Expert: Scott Talbot - 10/30/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have a situation which I need help with discerning. Once in a while I will visit some of my best friends’ churches.  This past Sunday I attended a UPC church and the pastor had announced that all in the congregation who had not yet received the Holy Spirit should come forward after service so that they could get filled. But I am confused about all of this because doesn’t the Spirit already indwell in us after accepting salvation? Does he mean that all those who had not yet received the manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit (tongues) should come forward? Is this what he meant instead?  I remember reading somewhere in 2 Thessalonians where the apostle Paul states: “…for God had from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth…” Another passage which I recall is in Ephesians where again Paul states to the church there that after they accepted the gospel of salvation and believed that they were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise. Can you please clarify the above scriptures for me if I am misunderstanding? So can you please explain then how the pastor is calling all who haven’t received the Holy Spirit, assuming that those who went forward were believers, to come and receive the Holy Spirit?
Another thing: this slain in the Spirit is this a concept in the Bible? I’ve heard the term used among believers quite often, but, is it Biblical? I only recall in the book of Acts of the Apostles the story of Ananias and Sapphira who fell forward and gave up the ghost at the reproof of the Holy Spirit. The reason why I ask is because the same Sunday that the pastors were laying hands on those who had come forward to ‘receive’ the Holy Spirit was a very unsightly and frightful experience for me. I have never seen anything like what I will describe here:
1.   A woman after the pastor’s hands were laid on her, began to shake vehemently, and she fell to the floor, and her body was writhing and spinning on the floor at almost like the speed of light
2.   A second individual (also a female), it’s like the Spirit completely took over her, as if it tore her, and sent her headlong across the front of the pulpit, and she almost banged her head on the audio receivers
3.   The third individual (again, another female), as the pastor was laying his hands on her, had to avoid being hit by her, as she was wagging her head and arms in a rage of confusion. She was driven all the way from the front of the pulpit to the middle of the church and then once she fell to floor, her body was vibrating in fits of convulsion.
They all regained composure after about 20 minutes; however I observed that all of these women had to be covered up because their dresses flew up. I was trying to worship, but I became really distracted and bothered by all of this. Another observation I made was that all the male believers in the congregation who had come forward did not manifest such behaviors. I need help discerning. Please tell me whether the Spirit of the Lord was at work here or some other forces! Thanks.
Brandy, a.k.a. I am a Christian 2!!



ANSWER: Hi Brandy. It's nice to hear from you.

You are correct in your understanding of Scripture. During the current period of time following Christ's resurrection(New Testament Age, Church Age, Age of Grace), when one receives the gift of salvation, he also receives the Holy Spirit who comes to live inside of him.

Some (particularly Pentecostals) believe that the Holy Spirit is a separate gift which takes apart from salvation. They base this belief on Acts 2 (Day of Pentecost) and other passages in Acts in which believers received the Holy Spirit.

Prior to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, believers did not receive the Holy Spirit, except in certain rare instances in which God chose to give special ability for leadership within the Jewish theocracy (e.g., Samson, Saul, David, etc.) Christ promised that, when He left, He would send "another Comforter"--His alter ego, the Holy Spirit.

While the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was to be an act which occurred simultaneously with salvation, this was a new thing in God's plan, and He went to great lengths to reveal Himself and the Holy Spirit in an observable way when the early occurrences of the Holy Spirit's indwelling took place. That is why you see a few examples in the book of Acts in the history of the early church in which the Holy Spirit's indwelling was an act separate from salvation. This was a new thing in God's plan.

As for being slain in the Spirit, no, this is not a concept found anywhere in the Bible. I don't want to sound unkind in any way, but I believe it's something that appeals to those who are desparate for the "paranormal" and whose emotions overtake their reason. The fact that it creates so much confusion and concern and disruption should reveal to any rational person that it is controversial and distracting, at best.

I hope this helps. Feel free to write back if you would like to discuss further.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Scott I am very sorry --- but what exactly is going on in this church? I mean you should have been there to see it! It was very distracting and quite frankly I did not feel the presence of God. So what type of spirit was actually involved here in the laying of hands to these women before they 'received' the Spirit? I would not imagine that the Holy Spirit would manifest itself this way through the individual, much less to mention keeping the sanctity of the presence of God(women having to be covered because of indecent exposure due to this)....is there probably some type of influence of outside spirits at work here? Are there any scriptures to support my question? Sorry and thanks for your time.
Brandy

Answer
Hi Brandy,

No need to apologize.

Frankly, I would feel very uncomfortable in this situation, as you were. I don't think it was the presence of God that prompted these actions. All the confusion and unusual activity would not be characterized as a "God thing."

Personally, I would steer clear of such things. As for your friends, I would try to be gracious in letting them know that this sort of thing just isn't for you.

Scott