Are being “drunk in the Spirit” and “slain in the Spirit” biblical?
Categories: Pentecost, Emotions, Holy Spirit | January 22nd, 2008 | by Ken Horn | no commentsWhat does it mean to be “drunk in the Spirit” and is it biblical? Also, what scriptures support the idea of being “slain in the Spirit” and what is the purpose of it?
First answer: Acts 2:11-16 is the account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit can be mocked as drunkenness by observers. Some Pentecostal Christians have adopted the terminology of being drunk in the Spirit for those who are demonstrably experiencing an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Second answer: I wrote the following in a historical review of revival, but there is no exact technical instance in the scripture, except for people falling before the Lord or in His presence:
This is perhaps the most criticized of today’s manifestations. But virtually all historical revivals record this phenomenon.
Methodist minister John McGee relates the outbreak of the second Great Awakening in Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1800: “I … was near falling, the power of God was strong upon me …. Losing sight of fear of man, I went through the house shouting and exhorting with all possible ecstasy and energy, and the floor was soon covered with the slain.”
James Finley “saw at least 500 swept down in a moment.”
High emotions, falling, crying out, tears, even shaking, all occurred in revivals before a modern Pentecostal ever appeared. People who “fell under the power of God” included Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Anglicans, and others. In the early days of the Salvation Army (mid-1800s), in the meetings of General William Booth, “persons were frequently stricken down…overwhelmed with a sense of the presence and power of God.”1
Jonathan Edwards’ own acceptance of such physical demonstrations was no doubt influenced by the fact his wife Sarah “did, indeed, hop when under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and she would swoon away for hours together, enjoying, she claimed, the presence of God.”2
1 James Gilchrist Lawson, Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians: Warner Press, 1911, p. 257.
2 Jonathan Edwards, Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New England, cited by Harold Fickett.
In 1910, William F.P. Burton attended a meeting at which he first witnessed speaking in other tongues; and although he was convinced it was from God, he was disturbed by people “falling to the ground, laughing, groaning, trembling, and seeing visions.” He said, “A little study of the Scripture removed my misgivings about such manifestations.”
An older saint gave him advice that resonates today: “We don’t encourage such manifestations, but we are not at all surprised when they do occasionally occur. We have learned the lesson which Michal learned so dearly, that it does not do to belittle those who are carried away with the joy of the Lord.” (See 2 Samuel 6:16-23.)3
3 Colin C. Whittaker, Seven Pentecostal Pioneers: Gospel Publishing House, 1983, p.156.
Ken Horn
