12a. Manifestations of the Spirit

The New testament is full of incidents where God intervenes in and directs the lives of men either by angels or speaking directly or through dreams, visions and trances to His children. There is always a purpose.

Acts 10:38
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.    NKJV
 

We are called to DO GOOD....and go about healing all who are oppressed by the devil.

 

There is much controversy in 'religious land' about the validity of many of the experiences which occur in parts of the church today....and whether they contribute to our walk and our purpose.

 

I would like to examine the following:-

 

1) Healings (Refer section19) and miracles

2) Tongues 'of men and of angels'

3) Laughter

4) Falling over in response to a touch from God

5) Drunkeness in the spirit

6) Angels, trances, teleportation, stones and gold dust (refer item 12b.)

 

General principle

1 Thess 5:20-21
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.     NKJV
 

There are two main tests which God’s word gives to confirm that something is a manifestation from Him. The first is called discerning of spirits. This is a spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:10) which Paul used with the slave girl in Acts 16:16-18 and Peter with Simon the magician in Acts 8:20-23. John however gives the church a simple form of this test.

1 John 4:1-3

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.    NKJV

 

When this test is applied to situations I have seen and experienced such as ‘falling under the touch of God’, I have only ever found that it IS done in the name of Jesus …as the risen and glorified Son of God. Have you personally experienced otherwise?

 

The second test is to examine the fruits of the situation...and the fruits in the lives of the people promoting it. If God is involved there will be more than just a happy ‘feeling’.

 

Matt 7:15-19

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.  16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?  17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.     NKJV

 

Satan’s purpose is NOT to heal or do good….

John 10:10

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.     NKJV

 

Paul in 1 Corinthians 14 describes the purpose of the manifestations or gifts of the Spirit as being to edify exhort and comfort the church. 

In my experience people I have only ever encountered people who are passionately pursuing relationship with Jesus.

 

1. HEALINGS AND MIRACLES 

 

Healing….does God want ALL christians healed today under the New Covenant? This has been dealt with as a separate section under iten 19)

Most today still believe God 'can' heal....they just doubt His willingness to do it.

 

Jesus was a little more blunt...He said I WILL...but added ...according to YOUR FAITH be it done unto you.

 

The problem is not that our loving God is unwilling, it is that we have not examined the scriptures which give us the FAITH that it is His will and the FAITH to claim His promises.

In summary

 

Luke 10:1-9

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ………  9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.

(Jesus did not say..."ask God if the sickness is His will....or if the person has sin which he needs to repent of before he can be healed")

 

John 14:12-14

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

(If we believe then it is a promise that God will do miracles and heal people thru us)

 

Mark 16:15-18

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 

(Note …not might…WILL) (If we are not healing….are we preaching the ‘gospel’)

 

Mark 11:24

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them…..(you were healed!)

"Whatever" most certainly includes healing from any and every sickness!

 

John 16:23-24

23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 

"Whatever" most certainly includes healing from any and every sickness!

   

(The first time I ever prayed for some one to be healed was when a preacher said that those who needed a healing should stand up... and that the person behind them should stand up and pray for them. I squinted and saw a woman standing in front of me and said to God... "you will have to drag me up if you want me to pray" Almost immediately the man next to me grabbed my arm and dragged me up saying 'God says you must pray for this woman'. All I could mutter was "God you will have to do this because if it is dependant on me she won't get anything"

The lady was healed of crippling back pain caused by a degenerative condition of the spine.

 

 

2. TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS

 

Speaking in Tongues was the recognized response to the infilling of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-7

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.    NKJV

 

Tongues was a tool to reach the lost

 

Acts 2:11

….we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."    NKJV

 

What was spoken glorified God….(please note that it was not satanic incantations)

 

Acts 2:15-18

For these are not drunk, as you suppose,

(They must have been behaving strangely for Peter to make this comment)

 

since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.      NKJV

 

The response to the spirit can also be a quite faith change and the beginning of a new life which we walk in and dreams and visions and His transforming presence. The SPIRIT determines our response.

