| WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE? | | | | I've learned that, whenever I go into any new region, |
| A Catholic woman reported to me that a priest with | | | | the best place to go for recognizing which territorial |
| the gift of healing had recently visited her church. After | | | | spirits might be in operation there, is the local library. |
| mass, the congregation swarmed toward the altar as | | | | Much can be learned by examining history. The |
| the priest laid hands upon the faithful to minister healing. | | | | American frontier camp revivals were known for the |
| The woman told me that people began falling once the | | | | "slain" phenomena as well as other unorthodox |
| priest touched them and were caught by ushers and | | | | behavior. For example: |
| laid gently upon the carpet. She said there were bodies | | | | Some "slain" people unconsciously were "reported" to |
| everywhere and they had to step over people just to | | | | have stripped their clothing or exhibited lewd behavior. |
| receive the priest's healing touch. Though she admitted | | | | Special patrols discouraged lascivious activities around |
| that she could sense a "spiritual" presence, she also | | | | the camp perimeters at night. |
| admitted that the entire episode was a bit scary and | | | | Some of those "slain in the Spirit" people writhed, |
| more than a little confusing, leaving her wondering why | | | | barked and howled. |
| some fell and others didn't and concluding it had | | | | Azusa Street meetings (California, 1908) also had |
| something to do with the recipient's level of spirituality. | | | | problems with mediums and familiar spirits controlling |
| What's happening here? What this woman described | | | | church meetings (I've encountered this myself - yes, |
| was her encounter with the phenomenon referred to | | | | Satan DOES attend church. Religiously!). |
| by its adherents as being "Slain in the Spirit," "Going | | | | A contemporary movement mentioned earlier, the |
| down under the power," or "Resting in the Spirit." Often, | | | | "Toronto Blessing," has exhibited some of these same |
| this experience is accompanied by another recent | | | | manifestations. The Toronto Blessing is still taking place |
| phenomenon, "Holy laughter." These occurrences are | | | | in the Toronto Vineyard Church which was actually |
| becoming standard fare within many denominations. | | | | ousted from fellowship by the Vineyard leadership in |
| Chances are, out of the many subscribers to this | | | | 1995. It was the product of South African Evangelist |
| ministry's recent series on the subject, most coming | | | | Rodney Howard-Browne's ministry. His "laughing |
| from either America or the UK, you've either | | | | revivals" included contagious laughter, spasms, "resting |
| experienced this in your own congregation or have | | | | in the spirit," and even animal-like noises. |
| seen it exhibited on Christian television. | | | | I attended one of Howard-Browne's earliest revivals in |
| Are these people "in the flesh" when they fall? If so, | | | | a church in downtown Fort Worth, Texas (a church |
| who determines that? If an appointee is selected to | | | | that was later destroyed by a freak "city" twin |
| determine "flesh" or "spirit", will they use the same | | | | tornado, incidentally). Attending these meetings was the |
| "Flesh-O-Meter" to determine who was "in the Spirit" | | | | "thing" to do back then. What a distraction from the |
| when they passed the offering plate? How about | | | | Great Commission! As Howard-Browne preached, |
| those who were singing in the choir, praying, or even | | | | people all over the crowded sanctuary began to |
| preaching in the flesh? Who are we to say? After all, 1 | | | | chuckle. He preached without hesitation as some |
| Samuel 16:7 tells us, "Man looks at the outside but God | | | | began laughing hysterically, even falling onto the floor. |
| looks at the heart." | | | | The uproar was so loud and distracting that it became |
| The Church should ask the hard questions of itself and | | | | impossible to focus on anything the man was saying. In |
| not put itself in a position of always having to defend | | | | time, he began laying hands on people as they jostled |
| against our many critics: What's it all about? What do | | | | for position in line. Then they fell. |
| the Scriptures say? If it's not Biblical, is it then demonic | | | | In fact, I decided to jump in and start "catching" them |
| in nature? If it's not a manifestation of God's power, | | | | and in an effort to protect them from injury (Over the |
| who IS displaying their power during these | | | | years, I've witnessed several people hitting their heads |
| occurences? What exactly is our INDIVIDUAL | | | | on the floor as they slipped through the usher's |
| responsibility as Christians? | | | | outstretched hands, hitting their heads hard on the floor |
| Scripture offers the following warnings to God's | | | | and hurting themselves). The lines formed down every |
| people: | | | | aisle, into the foyer, into the halls, the classrooms, the |
