Expert: Marilyn - 10/18/2010

Question
Why some worshipers fall backwards when Pastors lay hands on
them to Bless? This act repeats on some without a
result/Healing.
The Bible does not support this fall either.

Answer
Hello Nihal;

The event is called "slain in the Spirit" and is attributed to the Holy Spirit surrounding and filling a person to the point where he just falls down. One example from Scripture: on the road to Damascus, Paul, who was called Saul at the time, was knocked down from his horse by the Lord Jesus, Acts 9:4 & 22:6-7.

Some of these incidents may be wishful thinking on the part of the person falling, he just wants to be a part of the action; some of these incidents may be genuine and the Holy Spirit is doing an intangible work within a person, changing the way a person thinks wouldn't show up immediately, for example.

Personally, I've never experienced such a move by the Holy Spirit where I was so overwhelmed that I could not stand, but I have decided not to make a judgment about this practice. Instead, I determine whether or not the Pastor's sermon stayed true to the Bible and was anointed by God. I John 4 says love is the evidence of God in us, so I also look for evidence of love in words and deed in the regular church attenders, in the staff and in the Pastor. Also, in a service I want to receive some insight or learn something. If these criteria are met, then I must contend with myself, so that I do not block the Holy Spirit out of fear of being weird or reluctance to look the fool by finding myself "slain in the Spirit." David danced before the Lord and his wife, Michal, found his actions disgusting and embarrassing, but he said that he would become even more foolish than that to humble himself before God, II Samuel 6.

Sincerely,

Marilyn