Clearly prophecy, visions and dreams are a response to the Spirit being poured out.....and also noting that visions and dreams are for personal instruction...and not purely evangelistic

 

There was clearly a 'visible sign'

Acts 8:16-19
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."    NKJV  

 

There was a visible sign...the people responded in some way...we are not told what it was ....BUT bear in mind that the apostles expected it ...and the sound of people on the day of Pentecost all excitedly speaking foreign UNKNOWN languages was the standard....BUT this time there was no audience to be touched. So there would have been NO need for it to be specific languages

 

Acts 10:43-46
whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

44 The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.   NKJV

Note...there is a distinction here between speaking in tongues....and magnifying God   (Note critics…'they magnified GOD'…not satan)

Acts 10:47
who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?   NKJV

Peter states conclusively that speaking in tongues IS a sign of receiving the Spirit....BUT there is NO statement that not speaking in tongues is a sign of not receiving…but there was almost always a ‘sign’

 

BUT there was another clear purpose

 

Most of the New Testament teaching about tongues comes in the epistle of 1 Corinthians

 

Note that these Christians were obviously wild and exuberant in the exercise of gifts...perhaps like some meetings I have attended. BUT Paul never says this is 'of the devil', or worshipping Molech...or any such other allegation. (Ask yourself why people would say this)

 

Paul’s teaching focuses not on saying "don't"....but do it 'decently and in order'. Please note that Paul refers to them as ‘brothers’…and not heathen.

 

but a few other scriptures apply also

 

Rom 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.   NKJV

This is what I often experience when I would describe myself as speechless....not knowing what to say...my first response is to pray in tongues...and sometimes it is a babble.....it could be mixed with joy.....or sadness and tears. I put my hands up in surrender to His sovereignity is maybe the best way I can describe it…and find peace and direction in His presence.

 

1 Cor 12:6-11
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.    NKJV

There is tongues which are for prophecy...and interpretation which is undisputed. BUT note that the purpose of these gifts is for the profit or edification of ALL

 

1 Cor 12:27-31

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues ? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.    NKJV

Now we have a new extension...'varieties' of tongues. It could be argued that this all refers to known languages ...but it could also legitimately include 'known and unknown tongues'…ie known and unknown languages

 

1 Cor 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.   NKJV 

Paul confirms this intent by adding  ..'tongues of angels'…this is clearly not a known tongue!

 

1 Cor 14:2
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.     NKJV

The theme of 'mystery tongues' is continued....this is clearly NOT referring to a known language…and YES it is addressed to God…not the devil as alleged by some

 

1 Cor 14:4
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.     NKJV

This is again repeated...ie the purpose is SELF edification.....not edifying others. This is my personal experience too. Praying in tongues is for ME. It helps me to move out of the realm of the self...and into the realm of God. It ushers me into the place where I receive visions......and direction.

 

1 Cor 14:5
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.    NKJV

Paul is saying that he wishes that ALL spoke in this kind of tongue...UNKNOWN personal tongues....BUT there is a higher purpose which is to minister to others.

 

I have received powerful prophetic words....God gave me a vision which I did not understand. About a month later a pastor from a large church who I had never known called me out at from among a 100 people at a men’s prayer breakfast....and gave me a prophecy.....and then said “this picture will mean something to you” as he described the vision. Now this was for me ....but it rocked my world that he could have known that picture.

