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Falling Under the Power of the Holy Spirit.
By Keith A. Paul
By Keith A. Paul
Recently, we as a ministry were asked about the question of whether 'falling under the power of the Holy Spirit' or being ' slain by the Spirit' was Biblical. I have seen this occurring for years but first read about it when in Bible College. In church accounts of Charles Wesley (late 1700's) and Charles Finney meetings (in the 1800's) this would also occur in meetings in large numbers, so it is not a new phenomena. I do not have access to those books now, so apologize for not giving exact references. The Biblical Evidence of people falling in the Presence of the Lord or because they are overwhelmed by the power of God is consistent with the scriptures. Sometimes this is called 'falling under the power of God.' or being 'slain by the power of God.' It can be and often is a genuine work of the Holy Spirit in meetings today.
I would be remiss, to not mention that there is a human element involved as well. People can in their eagerness to receive, willingly fall but this is similar to voluntarily prostrating oneself before the Lord or kneeling down to pray. The Lord does not want leaders to demand this nor does the Lord insist that those receiving prayer, fall down. It is important to allow the Holy Spirit to work regardless of what that may look like. I have been in churches where Leaders did not allow any physical or emotional response to the Presence of God. I remember preaching in one church and giving an altar invitation to those who wanted more of God's Presence in their life. Many came forward but they were like fence posts standing in a field. The pastor would go to any that would begin to cry and he would tell them to stop it because this was their emotions and he did not accept that as being spiritual. What a deception that Brother was under. It grieved my heart to see that from leadership. I would rather preach to people that have freedom to respond to whatever the Lord is doing and then give direction, if someone does truly get out of order by distracting attention to themselves. That needs discernment, of course but I love it when the Holy Spirit comes upon people and gives them such a taste of Heaven that they are filled with Him, changed and set on a different course in life. That is what Jesus wants for you and me, in these days.
This manifestation of the Holy Spirit generally, confirms that the person encountered the power of the Lord or was touched dramatically by the Lord and falls down because of it. I have seen people shaking and falling, almost as if electricity were going through them. Some receive healing, visions or some other work that the Lord needed to do within them. At other times it may mean that they received a commission from the Lord.
I find scriptures where this occurred when Jesus ministered to people. For example, the two incidents below and then when He declares that He is the One the mob is searching for. The same phenomena occurred with Paul the Apostle when he encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus.
I have provided several scriptural passages where this occurred in people's lives in one form or another.
Adam:
Genesis 2:21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
Genesis 2:22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
Saul:
1 Samuel 19:23 Saul left for Ramah, but as he walked along, the Spirit of God took control of him, and he started prophesying. Then, when he reached the Prophets Village,
1 Samuel 19:24 he stripped off his clothes and prophesied in front of Samuel. He dropped to the ground and lay there naked all day and night. That's how the saying started, 'Is Saul now a prophet?
Daniel:
Daniel 10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
Daniel 10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
Daniel 10:9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
Daniel 10:10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
Disciples:
Matthew 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Mat 17:3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
Mat 17:4 And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.;
Mat 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'
Mat 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
The Mob:
Notice: Unsaved people
John 18:6 When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground.
Saul's Conversion:
Notice: Unsaved Man
Acts 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Acts 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Acts 9:4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
As I mentioned earlier, all of the above people had encounters with either Angels or the direct power of the Holy Spirit working. This overwhelmed them and they fell to the ground. (perhaps some did this voluntarily but certainly some had no power in themselves to stand in His Presence.) Today we call this 'falling under the power of God' or being 'slain by in the Presence of God.'
John:
Revelation 1:12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands,
Rev 1:13 and in the midst of the lamp stands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Rev 1:14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
Rev 1:15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
Rev 1:16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Another source that can manifest when the Holy Spirit is working in Deliverance Power is when a demon throws someone down as a result of the Holy Spirit working. It is very obvious that Deliverance is occurring when this occurs. Most people will know the difference between this manifestation and what the Holy Spirit does or what occurs on some occasions when Angels appear in their glorified state. This is different as well from when people have intense encounters with God.
However, I want to provide this incident as well because deliverance often is accompanied by the victim falling down.
A Man Possessed with a Demon:
Luke 4:35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be silent and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.
In conclusion, let me say that there is scriptural evidence as mentioned above for this experience to occur. I have personally, experienced this 'falling under the power of the Holy Spirit' and have seen the Lord doing this while praying for people. Children are the least likely to copy what others are experiencing and I have seen the Holy Spirit come on children and they fell to the floor speaking in other languages as He gave them the ability.
Additional thoughts:
I know that people can voluntarily fall or be pushed over by the one praying, but this is not what I am talking about. I don't scold people for voluntarily falling because that shows submission and hunger. They may need further instruction, of course. When ever I have trained altar workers or a prayer ministry team, I advice them strongly never to push on someone until they fall. This is not genuine and grieves the Holy Spirit.
When praying for deliverance with people, as I mentioned above, the victim of the demon will often fall down as part of the deliverance and I have seen this when the Holy Spirit moves in His power of deliverance.
