Q. Was anyone in the Bible ever 'slain in the spirit'? Some ministers lay hands on people and they fall to the ground. Is there a biblical basis for this 'going out under the power,' as they call it?
While examining the FEW times in Scripture (below) in which this phenomenon occurred (and yes, it was a phenomenon -- a rarity), I noticed several interesting facts:
1) It never was a sought-after experience. (Today many go forward after a meeting for the very purpose of being slain; the altar call is often even presented as such);
2) It never was administered by a preacher or other man. (Some actually push people down, or attempt to cause a loss of balance by pressing on certain pressure points);
3) It was not a common occurrence. (Today many stand in line -- all expecting to fall); it occurred only when an individual experienced such a rarity as
seeing the glory of God (not a common experience).
Ezekiel 1:28
"...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 3"22, 23
"The hand of the Lord was upon me there, and he said to me, 'Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.' So I got up and went ...And the glory of the Lord was standing there..., and I
FELL FACEDOWN."
Revelation 1:17
"When I saw him, I FELL AT HIS FEET AS THOUGH DEAD...." [Note: This is
probably the source of the phrase 'slain in the spirit.']
II Chronicles 5:13, 14
"It came even to pass, ... that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; so that the priests
COULD NOT STAND to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God."
Close examination of the following additional verses describing the phenomenon of being "slain in the spirit" (see below) indicate:
1) The individual FELL ON HIS FACE -- *not* fell backwards. (There were no "catchers"!)
2) The experience occurred when the person was ALONE with God -- not standing in front of a group of people.
3) No human administered/imparted it. (It was not during a "laying on of hands" session by anyone!)
4) When they were "down" (or "out"), they received either visions of the last days, prophecies, or SAW GOD God face to face. It was not a common or casual occurrence!
Genesis 17:1, 3
"The Lord appeared to Abraham... and Abraham FELL ON HIS FACE, and God talked with him..."
Daniel 8:17
"And it came about when I, Daniel, had seen the vision... I heard the voice... So he came near... and when he came I was frightened and FELL ON MY FACE... Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with MY FACE TO THE GROUND..."
Genesis 15:12
"...A DEEP SLEEP FELL upon Abram... And God said to Abram..."
Daniel 10:8, 9
"So I was left ALONE and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. But I heard the sound of his words; and... I fell into a deep sleep ON MY FACE, with MY FACE TO THE GROUND."
Ezekiel 43:1-7, esp. 3
"...behold, the glory of the God of Israel... His voice... and the earth shone with his glory... like the vision which I saw by the river Chebar; and I FELL ON MY FACE..."
Ezekiel 44:4, 5
"...behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord, and I FELL ON MY FACE. And the Lord said to me..."