 

Prophecy...and tongues interpreted blesses others...tongues (personal and un-interpreted) blesses our spirits

 

1 Cor 14:9-12
9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. NKJV

It is better to give blessing to others when you are in church gatherings ..than to bless yourself. However, in some churches you might NOT be permitted to give prophecies...only select approved people. So then pray in tongues...because when you are edified you are able to bless others. (ie If they have a need and I don’t feel like praying for them because I have not been seeking the Lord and walking with Him...I am robbing others)

 

1 Cor 14:13-14

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.       NKJV

This clearly speaks about an unknown language as our ‘spirit praying'...or where it is interpreted that your understanding is involved

 

1 Cor 14:15-17
15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.

Praying with the understanding includes praying in tongues which are interpreted...praying in the Spirit is tongues NOT interpreted…the context of Paul’s teaching above does NOT permit any other interpretation

 

I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Ditto above comments ....I have been in places where the harmonies of heaven have lead to people coming to know the Lord. People have said it was like being in heaven, but sadly not for many years. Many musicians today seem unable to let the spirit lead and prefer to dominate.

 

16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.   NKJV

again the distinction is made ...interpretation...or known languages edifies others....tongues unknown is for self edification.

 

1 Cor 14:18-19

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. NKJV

In the context of this discussion Paul makes the statement.....This means he is speaking about un-interpreted tongues or those of angels…those NOT in the church … which he speaks 'more than you all'

 

1 Cor 14:26-28

26 Order in Church Meetings

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.      NKJV

The context here is tongues for edification …..ie in church...and translated

 

1 Cor 14:28-29
8 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.    NKJV

 

that which is not interpreted is for communication between man and God. This is again clearly not speaking of a known or interpreted tongue…(Critics ..please note that he is speaking to himself and to GOD …not satan)

 

If the apostle Paul, who wrote almost half the New Testament and almost single-handedly turned the known world upside down (Acts 17:6) prayed in unknown tongues ...surely this is a key....and one which should work for us too!

 

Does Paul ever say 'you MUST speak in unknown tongues' ...NO

 

BUT...."I would that you ALL spoke in tongues.....I do it more than you all" (clearly some didn't...this is our freedom) 

 

PS there is a widespread practice in many Charismatic/Pentecostal assemblies to pray in tongues aloud in prayer meetings. I can find no support for this...but then neither is there a prohibition…except that it does not edify others (BUT I have most certainly been blessed!)

 

PS there are great books about 'how to trim your sails to benefit from the wind'....hearing the voice of the Spirit...preparing your spirit to be sensitive, most recommend doing much prayer in tongues ...and most people I know who are powerfully used often pray for hours a day.

 

PS I personally want every tool that God has for me to progress...and if it makes me look a fool... so be it, I KNOW it helps me

 

Another scripture which confirms Paul’s teaching comes from Jude...the brother of the Lord

 

Jude 20

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.

 

(Praying being something we do in our prayer closet when we are not speaking to anyone other than God…So why not BUILD YOURSELF UP? )

 

 

3. LAUGHTER

 

Laughter is an audible expression of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy. It may ensue from jokes, tickling or other stimuli. It is in most cases a very pleasant sensation. (Wikipedia)

God…who made us in His image…gave us laughter

Robert R. Provine indicated "Laughter is a mechanism everyone has; laughter is part of universal human vocabulary. There are thousands of languages, hundreds of thousands of dialects, but everyone speaks laughter in pretty much the same way.” Everyone can laugh. Babies have the ability to laugh before they ever speak. Children who are born blind and deaf still retain the ability to laugh.”

However, there is almost no scriptural reference to God, or even Jesus when He was a man on earth, ever laughing….   except at the futility of the world which rejects Him

Ps 2:2-5

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 

3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us."

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The LORD shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,     NKJV 

 

Joy however (referred to 171 times) is the lot of the righteous…the result of experiencing salvation….it is a gift from God…and a fruit of the Spirit

 

Luke 6:21

Blessed are you who weep now,

For you shall laugh.    NKJV

 

What is often overlooked in 'religious land' is that the most usual expression of joy is LAUGHTER

 

John 15:9-12

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.  10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 

11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  NKJV

 

22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.     NKJV

 

John 16:23-24

23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.    NKJV

 

John 17:13

13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.   NKJV

 

Acts 2:28

28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'  

NKJV

 

The Holy Spirit IS associated with JOY. It would seem a logical conclusion that where there is no joy, there is NO HOLY SPIRIT!

