Answers | To Your Questions About the Bible, Theology and Christian Living

What 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

Is salvation once saved, forever saved, or can a once-saved person be lost?

The Security of the Believer

In view of the Biblical teaching that the security of the believer depends on a living relationship with Christ (John 15:6), in view of the Bible’s call to a life of holiness (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14); in view of the clear teaching that a man may have his part taken out of the Book of Life (Revelation 22:19); and in view of the fact that one who believes for a while can fall away (Luke 8:13); The General Council of the Assemblies of God disapproves of the unconditional security position which holds that it is impossible for a person once saved to be lost.

…

Four points need to be emphasized:

1. Salvation is available for every man (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16; Romans 10:11-13).

2. Salvation is received and kept by faith (Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 10:38; 1 Peter 1:5; Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:20, 21).

3. Continued sin will adversely affect the believer’s faith (1 John 1:8; 3:8; Romans 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 3:12-14; 12:1).

4. The believer’s salvation is forfeited by rejecting Christ (John 17:12; Hebrews 10:38; 1 Timothy 4:1; 5:12, 15; 1 John 5:16; 2 Peter 2:20; Hebrews 10:26, 27; 6:4-6).

From the Assemblies of God position paper “The Security of the Believer.” Read the entire paper here, on ag.org.

Doesn’t Jeremiah 10:3-4 forbid the use of a Christmas tree as a pagan practice?: “For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple” (NKJV).

On the surface, it sounds like that’s what this is saying. But one of the most common errors in Bible study is made on this passage… not reading the context. Simply reading the surrounding verses of a problem passage will usually solve the problem.

Jeremiah 10 has been taken out of context for years. It does not refer to a Christmas tree but to the making of an idol. Verse 5 says he can’t speak … that’s because he has a mouth that has been carved in wood. The Christmas tree has a much later … and valid … tradition for use by Christians in the season celebrating the birth of Christ.

Ken Horn

Both the dead and living believers will be caught up together to meet Jesus in the air at His appearing (1 Thessalonians 4:17). All without exception will then be brought before the judgment seat of Christ where each will receive “what is due him [or her] for the things done while in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV; see also Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

At the end of the Tribulation the Bible shows the believers following Jesus, coming from heaven, riding triumphantly on white horses, “and dressed in fine linen, white and clean” (Revelation 19:14). The fine linen identifies them as the Lamb’s bride (the Church) who are fully clothed with “the righteous acts of the saints” and have already taken part in the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Thus, they are ready to reign with Jesus during the Millennium.

Stanley M. Horton

What are the qualifications to be a pastor according to the Bible and with the Assemblies of God?

The Assemblies of God holds to the straightforward biblical requirements for ministers: “The qualifications for bishops, as set forth in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, are the norm for all ministers today.”

“In addition, the following groups of attributes are recommended for the ordained minister.”

Spiritual Attributes

The following spiritual attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: A devotional spirit; love (for God, the ministry, people, 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:11, 12; 1 John 3:16); faith (Romans 12:3-8; 2 Corinthians 3:5, 6; 5:18-20; Ephesians 3:7;4:11; Colossians 1:23-29; 1 Thessalonians 1:3) humility (Proverbs 15:33; Romans 12:3); convictions (Jude 3); dedication (total commitment to God’s will); a ministerial spirit (an aptitude to give service; to be solicitous over the well-being and growth of people spiritually, morally, socially, etc.); and faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:1,2 in stewardship of time, spiritual preparation, business matters, etc.).

Moral Attributes

The following moral attributes are essential to a most productive ministry: integrity (basic honesty and wholeness of character, spiritual honesty (Psalm 51:6), intellectual honesty, honesty in preaching, and in everyday dealings) and moral purity (Isaiah 52:11; Galatians 1:10; 2:11-14; 1 Timothy 6:11-14; 2 Timothy 1:7, 9).

Emotional Attributes

It is quite likely that more inefficiency and failure in the ministry are caused by emotional and personality deficiencies than by ill health, moral defection, and lack of training, education, or talent. Because of this it is most important that the preacher be very mature in self-understanding and healthy emotionally. If he has unresolved emotional problems, violent mood swings, personality conflicts, or fails under duress it will greatly affect his attitudes in the pulpit as well as determine his attitudes in all of his interpersonal relationships. At least the following seven emotional attributes of character are important to the minister: A sanctified temperament (Galatians 5:22, 23); a sense of proportion (balance of humor and seriousness); enthusiasm; realism; a sense of the beautiful (Philippians 4:8; Titus 1:15); sympathy (Romans 12:15; Hebrews 5:1); and patience (Romans 5:1-5; 2 Peter 1:5-8).

Intellectual Attributes

The following intellectual attributes are important for the minister: Studiousness; regimentation (reasonably well-organized); moderation (in views rather than radical extremes, 1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23; Philippians 4:5; Titus 1:8; 2 Peter 1:6); logic; imagination; power of concentration; memory (John 14:26); and wisdom (James 1:5).

Social Attributes

Among the social attributes which are essential to the minister are the following: Sociability, knowledge of human nature, lack of prejudice, a cooperative attitude, a conciliatory disposition, respect for authority, teachability, and loyalty (to family, church, the Movement, associates, and friends).

