SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT

Based on the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Zondervan Publishing House, 1988), slain in the Spirit is defined as “a relatively modern expression denoting a religious phenomenon in which an individual falls down; the cause of this is attributed to the Holy Spirit.” In simple terms, it happens when believers collapse or appear to faint after being prayed over or touched by a minister. This experience is often associated with speaking in tongues, uncontrollable laughter, weeping, and/or visions. In some cases, those who are “slain” simply fall asleep. Supporters describe it as a “temporary, physical response to a spiritual encounter with God that involves some or much difficulty with standing” (D. Hernandez, healing minister). This phenomenon is widely recognized in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, though its authenticity remains debated.

I myself have witnessed such events many times, even serving before as a “catcher”—one assigned to catch those who fall. From the beginning, I found it rather strange and questionable. While we cannot judge the intentions of the pastors or leaders facilitating these events, nor the sincerity of the believers who claim to experience them, we are also called to be discerning. Especially when the practice itself raises serious questions. Scripture instructs us not to believe every spirit but to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Those who support the legitimacy of being slain in the Spirit often appeal to biblical passages. Let us examine some of these references carefully.

ABRAM'S DEEP SLEEP (Gen. 15:12)

Some argue that Abram was slain in the Spirit when God spoke to him about the future of his descendants (vv. 13–16). But the passage simply says he “fell into a deep sleep” and encountered God through a dream, which is perfectly natural since it was evening (v. 12). This hardly serves as a basis for slain in the Spirit. Otherwise, we would have to assume that everyone in Scripture who fell asleep was slain in the Spirit!

THE DISCIPLES FELL DOWN (Matt. 17:6)

At the Transfiguration, the disciples fell facedown when they heard God’s voice (vv. 5–6). Some interpret this as slain in the Spirit. However, unlike today’s accounts, the disciples did not lose consciousness. They were aware of their surroundings and able to respond to Jesus (vv. 7–8). Clearly, they fell out of fear and reverence (v. 6), which is why Jesus told them not to be afraid.

THE APOSTLES AND THE PROPHETS (Acts 9:3–4; Ezek. 1:28; Dan. 8:17; Rev. 1:17)

Others cite instances of Paul, John, Ezekiel, and Daniel falling before God. It is true that God’s presence can stir physical responses. Yet these passages suggest voluntary actions of reverence or fear, not uncontrollable collapse. The prophets and apostles were not “overpowered by the Spirit” into losing balance; rather, they bowed down in awe. Importantly, they remained conscious and responsive. Moreover, the texts never explicitly attribute these moments to the Holy Spirit. Notably, God even commanded them to stand (Acts 9:6; Ezek. 2:1), showing they were still able to do so.

THE ARRESTING OFFICERS FELL (John 18:6)

This passage is perhaps the most frequently used to defend slain in the Spirit. When the officers came to arrest Jesus, He asked whom they sought. They answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” and He replied, “I am he.” At that, “they drew back and fell to the ground” (v. 6). Some argue that the officers were slain by the Spirit, overwhelmed by God’s presence. Hernandez explains, “those who fell at God’s glory did not do so voluntarily and did not do so out of reverence. They did not faint, collapse in fear, or fall back in surprise. They were simply unable to stand in the presence of God.”

But this interpretation misreads the narrative. If they were truly “unable to stand in God’s presence,” they should have collapsed immediately upon approaching Jesus. Instead, they fell only after His response. They even managed to converse with Him beforehand, and afterward they proceeded to arrest Him. Clearly, they were not incapacitated. The text suggests they were startled—likely by the force and weight of Jesus’ words, “I am,” a divine claim (Exod. 3:14; cf. John 5:18). This startling revelation explains their reaction. A similar response happened in John 8:58–59. Thus, they were not slain by the Spirit but shaken by the Son.

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Despite efforts to link slain in the Spirit to Scripture, the biblical evidence does not support it. At best, some proponents admit it might be considered “extra-biblical,” not strictly unbiblical—arguing that while the practice itself is absent, the underlying concepts appear in Scripture. However, their reasoning often conflates forward, voluntary acts of reverence in the Bible with today’s backward, involuntary collapses associated with unconsciousness. The more accurate conclusion is that this practice is not rooted in Scripture. As H. Hanegraaff observes: “Practitioners claim ample validation for this phenomenon in Scripture, church history, and experience. However, the phenomenon not only is conspicuous by its absence in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles but is generally inconsistent with a biblical worldview.” Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Burgess, S. M.,McGee G. B. (Ed.). (1988). 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵. Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. (p.789-790). Zondervan.
Hanegraaff, H. (2009). 109 𝘐𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸?. The Complete Bible Answer Book. Thomas Nelson.
Hernandez, D. D. (2018, May 6). Is being slain in the Spirit biblical? David Hernandez Ministries. Retrieved September 6, 2025, from https://www.davidhernandezministries.com/blogarchive/is-being-slain-in-the-spirit-biblical
Stewart, D. (n.d.). What does it mean to be slain in the Spirit? In The Holy Spirit and Us: Frequently Asked Questions (Question 11). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved September 6, 2025, from https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/the-holy-spirit-and-us/11-what-does-it-mean-to-be-slain-in-the-spirit.cfm