The concept of being “slain in the Spirit” refers to an experience in which a person falls to the ground, usually during a worship service or prayer meeting, as a result of feeling overwhelmed by the presence of God’s Spirit. This phenomenon is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but some Christians associate it with biblical accounts of people falling down in the presence of God’s glory or power.
For example, in the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel fell to the ground when he saw a vision of God’s glory (Ezekiel 1:28), and in the New Testament, the apostle John fell at Jesus’ feet as though dead when he saw a vision of the glorified Christ (Revelation 1:17). Similarly, the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus fell to the ground when he identified himself as the Son of God (John 18:6).
Despite these examples, there is no biblical command or instruction to seek out an experience of being “slain in the Spirit.” In fact, some Christians argue that this practice is not biblical, and may be influenced more by emotionalism than by a genuine encounter with God’s Spirit.
Ultimately, the question of whether being “slain in the Spirit” is biblical may depend on one’s interpretation of certain biblical passages and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life. Some Christians may see this experience as a valid expression of worship and a way to encounter God’s presence, while others may view it as a potentially dangerous or unnecessary practice. Ultimately, each individual believer must prayerfully seek God’s guidance and discernment about how to approach this and other spiritual practices.