| 1 John 4:1: "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits | | | | kitchen. I "caught" so many people, I was soaked with |
| whether they are of God because many false | | | | perspiration. Very few others helped me, as I recall, |
| prophets are gone out into the world." | | | | most having squeezed into the ranks to receive a |
| 2 Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when they will | | | | quick pat on the head by Howard-Browne. When it |
| not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts | | | | was all over, there I stood, hands on my hips, panting |
| shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching | | | | like a mule, sweating, amidst a sea of fallen humanity. |
| ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the | | | | They were trembling, laughing, resting. Only a few |
| truth, and shall be turned unto fables." | | | | other ministers remained standing along with |
| Though most of you reading this would probably agree | | | | Howard-Browne and his entourage. |
| that cults are backed by demonically inspired false | | | | Note the parallels between these manifestations and |
| prophets, too many Christians are unwilling to give an | | | | those associated with the "shaktipat" of New Age |
| earnest examination of the spirit behind their OWN | | | | gurus like Swami Muktanada. "Shaktipat" is defined as |
| group's spiritual occurrences. Not to mention the LACK | | | | the "art of transferring supernatural Hindu powers from |
| of anything spiritual; too FEW of us are willing to | | | | one person to another." Once the swami touched one |
| assess the reasons why there seems to be absolutely | | | | of his followers, they would fall unconscious, shake, or |
| NO spiritual power exhibited in our own corner of the | | | | laugh uncontrollably. |
| vineyard. | | | | Hmmm. Were the people I was "catching" faking it? |
| Author Nader Mikhaiel, in his book, "Toronto Blessing: | | | | Were they demonically influenced? Were they |
| "Slaying in the Spirit, the Telling Wonder," presents us | | | | REALLY "slain in the Spirit"? If so, was it the HOLY |
| with the following challenge: "What would your | | | | Spirit? |
| response be to the account of the following New | | | | In his book, Mikhaiel devotes more than one hundred |
| York missionary?" During the 1800's, cripples, paralytics | | | | pages to a comparison between hypnotically induced |
| and the blind were healed "as in the days of old, by | | | | behavior and "slain" behavior. After studying the |
| laying on of hands in the name of Jesus," under a New | | | | phenomenon, he offers several thought-provoking |
| York missionary's ministry. Healing recipients, praising | | | | conclusions. Here they are, right from his book: |
| God, rushed to gather ill friends and neighbors who | | | | Non-Christians can receive the Toronto Blessing yet |
| were also healed. Seeing the miracles, converts | | | | remain unsaved. |
| clamored to receive baptism and join the church...of a | | | | Analysis is not conducive to experiencing the |
| Mormon missionary. | | | | manifestations. |
| A Mormon?! Did you know the central teachings of | | | | True prayer stops the manifestations. |
| Mormonism are completely unscriptural? Yet, if this | | | | The invoking of the Blood of Jesus stops the |
| testimony were presented in many churches today, | | | | manifestations. |
| we'd be sure to hear a whole lot of shouting and | | | | Manifestations may cause people to get out of line |
| praising afterward! Folks, God turned Moses' rod into a | | | | with Scripture. |
| snake and the Egyptian magicians did the same. The | | | | Manifestations "may cause people to forget about |
| devil is still using the same old counterfeit tricks. Satan | | | | Jesus" (and focus on the manifestation) |
| is a master deceiver and the father of lies. We must | | | | Manifestations allow people to experience supernatural |
| become more savvy saints and beware of his false | | | | power without devotion to Jesus. |
| signs and wonders using Scripture as our guide. | | | | Is his research true? He does claim to be a Christian |
| There never HAS been a tidy move of God so we | | | | and some very reputable people have appluaded his |
| shouldn't expect one any time soon. We must not call | | | | efforts as being a much-needed eye-opener in a time |
| evil good or good evil. We must not "kill" everything we | | | | of potential confusion. I can only vouch for my own |
| don't understand either. Many are convinced that the | | | | research and experiences. |
| "slain" phenomenon is demonic. Fact is, anything having | | | | *The reason I decided NOT to accept the Kentucky |
| to do with spiritual gifts is seen as demonic by some | | | | pastorate would AMAZE you ... it amazed ME! But I'm |
| folks. On the other hand there are Christians who | | | | not at liberty to elaborate at this time. Perhaps one day |
| refuse to even believe in demons! Satan loves that! | | | | God will give me the "go ahead." Suffice it to say that |
| Does the "slain" phenomenon have any impact on the | | | | God gave me a blatant, undeniable miracle to spare |
