This post was originally published on The Gospel Coalition Africa.

In many hyper-charismatic circles, the phenomenon of being “slain in the Spirit” (also referred to as “falling under the anointing“) is the hallmark of spiritual experiences. It typically occurs during altar calls when a “man of God” lays hands on someone or waves their hand or jacket in their direction causing them to collapse.

Familiar figures such as Apostle James Ng’ang’a from Kenya, Prophet Samuel Kakande from Uganda, and Prophet Shepherd Bushiri from Malawi have prominently showcased this practice in their ministries, drawing large crowds eager to witness or experience it. Usually, ushers will be standing nearby, ready to catch them as they fall backwards. The experience is generally accompanied by manifestations such as violent shaking, uncontrollable wailing, rolling on the floor, bursts of laughter, or falling unconscious in a seemingly trancelike state.

Those who experience being slain describe feeling sensations of tingling or heat, even a sense of being weightless.

 

Those who experience it often describe feeling sensations such as electricity coursing through their bodies, a tingling or heat, or even a sense of being weightless or detached from their surroundings. Some describe an overwhelming peace, while others describe it as a moment of spiritual ecstasy or being overwhelmed by God’s presence.

But is this phenomenon biblical? Does Scripture support such displays as a normative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? Or has it become another expression of emotionalism, untethered from sound doctrine? In this article, we will examine the practice of being slain in the Spirit, the theological claims behind it, and its alignment or lack thereof with biblical teaching.

Are Such Experiences in the Bible?

A careful search reveals that being slain in the Spirit as it’s practiced and promoted in many African churches today isn’t found in the Bible. However, proponents of this phenomenon often cite certain Bible passages to justify and encourage it. So let’s examine them.

When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:6)

This occurs when the soldiers and officers come to arrest Jesus. Upon hearing Jesus declare “I am he” they involuntarily fall backwards. It’s worth noting that these were unbelievers, not disciples; and their falling was not a blessing or an encounter with God’s Spirit but likely a reaction to the divine authority and the power of Jesus’ words.

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'” (Acts 9:3-4)

This passage describes Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ. He falls to the ground after a blinding light from heaven flashes around him. This was a one-time event that marked Paul’s call to apostleship.

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17)

Here John describes his reaction upon seeing a vision of Christ. Overwhelmed by Christ’s majesty, holiness, and splendour, he falls face forward in awe and reverence.

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified” (Matthew 17:5-6)

On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John fall facedown in fear and awe when they heard the voice of God.

“The priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)

This passage describes the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, where the priests are unable to continue ministering due to the overwhelming presence of God’s glory. However, the text doesn’t state that they fell to the ground.

“This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking” (Ezekiel 1:28)

Here, Ezekiel also falls face forward in response to a vision of the glory of the Lord. It’s worth noting that he remains conscious, because he says that he heard the Lord speaking.

Some Key Observations on These Passages

When studied critically, none of the verses cited above support the contemporary practice of being slain in the Spirit. Instead, the Bible consistently shows that people typically fell face forward as an act of reverence, worship, or fear in response to God’s presence or authority.

People fell face forward as an act of worship or fear in response to God’s presence.

 

This posture of “falling on one’s face” was common in the Old Testament as an expression of emotion or respect. For example, David fell on his face before Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:41). Ruth did the same before Boaz (Ruth 2:10). Obadiah fell on his face before Elijah (1 Kings 18:7). And an unnamed woman did so before David (2 Samuel 14:4).

Before God, this act carried even deeper significance, symbolising submission and reverence (Genesis 17:3Ezekiel 9:8; 11:13). In the New Testament, this same posture of humility is seen on two occasions when men with leprosy fell on their faces before Jesus (Luke 5:12; 17:16). In these instances, the falling was voluntary and intentional, not something forced or beyond their control.

Descriptive and Prescriptive Passages

It is also crucial to understand that every one of these passages is descriptive, not prescriptive. Let me explain.

  • Descriptive passages narrate what happened in history. They tell us what occurred but do not necessarily instruct us to imitate what happened in those events or expect it to be a regular Christian experience. For example, the Bible describes how Moses encountered God in a burning bush, but it does not prescribe that we seek burning bushes as a normative way of encountering God.
  • Prescriptive passages, on the other hand, give direct commands or instructions on how believers should live, worship, or practice their faith. For example, Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples of all nations is a clear directive to be followed by Christians.

When we treat descriptive passages as if they are prescriptive, we risk misinterpreting the Bible and building practices on shaky theological ground. The Bible does not call us to recreate every historical event it describes. Bible stories are meant to highlight God’s power, holiness, or intervention in history, not to provide a blueprint for our worship practices.

The Bible does not call us to recreate every historical event it describes.

 

This brings us to the close of my first article considering the phenomenon of being slain in the Spirit. We have examined the biblical grounds used to justify it and found them wanting. In the second article, we’ll delve into how this practice misrepresents the work of the Holy Spirit and also examine some of the factors that contribute to such manifestations.

Related article: The Endless Pursuit of God’s Presence in the Hyper-charismatic Movement

Thumbnail image credit: Aventuras Na Historia.

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2 Comments

  1. avatar

    This is enlightening! descriptive vs prescriptive… great! Thank you for the lessons!

    1. avatar
      Wanjiru Ng'ang'a says:

      You’re most welcome. I’m happy that you found it enlightening. Please feel free to refer to this article where I have addressed the topic more in depth: https://intruthshedelights.com/bible-interpretation-descriptive-vs-prescriptive-passages/

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