessing.
[i]
(please read 2
Peter 2:1-3 carefully noting the merchandise makers)
Why are you so concerned with exposing
what seems to be a harmless experience?
Because of its occult origin through Kundalini, or the “Shakti force" made
popular in the 1940s by occultist William Branham. When a Hindu devotee is
touched on the forehead by the Guru (spiritual master), they are generally
thrust into convulsions, where they fall to the floor often in ecstatic,
uncontrollable utterances and laughter. While they label this power "a
force," we know it to be what it really is: a demonic presence (Mark
9:17-22).
Who is William Branham and how does he
fit into slain in the spirit Kundalini-occult connection?
William Branham was a spiritualist "healer" who believed spirits could be
"imparted" from one person to another via laying on of hands. While he is often spoken of by word of faith teachers
in glowing terms as if he was a church father,
He was not. He was- if you will forgive my bluntness-
a heretical exclusionist
clairvoyant kook who was such a rabid anti-Trinitarian he actually labeled
it as a “demonic” teaching. God help those who follow him!
Branham was a self sanctioned maverick quoted as
saying that everyone involved in a denomination had taken the mark of the
beast.
He also regularly practiced occult spiritualism
including clairaudience,
divination (word of knowledge), and psychic mind reading. He maintained all
his life that he was Elijah the prophet reincarnated and those who wouldn’t
accept him as such he labeled as anti-Christ. He hated Israel, and he taught
the serpent seed doctrine that anti-Semitic scoundrels like Arnold Murray
pound the pulpit with today. Though not exhaustive,
his noteworthy heresies include: the divine equality of the pyramids, and
zodiac with Scripture; fathering the word-faith positive-confession doctrine
we find still taught by his past and present admirers and followers today;
the ongoing practice of necromancy
(Hinn uses this
also via documented spiritual encounters with Kathryn Kuhlman); and a lifetime of
instructional meetings with an angel he claimed had given him his healing
ministry.
This is the man that popularized the phenomenon known
as slain in the spirit that is practiced and coveted by Charismatics
and Pentecostals all around the world today.
Final
Word: Test the Spirits by the Word of God
My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected
knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy
children (Hosea 4:6).
Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
Charismatics often judge spirituality by the newest outward manifestation
even if it is unbiblical or at best extra-Biblical. Needless to say,
Scripture is not their friend in such cases. If we adopt their standard of
spirituality, then Jesus wasn't filled with the Spirit. Neither were any of
the apostles; only Branham-ized Charismatics are. I hope this helps
you see the absurdity of what they teach.
In Galatians 5:22-23
we have the real evidence of being filled with and controlled by
the Holy Spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance . . . (Galatians 5:22-23).
If
you hold up a Charismatic manifestation next to the nine-fold fruit just
mentioned, the answer to the questions Is this experience from God?
should become patently obvious.
[i] For a further discussion of these holy
hucksters, please order our tract: Last Days Liars, Hypocrites, and
Deceivers.