 

Acts 13:52

52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.     NKJV

 

Rom 14:17

7 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.   NKJV

 

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. NKJV

 

Rom 15:13

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   NKJV 

 

1 Peter 1:7-9

 Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.    NKJV 

 

1 John 1:4

4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.    NKJV

 

Jude 24

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless

Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,   NKJV 

 

The expression of joy…or rejoicing is referred to in 199 scriptures

 

Luke 10:21-22

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."   NKJV

 

And we are COMMANDED to rejoice (in many places)

For the critics of the legitimate expression of JOY, ask yourself if you are not behaving like the elder brother in the parable of the ‘prodigal son’

And just incase you missed it …Jesus added this instruction!

 

Luke 15:31-32

31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"     NKJV

  

Prov 17:22

22 A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.    NKJV

 

What was Jesus like?….…He was called a ‘glutton and a winebibber and a friend of sinners’….

I believe HE be more welcome and at home at a party than in most ‘churches’!

 

We have one example of Jesus at a party…he made 120-180 GALLONS of fine wine to ENABLE the celebrations to continue!

God actually COMMANDED his people to spend their TITHES on parties and celebrations…ie feasts …with wine and strong drink!

 

When Jesus instituted the ‘Lords supper’ he instituted the ONLY N/T feast

 

Jude 12

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves.     NKJV

 

I have hardly ever seen a ‘Lords Supper’ which is truly a shared meal and a celebration……most are ‘somber’

  

AND what about 'being glad' (91 refs)  and 'gladness' (48 refs).....maybe it would be OK to crack a smile??

 

Ps 21:6

You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.        NKJV

 

Does this not support joyful laughter as an appropriate response to God’s presence?

 

The religious feasts were supposed to be a time when God’s people JOYFULLY celebrated HIS Goodness!

 

So what was the objection to laughter in church again?

 

 

4. FALLING OVER IN RESPONSE TO A TOUCH FROM GOD....and DRUNKEN-NESS in the SPIRIT

   

I have seen people touched after falling down…..this many times is associated with healings which the bible clearly defines as the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have also seen people transformed when they received direct ministry from God, healing serious past wounds and setting them free from demonic control. (Mat 12:25-28) Is there any reason to question that this is anything other than ‘God at work’?

Does God have to knock you down to heal you? NO….but He most certainly can ‘knock you down’ to get your attention….and minister to you! The clearest New Testament illustration is Saul’s encounter with Jesus.

 

Acts 9:3-8

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 

5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"

Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"

Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one.   NKJV

 

Now it is agreed that no man ‘laid hands’ on Paul. BUT if God is able to minister in this way to achieve His goals without man…on a man like Saul…surely we can accept that He can minister through people like his ‘ministers of the Spirit’ (2 Cor 3:6) to people who want to receive ministry for their needs?

 

Mark 16:17-18

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."    NKJV

 

James 5:14-15

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.   NKJV  

 

Now I would like you to see that there is no prohibition on people falling as a result of an encounter with God….be it voluntary…or involuntary. This happened to people in the bible who were saved…and unsaved….in the Old Testament…and the New.

 

1 Kings 8:10-11

10 As the priests came out of the inner sanctuary, a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. 11 The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple.     NLT

 

There is NO requirement to fall…..BUT the scriptures certainly do not even imply that anyone who falls is influenced by Satan either.

 

Matt 28:2-4

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.      NKJV

 

Rev 1:16-17

His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.    NKJV

 

John 18:4-6

"Whom are you seeking?" 

5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth."

Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.

 

Others examples of people being put to sleep by God…or having trances include:-

 

Adam – Gen 2:21 (yes…most probably on his back)

Abram – Gen 15:12-13 (yes…most probably on his back)

Joshua – Joshua 5:13-15

Saul – 1 Samuel 26:12 (yes…most probably on his back)

Daniel – Daniel 10:4-10

Peter – Acts 10:9-11

Paul – 2 Cor 2-4, 7

  

My simple approach is that if God chooses to minister to me in that way I AM OPEN.