I trust this will help you and provide a general guide for you. In our country, we also train women who work in the prayer lines to cover women with a large cloth from the waist down when they fall to the floor. This provides an appropriate covering for ladies with dresses on. Sometimes we cover big men too, if they fall and half their belly is showing from under their shirt.
May the gracious Holy Spirit counsel you, give you wisdom and discernment as He works with power in your meetings.
I would be remiss, to not mention that there is a human element involved as well. People can in their eagerness to receive, willingly fall but this is similar to voluntarily prostrating oneself before the Lord or kneeling down to pray. The Lord does not want leaders to demand this nor does the Lord insist that those receiving prayer, fall down. It is important to allow the Holy Spirit to work regardless of what that may look like. I have been in churches where Leaders did not allow any physical or emotional response to the Presence of God. I remember preaching in one church and giving an altar invitation to those who wanted more of God's Presence in their life. Many came forward but they were like fence posts standing in a field. The pastor would go to any that would begin to cry and he would tell them to stop it because this was their emotions and he did not accept that as being spiritual. What a deception that Brother was under. It grieved my heart to see that from leadership. I would rather preach to people that have freedom to respond to whatever the Lord is doing and then give direction, if someone does truly get out of order by distracting attention to themselves. That needs discernment, of course but I love it when the Holy Spirit comes upon people and gives them such a taste of Heaven that they are filled with Him, changed and set on a different course in life. That is what Jesus wants for you and me, in these days.
This manifestation of the Holy Spirit generally, confirms that the person encountered the power of the Lord or was touched dramatically by the Lord and falls down because of it. I have seen people shaking and falling, almost as if electricity were going through them. Some receive healing, visions or some other work that the Lord needed to do within them. At other times it may mean that they received a commission from the Lord.
I find scriptures where this occurred when Jesus ministered to people. For example, the two incidents below and then when He declares that He is the One the mob is searching for. The same phenomena occurred with Paul the Apostle when he encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus.
I have provided several scriptural passages where this occurred in people's lives in one form or another.
Adam:
Genesis 2:21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
Genesis 2:22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
Saul:
1 Samuel 19:23 Saul left for Ramah, but as he walked along, the Spirit of God took control of him, and he started prophesying. Then, when he reached the Prophets Village,
1 Samuel 19:24 he stripped off his clothes and prophesied in front of Samuel. He dropped to the ground and lay there naked all day and night. That's how the saying started, 'Is Saul now a prophet?
Daniel:
Daniel 10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
Daniel 10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
Daniel 10:9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
Daniel 10:10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
Disciples:
Matthew 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Mat 17:3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
Mat 17:4 And Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.;
Mat 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'
Mat 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
The Mob:
Notice: Unsaved people
John 18:6 When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground.
Saul's Conversion:
Notice: Unsaved Man
Acts 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Acts 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Acts 9:4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
As I mentioned earlier, all of the above people had encounters with either Angels or the direct power of the Holy Spirit working. This overwhelmed them and they fell to the ground. (perhaps some did this voluntarily but certainly some had no power in themselves to stand in His Presence.) Today we call this 'falling under the power of God' or being 'slain by in the Presence of God.'
John:
Revelation 1:12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lamp stands,
Rev 1:13 and in the midst of the lamp stands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
Rev 1:14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
Rev 1:15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
Rev 1:16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Another source that can manifest when the Holy Spirit is working in Deliverance Power is when a demon throws someone down as a result of the Holy Spirit working. It is very obvious that Deliverance is occurring when this occurs. Most people will know the difference between this manifestation and what the Holy Spirit does or what occurs on some occasions when Angels appear in their glorified state. This is different as well from when people have intense encounters with God.
However, I want to provide this incident as well because deliverance often is accompanied by the victim falling down.
A Man Possessed with a Demon:
Luke 4:35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be silent and come out of him!' And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.
In conclusion, let me say that there is scriptural evidence as mentioned above for this experience to occur. I have personally, experienced this 'falling under the power of the Holy Spirit' and have seen the Lord doing this while praying for people. Children are the least likely to copy what others are experiencing and I have seen the Holy Spirit come on children and they fell to the floor speaking in other languages as He gave them the ability.
Additional thoughts:
I know that people can voluntarily fall or be pushed over by the one praying, but this is not what I am talking about. I don't scold people for voluntarily falling because that shows submission and hunger. They may need further instruction, of course. When ever I have trained altar workers or a prayer ministry team, I advice them strongly never to push on someone until they fall. This is not genuine and grieves the Holy Spirit.
When praying for deliverance with people, as I mentioned above, the victim of the demon will often fall down as part of the deliverance and I have seen this when the Holy Spirit moves in His power of deliverance.
I trust this will help you and provide a general guide for you. In our country, we also train women who work in the prayer lines to cover women with a large cloth from the waist down when they fall to the floor. This provides an appropriate covering for ladies with dresses on. Sometimes we cover big men too, if they fall and half their belly is showing from under their shirt.
May the gracious Holy Spirit counsel you, give you wisdom and discernment as He works with power in your meetings.
