Shake, Rattle and Roll - What in the World is Happening in the Name of the Holy Spirit?
by Grace Kemp
Toronto Blessing, Pensacola Revival, Melbourne Renewal, are just a few of dozens of new names added to the Charismatic vocabulary in recent years..
A visitor, "enduring to the end" of a typical service would be stunned to observe the majority of congregation flat on their backs on the floor, their bodies discreetly covered with small sheets by "sisters" moving quietly between them like Florence Nightingale among her fallen troops. While some "appear as dead", others shake violently. A few roll, writhe, grunt or moan. Some of those left standing contort erratically like patients suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease. The atmosphere is charged; the evidence of power, overwhelming..
While some ask, "What meaneth this?" as did the amazed multitude at Pentecost (Acts 2:12) others sadly conclude that the participants have fallen prey to some sort of mind control or worse, are under demonic influence..
Peter, asked to explain the strange phenomena that occurred on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16-18), appealed to Scripture. Which prompts one to ask, "Does Scripture endorse these modern-day manifestations?"
At a recent such meeting, I picked up a flyer written by Pastor Norman Benz citing relevant Biblical references. Examining these passages, I was intrigued..
The "falling on the floor" phenomena was based on II Chronicles 5:14 where "the priests could not stand . . . for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." In Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel falls on his face at the "appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." Again in 3:23, Ezekiel falls face down at beholding "the glory of the Lord." Daniel describes being in a "deep sleep on my face and my face toward the ground" after seeing a "great vision" (Daniel 8:8-10). Similarly, the Apostle John in Revelation 1:7 "fell at his feet as dead" when the Lord appeared to him on the desolate isle of Patmos..
Reviewing the above texts, I concluded the common denominator to the falling experience was a revelation of God's glory..
Pastor Benz offered Psalm 99:1; Psalm 114:7; Jeremiah 5:22; 23:9; Daniel 10:7 and Habbakuk 3:16 as a basis for shaking, jerking or trembling. These texts did indeed establish a precedent:
"let the people tremble"
"tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord"
"will ye not tremble at My presence?"
"all my bones shake . . . because of the Lord . . . "
Daniel recounts that a "great quaking" occurred among his men when he saw a vision. Habakkuk confesses that his "belly trembled" and his "lips quivered" and he "trembled" at hearing of God's mighty works..
In summary, the shaking and trembling seemed an inevitable human response to the presence of God..
Sounds of moaning, groaning or grunting find their Biblical basis in Galations 4:19; Psalm 35:27; 55:2 and Jeremiah 4:19. Paul describes having the equivalent of labour pains for his children in faith. King David admits to "shouting for joy" as well as "mourning" and making a "noise". Likewise Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, describes his anguish by stating "my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace." These sounds seem to be the expression of deep, inner emotion, either agony or ecstasy.
Witnessing people bowing with faces to the floor, I checked out Ezra 10:1 and Psalm 35:13-14. In the former, Ezra "casts himself before the House of God" in deep repentance. In the latter, David "bowed down heavily" in intercession for his enemies. Both examples showed men whose outward position indicated deep inner humility and contrition..
On occasions, I heard mournful sobbing. Several Biblical characters expressed such emotion. Ezra when he, "confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God" (Ezra 10:1). Nehemiah "sat down and wept, and mourned . . . and fasted and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4). David, talking about sowing "in tears" and reaping "in joy" (Psalm 126:5,6) God Himself challenged Joel to "turn . . . to me with all your heart . . . with fasting . . . weeping and . . . mourning" (Joel 2:12). What we languish for reflects the inner longings of our hearts. Indeed, for some of us, a drop in the stock market produces greater personal turmoil than does the plight of lost and perishing souls..
During services, I observed that while some wept, others laughed--a happening dubbed "holy laughter"! Again, I found a Biblical basis in the joyous laughter of the released, Jewish captives as they returned to their homeland (Psalm 126:1,2). Solomon affirmed the medicinal benefits of a "merry heart" in Proverbs 17:22..