 

People have questioned the scriptural support for what is wrongly called ‘slain in the Spirit’….and other manifestations. The real ‘slain in the Spirit’ is what happened to Ananias and Saphira …..and also as Paul alludes to in 1 Cor 5:5.

The phenomena today is better described ‘falling under the touch of God’. It is without doubt that many could be falling who are not touched by God (or at least with no apparent fruit of God’s touch)….and that many fall because they are expected to…..or are plainly pushed over by man. I have personally experienced a heavy shove of man purporting to be the touch of God. However I have also experienced a gentle touch which caused me to be thrown backwards…and a great healing with it. So in order not the ‘throw the baby out with the bath water’ let us be open to what God want to do.

The experience of ‘falling under the touch of God’ is often associated with trances…or other direct ministry from the Spirit of God to the recipient. This includes physical healing or inner healing as God ministers His love to people. It can also include direct prophetic words from God for that person….or visions and dreams. 

 

 

Drunk in the Spirit 

 

While there are no scriptural requirements to be ‘drunk in the Spirit’. I have experienced a sensation similar to this. I was stressing out about something and after a group of friends prayed for me for a while, I literally could not walk for almost an hour.  The drunkenness was an overwhelming sense of a presence of God…..and His love and acceptance of me....peace and comfort!.

“Lord let me ever live in the sense of your presence and love.”

 

Song 2:4

4 He brought me to the banqueting house, (Heb… house of wine)

And his banner over me was love.    NKJV

 

Can the Spirit cause drunkenness?

 

Isa 29:9-10

They are drunk, but not with wine;

They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.

10 For the LORD has poured out on you

The spirit of deep sleep,…… NKJV

 

Luke 5:38-39

38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.  39 And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'    NKJV

 

Acts 2:15-17

15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;   NKJV

 

Eph 5:18-20

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,       NKJV

The sense of the Spirits abiding presence is provided as an alternative to alcohol

 

Prov 9:5-6

5 "Come, eat of my bread

And drink of the wine I have mixed.  (mixed to be strong and with aphrodisiac and sedatives)

6 Forsake foolishness and live,

And go in the way of understanding.     NKJV

 

God meant us to be full of joy….and sometimes a dose of His Spirit will take us from a place of stress and worry….to a place of peace!

  

Personal experiences

 

I am one of those strange people who have experienced….and live for …every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. This can be audible…whispered to your spirit…or in dreams. It can be by a word from the scriptures ‘jumping out at you’……or from a message where all you remember is one phrase.

 

I believe that if you don’t believe…you probably won’t seek…and are very unlikely to experience either the voice ….or the loving touch of the Father. I live for intimacy with my Lord.

 

I have been hit by what felt like a missile which threw me backwards and in the seconds …..or minutes I spent on the ground know conclusively that I ENCOUNTERED the touch of God…commencing with a word of knowledge….and confirmed by a healing. I passionately desire to have God minister that same touch through me to anyone who seeks it.

 

I have had visions and trances ….which have been miraculously confirmed by prophetic words from people I have never met.

I have had dreams where God has directed me to witness to specific people....confirmed by amazing circumstances.

 

Very few ministers of the Spirit (2 Cor 3:6) who pray for the sick and see healings do not have some manifestations such as ‘falling under the touch of God’. Those who don’t have such manifestations are usually those who are NOT laying hands on people….. OR doing so only in ‘hope’ and not faith.

 

I would conclude that much of the purported concern and unholy fervor against such manifestations is grounded in jealousy and/or in ignorance of God and the ways of the Spirit. There is also sufficient scriptural support to confirm that God does use this method of ministering to people…..and very little legitimate scriptural reason to be concerned about such a ‘manifestation’.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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