AOG Pastor: 'Slain in the Spirit' Backed by Scripture
by Allie Martin
April 15, 2004
(AgapePress) - An official with the Assemblies of God denomination in Louisiana says a well-known Christian author is misguided when he discounts the practice of being "slain in the spirit."In his newest book The Bible Answer Book, Hank Nanegraaff tackles 80 of the most popular questions he has received over the years on his radio program Bible Answer Man. One question concerns the practice in many Pentecostal and charismatic churches of being "slain in the spirit." Hanegraaff says such experiences are unscriptural and allow people to become "hyper-suggestible." (See article with Hanegraaff's comments)
Andy Harris takes exception to Hanegraaff's comments on being "slain in the spirit." Harris, who is executive presbyter with the Assemblies of God in Louisiana, says the practice, which began in the United States in the church camp meetings of the 1800s, is still relevant -- but should not be sought out on the basis of any biblical command. He describes it as a "by-product of the tangible presence of God."
Harris explains: "In the Old Testament, when the temple was dedicated, the glory of God filled the temple -- and the Bible says that the priest could not stand to minister. It's a by-product of the presence of God, but it would be unscriptural for anyone to try to seek out that particular experience."
The AOG spokesman maintains that scripture backs up the experience of being "slain in the spirit" -- and that the most prolific writer of the New Testament would take issue with the radio host.
"The Apostle Paul would argue with Hank Hanegraaff because when [the apostle] saw the Lord on the road to Damascus, the Bible says that he fell to the earth," Harris says. "That was definitely an experience of being slain [in the spirit] or falling under the power of God."
And Harris, pastor of Central Assembly of God in Haughton, Louisiana, says the reality of the experience cannot be dispelled just because some individuals might have pretended to be slain in the spirit.
"While we believe that there are those who would counterfeit the real, that does not negate the fact that there is a real experience of being slain in the spirit -- both biblically and historically," he says, pointing out that throughout scripture people fell in reverent worship to God.