Should the sounds of unknown languages surprise us? Tongues speaking was a common occurrence following the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6). Indeed, Paul bluntly commands the Corinthians "do not forbid to speak with tongues (I Corinthians 14:39)..
Neither should the fact that revelations or visions are received during the meetings offend our orthodox sensibilities. Peter anticipates them as the natural outcome of the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:17). So does Paul, in I Corinthians 14:26, 30)..
Twice in the New Testament, the filling of the Holy Spirit is compared to drunkenness (Acts 2:13; Ephesians 5:18). Having observed activities ranging from joyous euphoria to swaggering and swaying to being "dead drunk" on the floor, the similarities are obvious. "The only difference," one speaker observed, "there's no hangover." Sure enough, these same people appeared relaxed and radiant at the conclusion of the lengthy service..
It was been a deeply cherished belief of long standing that the Old Testament has nothing to say regarding the church which was birthed at Pentecost. They correctly point out that the church was a "mystery" hidden from the ancients (Ephesians 3:9,10). The Apostle Paul, however, explains that "all Scripture (the Old Testament) . . . is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness . . . " (II Timothy 3:16). Moreover, he informs young Timothy that "all" of Scripture is necessary to mature and equip believers for "all good works". Hebrews 11, furthermore, spotlights the faith of seventeen Old Testament heroes, holding them up as examples. It seems a short step for us to seek to emulate the Godly behaviour of Ezekiel, Daniel, Jeremiah, David, Ezra, et al. Particularly so when we are told "I am the Lord, I change not . . . " (Malachi 3:6)..
Discussing these matters at a recent class reunion I was rebuffed with, "Let all things be done decently and in order," to which I could have added, "for God is not the author of confusion but of peace; as in all churches of the saints" (I Corinthians 14:33,40). Examining both verses in context however, we quickly discover that they apply to the order of the exercising of spiritual gifts in the church. Paul instructs the Corinthians that the verbal gifts of tongues, interpretations and prophecies should be delivered consecutively, not concurrently. To ignore this directive is to introduce disorder and confusion. There is no hint that the "manifestation of the Spirit" itself is inappropriate, only its timing. To allay their fears that they would be out of control of the situation, Paul points out that the "spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets" (I Corinthians 14:32). Then as now, the individual decides if he/she will cooperate with the prompting of the Holy Spirit. There is no compulsion to do so. At a recent service, I saw this demonstrated when young mother stood worshipping the Lord, swaying, bending and contorting. Abruptly, her young son tugged on her skirt with a request. Immediately, she took his hand and quietly led him out. What had appeared to be involuntary movements proved to be otherwise..
A Biblical example of human control is found in Acts 2:11-14. On the day of Pentecost, the newly Spirit-filled believers simultaneously spoke in tongues "the wonderful works of God". When the unbelievers arrived on the scene however, they lapsed into silence as Peter preached to the assembled crowd in their common language..
"We do too much thinking and not enough drinking" declared a visiting preacher. From my personal observation, I'd say we do too little of either. Few heed Paul's exhortation, "Give attention to reading" (I Timothy 4:13). The scholarly expositors of yesteryear have largely been replaced by a teachers addicted to television soundbites, who gather their materials from reference materials other than the Word of God, the Bible. Becoming "drunk in the Spirit" is no substitute for feasting on the "meat of the Word" (I Corinthians 3:2). Conversely, we need to remind ourselves of II Corinthians 3:6 which says " . . . the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." Having initially experienced the glorious baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the early believers craved a refilling (Acts 4:31). The resulting praise and empowerment enabled them "to speak the word of God with boldness". The effects of their evangelical efforts are evident to this day. That we need repeated fillings is implied by Ephesians 5:18, "be filled with the Spirit."
Combining the "thinking" and "drinking", Biblical balance comes into view - the Truth of God energized by the Spirit of God producing the Life of God in the believer. The outward signs are not an end in themselves but merely evidence of a refilling of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this personal refreshing and renewal is to provide the impetus, passion and power to faithfully fulfil our "high calling of God in Jesus Christ"..