Practical Attributes

It is essential to a productive ministry that the minister develop his practical ability to perform the functions of the ministry with skill. It is important that ministers study Bible and theology in order to educate their heads, but is important that they study practical theology in order to educate their mouths and hands as well. The minister should cultivate the spiritual and practical abilities requisite to the functions of preaching/teaching, worship, administering the ordinances, pastoral care, and administration.

Read the full official Assemblies of God position here.

I don’t find anything in Scripture that condemns or condones cremation. I believe it is a matter of choice. It isn’t going to matter to the Lord whether you’ve been cremated or not when the resurrection comes. The power of the supernatural is going to take place and your body is going to come together. Cremation is really a decision to be made based upon the preference of the family.

Thomas E. Trask

From A Chat With Pastors: Funerals. See also “Death and Burial.”

What does 1 Corinthians 7:14 mean when it says an unbelieving husband is “sanctified” through a believing wife and the children are now “holy”?

The context refers to a situation where one partner in a marriage becomes a Christian and the other does not. Paul says the believing partner is not to initiate a divorce in such cases where the unbelieving partner chooses to stay in a loving relationship.

He explains further that continuing in this relationship “does not defile the believer. The believer’s faith in God and Jesus has a sanctifying influence over the relationship. In that sense the unbeliever is sanctified, or set apart from anything sinful in the relationship. If this were not so, the children born to the couple would be unclean, that is, ceremonially unclean and therefore unable to come into the presence of God. But the sanctifying influence of the Christian parent makes the children holy in the sense that they belong to the Lord and can be brought into His presence for His blessing. The Holy Spirit can make such a marriage situation into a powerful ministry” (Horton, Stanley M., I & II Corinthians, Springfield, Mo., Logion Press, 1999, p. 71).

This does not mean the unbelieving spouse is given salvation. The children also, upon reaching an age of accountability, still have to make their personal choices. But the blessings they enjoy because of the believing parent certainly could influence them (and the unbelieving partner as well) to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Stanley M. Horton

Will the Holy Spirit be here on the earth after Jesus raptures His church? Will the Holy Spirit be left on the earth during the Tribulation?

It is commonly held evangelical belief that the Holy Spirit will not remain on earth after the Rapture in the same sense that He is here now during the Church Age. This is based upon 2 Thessalonians 2:7: “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way” (NIV). The Holy Spirit, as the one who restrains evil on the earth (a concept known as common grace), seems to be the one referred to in this verse. (There are varying interpretations.)

The first response to this answer makes a good point. The Rapture de facto removes the true Church and it is in the sense of the Holy Spirit indwelling the Church that He will not be present. Of course, as God He continues to be omnipresent.

Ken Horn

Does the Assemblies of God accept more than one Bible translation?

Today it is safe to say that other translations besides the King James Version have found a well-deserved place in many Assemblies of God homes and churches. Some of these are the 1973 NIV, the New King James Version (NKJV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the Revised American Standard Bible (RASB). These, like the King James Version, are produced by committees of scholars. Of course, all versions have strengths and weaknesses. To simplify the choice of versions in curricular materials and headquarters publications, the Assemblies of God has officially approved two versions: the King James Version and the New International Version. Other versions are also quoted, but their use is always identified after the quotation.

From an official statement of the Assemblies of God. Read the complete text here.

The second coming of Jesus Christ has been preached as imminent for a long time. Why is it taking so long?

Where is this coming He promised? Everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. If that is what you think when you hear mention of Christ’s return to snatch away His people, be careful. Peter predicted last-day scoffers, following their own evil desires, would be saying just that (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Yet, with the many centuries since the promise was given (Acts 1:11), it is natural to wonder if such a supernatural intervention will actually take place.

Count on it. It is going to happen. The Bible is full of references to this glorious event, the blessed hope of every believer (Titus 2:13). However, don’t be misled by our human way of counting time. The average human lifetime is 70-80 years. But some life forms live fewer years than humans and some much longer. God’s lifetime is forever, without beginning or end. As Psalm 90:4 says, “A thousand years in [God’s] sight are like a day that has just gone by” (NIV). So it has been just “a couple of days” since the promise was given to first-century Christians.

But why might Christ delay His return even for another instant? Several reasons come to mind:

1. He is giving our generation a chance to repent and receive His salvation.

2. He is testing the strength of our faith and commitment.

3. He is giving the church opportunity to evangelize the lost.

4. His delay encourages us to work faithfully, as though death is yet in the future, but to be ready for His coming at any time.

God is not willing that any should perish or experience spiritual death. His delay is not slowness in fulfilling His promise (2 Peter 3:9). He is preparing His bride “to present her … as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).

Our natural minds tend to be concerned about the millions since the first century who have lived on earth without accepting Christ as their Savior. And we should have a burden for the lost of our day. But we should be even more concerned about becoming the holy and blameless bride of Christ without wrinkle or blemish. Christ tarries now so we may have opportunity to become that prepared and perfect bride.

As God’s children, our earthly lives will end in one of two ways: by death or via the Rapture. A faithful elderly Christian woman left detailed instructions for her funeral. But at the end of the note she wrote, “Prefer to go in the Rapture.”

Are you ready for either departure route?

Zenas J. Bicket