| unity of the Body of Christ? Are we willing to evaluate | | | | me the agony of relocating AND He allowed me to |
| the "slain" phenomenon according to Scripture and | | | | see some critical things in an extremely brief period of |
| remain objective? While some believe that God no | | | | time regarding some key leadership types. The |
| longer performs signs and wonders, others accept | | | | evangelist who had won so many souls was later |
| anything that raises a goosebump, a giggle, or a "Glory | | | | murdered. God is SO faithful! |
| to God!" as being manna from Heaven. | | | | PERSONAL EXPERIENCE |
| Years ago, I was asked to visit Kentucky to see if | | | | I have personally prayed for quite a few folks who |
| God might be calling me to pastor a church there*. A | | | | were seemingly "slain" as I laid my hands upon them. |
| friend had won more than sixty people to Christ in a | | | | On several occasions, I actually felt "power" leave my |
| short period and they were meeting in his home and | | | | body, causing a warm, tingling sensation in my |
| desiring leadership. | | | | forearms. In those cases, all were in church service |
| The town was the very place where America's | | | | altar calls, all were female and none of them fell |
| Second Great Awakening began in 1799. The camp | | | | backward. Some slumped forward, one shaking |
| revivals that took place in those days caused quite a | | | | violently, and another held her midsection and |
| stir. Their attendance, up to 15,000 in Cane Ridge, | | | | staggered while a "catcher" stood at the ready |
| Kentucky in 1801, was incredible in view of the scanty | | | | On one occasion, I can recall catching people after a |
| population of the state at that time. "Their emotional | | | | charismatic service held by a Scotsman. When all who |
| pitch complete with ...sobs, shrieks, shouts" triggered no | | | | were needing prayer had either returned to their seats, |
| small controversy. In "The Cane Ridge Meeting House," | | | | went home, or were lying about on the floor, he looked |
| written in 1910 by James R. Rogers, he wrote: 'The | | | | at me and asked what I wanted from God. For an |
| meetings often witnessed scenes of astounding | | | | instant I felt like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz |
| manifestations. Shaking, jerking, shouting and catatonic | | | | asking for a brain. I remember saying, "More Wisdom...," |
| (death-like) states were common. Laughter, barking like | | | | something I have often prayed for in accordance with |
| dogs and convulsions often preceded great conviction | | | | God's promise that He will give wisdom liberally to all |
| and conversion...." Such "emotional excesses," as some | | | | who ask of Him. But that night, after saying those |
| referred to them, also played a role in spawning quite a | | | | words, in an instant, I was lying on my back, ten feet |
| few new denominations, splinter groups and even cults. | | | | from where I started, staring at the bottom of a |
| To this day, there can be found small towns in the | | | | first-row seat! One friend with whom I had shared that |
| area filled with too many small, mostly empty churches | | | | story quipped, "Well, were you made wiser?" My |
| and, in this particular town, as one local law | | | | response? "I'm one man, a one-finger typist, who now |
| enforcement officer divulged, a per capita crime rate | | | | reaches thousands upon thousands of people each |
| that rivals Los Angeles. The high school had a huge | | | | week from my computer where I used to reach them |
| problem with teen pregnancy but was quite proud of | | | | one at a time or in much smaller groups, face to face. |
| the new day care center they had built to tend to the | | | | I'd say that's using wisdom! If nothing else, I'm more |
| babes of all their teen mothers. In other words, lots of | | | | efficient." Seriously, it's the fear of the Lord that is the |
| religion with no impact on society. It's estimated, | | | | beginning of wisdom. The word "fear" means a |
| however, that over 10,000 people were swept into | | | | reverential respect; an awe. I am so much MORE in |
| Kentucky churches alone between 1800-1803, even | | | | awe of Him with each passing day! Perhaps this |
| more nationwide as the revival spread beyond its | | | | causes my wisdom to increase accordingly. Perhaps it |
| Kentucky home. The camp meetings became better | | | | began that night |
| organized and eventually were looked upon as a | | | | Perhaps not. |
| legitimate means for mass evangelism. These | | | | To request part 2 of this subject, please send an email |
| meetings laid the foundation for Protestant church | | | | to Pastor Michael at and type "SLAIN 2" in the Subject |
| gatherings from then on as many new traditions were | | | | bar. Thank you for taking the time to RATE this article |
| birthed. What many refer to as "old time religion" is | | | | at the bottom of this page and E-Mail it to your friends |
| actually fairly new in light of Christianity's 2000-year | | | | and family. |
| history. | | | | |
