theology
What are the pros and cons of "slaying
in the Spirit?"
By Dr. J. Rodman Williams
Theologian
The following questions were asked by visitors to CBN.com. The
answer is provided by Dr. J. Rodman Williams, theology professor
at Regent University's
School of Divinity.
I have been hearing a lot about "slaying
in the Spirit." I have heard both sides, pros and cons, of its
validity. Are there any scriptures on this subject and what
are your thoughts?
I prefer the language of "falling in the Spirit." The biblical
illustration that stands out is Revelation 1:10 where John says
he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day" and after recounting
a vision of Jesus says, "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as
a dead man" (verse 17). Falling in the Spirit may genuinely happen
when one senses the glory of the Lord.
I have been saved for about 8 months. I believe in tongues
and all other spiritual gifts. I have been told that speaking
in tongues is a sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit. I have
not had the experience of tongues. What exactly must be done to
be filled?
To be filled with the Holy Spirit requires a total yielding
to God. The disciples at Pentecost who were filled with the Holy
Spirit and spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4) had been in prayer for
ten days as they more and more yielded themselves to the Lord.
The length in time, however, is not important but only the surrender
of everything including the tongue. Sometimes the laying on of
hands, as Paul did to some Ephesian disciples in Acts 19:6, helps
in receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. (For more
on yielding, see Renewal Theology 2, pages 302-305.).
Order Dr. Williams book, Renewal
Theology on CBN.com.
More Theology Q & A from Dr. J. Rodman
Williams.
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theology question.
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