Please read Part One of this study.
Copyright
© 1998
Peter Wade.
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Slain by the Spirit?by Peter Wade (Part 2)
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him" (Matthew 2:11). The wise men showed their respect and worshipped the child Jesus by falling down. This was an act of voluntary humility according to Eastern custom. The biblical significance of falling face down is an act of worship showing humility and reverence. Such reverence is a customary act and is expressed when a person of inferior status is presented or presents himself before someone of superior rank. The student should check the following selected references showing this custom: Genesis 44:14; Joshua 5:14; Ruth 2:10; I Samuel 25:23,24; and II Kings 1:13.
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"And all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:9). The devil tried to bargain with Jesus by offering Him the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them, if Jesus would fall down and worship him. The devil had no power against Jesus to force Him to submission or to make Him fall down against His will. Yet it is interesting to note that the devil desired the worship of Jesus.
Other examples of prostration in worship or supplication during the ministry of Jesus are recorded in the following passages: Matthew 18:26,29; 26:39; Mark 5:22,33; 9:20; 14:35; Luke 5:8,12; 7:25; 8:28, 41,47; 17:16;John 11:32; 18:6.
Cornelius, a Roman, "feared God with all his house... and prayed to God alway" (Acts 10:2). An angel of God came to him in a vision while he was praying and Cornelius was afraid, but no mention is made that he fell down. However, when Peter entered Cornelius' house several days later, the scripture states "Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man" (Acts 10:25,26). Cornelius was not astonished by a bright light nor "Slain by the Spirit", but desired to show great respect to Peter. However, Peter did not accept such a gesture, and commanded Cornelius to "Stand up; I myself also am a man." Another record of this nature is seen in Acts 16:29 where the Philippian jailer prostrated himself before Paul and Silas.
"And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth" (I Corinthians 14:25). The cause of the reaction given in this verse was the giving of a prophecy. The people involved in this incident were believers, both those who were instructed in the things of God but had not risen up to believe and manifest in their own life, and also the uninstructed believers.
The prophecy convinced and judged their hearts and brought the conviction that these manifestations were from God. Then the desire of their hearts was to worship God and tell everybody that "God is in you of a truth". There is no indication that they were made to fall down by a power outside of themselves, but rather in their desire to worship they fell down of their own volition in respect and adoration of God.
The book of Revelation also gives many examples of falling down in worship in the following passages: Revelation 4:10; 5:8,14; 7:11; 11:16; 19:4,19; and 22:8,9.
In addition to these specific scripture references, we must also bear in mind the great overall principle of the Word of God, that God never touches our free will. When God gave man free will, He placed Himself in the position where He could not and would not force man to do anything if man did not will to do so. On the other hand, the devil always desires to take control of a person's will, so that he may accomplish his purposes. When a person does something that he does not will to do so, it has to be an activity of devil spirits.
With the exception of the Eastern custom of falling down in worship, the scriptures quoted all bear out the same conclusion: the act of falling down was a physical reaction to fear. This fear was caused by the sudden appearance of a vision, an angel, or some new experience. Nowhere are we told to seek such an experience, nor is it anywhere indicated that this is necessary in order to receive a healing, or to bring forth a manifestation of the spirit, or to receive any blessing from God.
The experience has become such a common occurence in some churches that people fall down because it is "expected" that they do so. Ted Brooks, in his illuminating book I Was A Flakey Preacher, writes in chapter seven, "I have fallen 'under the power' dozens of time. That is why I can tell you, by experience, that the fear of man and the fear of missing out was always the strongest reason to fall to the floor. I did not want to look less willing than anyone else. Nor did I want my 'inability to yield' to the 'moving of the Spirit' to be interpreted as rebellion or unbelief.
"When you are standing in front of all your peers and respected leaders and they lay their hands on you, the pressure is on. Especially when you are up on stage and all eyes are watching you... I can tell you by experience, that it wasn't the fear of God I was struggling with. It was the fear of not looking as spiritual as some as the others... As time went on, I got quite good at pretending when I was 'hit by the anointing'... For many years as a pastor, I watched people fall to the floor when I laid hands on them. The preachers and the people were well trained in this and we knew what was expected of each other. We had quickly caught on to the traditions of the Charismatic church.
"Did Jesus cause people to fall under the power in His ministry? Did He see people laugh, bark, and roll as they received their healing? Did Jesus' anointing overcome them and send them flying? Did they fall down and shake or cry as He laid hands on them? Only the demon-possessed manifested such foolishness and Jesus told them to be quiet. He did not accept these manifestations as a normal part of His ministry."
The teaching that the experience of being "Slain by the Spirit" is simply to make us aware of God's presence hardly seems logical let alone scriptural. The great truth of the omnipresence of God and of His special presence with the believer at all times is declared throughout the Bible. Perhaps one verse will suffice to emphasise the truth: "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5b,6).
God has commanded us to believe His Word? He has told us that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16,17)? Let's believe His Word!
God has made so much available to the believer, for He has "blessed us with all spiritual blessings" (Ephesians 1:3). Few Christians have manifested the fact that they are tapped into the "exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe" (Ephesians 1:19). Certainly let us operate to the full all nine manifestations of the spirit (I Corinthians 12:8-10) in line with the conditions laid down in His Word. Let us be satisfied with no less and demand no more than God promises in the Word. Let us seek those things that build up the church and meet the needs of humanity. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (I Corinthians 14:40).
Copyright © 1998 Peter Wade. The Bible text in this publication, except where otherwise indicated, is from the King James Version. This article appears on the site: http://www.peterwade.com/.
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