Why do people pass out at faith healing services?

[Igor]

I woke up this morning and read a post by Chris of his being healed at his church by a visiting faith healer. As seems typical of these dramatic public healings, when the “healer†prayed for him, he lost consciousness and fell to the floor (caught by waiting person who was anticipating this, of course). It seems every one of these “faith healing services†that I have seen, everyone who is healed loses consciousness and falls to the floor. If this doesn’t happen, it seems they are not considered “healed†and it even seems implied that their faith just wasn’t strong enough. So appearently this is a very important part of these events. Yet I have personally been involved in real miraculous (and verified) healings where no one passed out. So I know it’s not a required part of a real healing from God. My question is why do people so commonly pass out at these “healing services�

Can anyone tell me where this is found in the descriptions of God’s healing in scripture, or can anyone tell me why this happens so commonly now if it didn’t happen anywhere in scripture?

 

[handy]

Good topic, Igor...and I'm glad you've asked the question.

I too have been on hand at true miraculous healings and no one passed out. Quite the opposite...the one woman ran, and I mean ran down to the pulpit to proclaim her healing, and the other woman, an older woman, while not running anywhere was still quite animated at her obvious healing.

Also, in all the healings in the Gospels, I don't see any example of anyone passing out. Peter's mother-in-law cooked supper for everyone. When Peter and John healed the lame man (OK, it was the Holy Spirit, but you know what I mean) he started walking, leaping and praising God.

 

[tim-from-pa]

It's similar to being "slain in the Spirit" where people fall. A form of hypnosis. The mind does strange things at times.

 

[Alabaster]

Being 'slain in the Spirit' doesn't just occur at 'healing services'. It happens when the Holy Spirit comes and manifests His presence heavily. It isn't hypnosis or anything to do with the mind, although people are influenced by the witnessing of it and can drop by the mere suggestion of it. However, we don't and shouldn't sit in judgment of who is really experiencing the Holy Spirit and who isn't.

 

[Theofilus]

I have experienced this myself, and I can tell you that people aren't "passing out". I was fully consious the whole time, and I've never met anyone who's had this experience who has claimed otherwise. It only looks like people pass out.

 

[Hitch]

Its a fashion trend. Catholics kneel a lot Pentecostals keep blankets in the corner .

Ive never counted but I would bet this happens to women far more than men.

I saw a show recently in which a martial arts expert could make people fall backward without touching them. It worked just fine ,provided the subject was one of his students. heh heh

 

[reba]

been there done that. I find it is sorta real. The emotions are over whelmed. The power of wishful thinking and so wanting a TOUCH from God. Does being "slain in the spirit" glorify God? Or does it glorify the guy with the sales pitch?

These faith healers can go to any hospital along their path. If the healing is for real the press would pit it up. and then we could proclaim the healing to the glory of God. But they mostly play to closed audiences. How many parlor games 'work' because we are all in agreement?

Ive never counted but I would bet this happens to women far more than men.

We sweet ones tend to be more emotional

 

[Hitch]

I was involved in a church when this began to happen with some frequency. It didnt take long to evolve into a competition. Having as I did and 'in' to the social standing of the deeper life club, it was easy to see how important it became to stay on the floor longer than the less spiritual.

 

[Alabaster]

I have experienced this myself, and I can tell you that people aren't "passing out". I was fully consious the whole time, and I've never met anyone who's had this experience who has claimed otherwise. It only looks like people pass out.

Yes, that is the truth.

 

[Alabaster]

I was involved in a church when this began to happen with some frequency. It didnt take long to evolve into a competition. Having as I did and 'in' to the social standing of the deeper life club, it was easy to see how important it became to stay on the floor longer than the less spiritual.

How quickly the flesh becomes fully involved and taints the Spirit's manifestations.

 

[Jake]

Are there any examples in the Bible where this has happened?

There doesn't seem to be and why would God need for this to happen? We are His Kingdom, we have Christ living in us all the time, Jesus healed us at the cross, He answers prayers - and we still need need more?

I guess I don't get it. ha

Another question is, too, is why do we have faith healers coming around to all the churches when Christ already healed us at the cross, none of this makes sense to me.

 

[Alabaster]

Are there any examples in the Bible where this has happened?

There doesn't seem to be and why would God need for this to happen? We are His Kingdom, we have Christ living in us all the time, Jesus healed us at the cross, He answers prayers - and we still need need more?

I guess I don't get it. ha

Obviously, with the hustle and bustle of life today among even Christians, we need to stop and savour the presence of God. God isn't averse to doing something new.

In some people, I view their experience as a respite of the Lord's tangible peace...much needed.

However there are instances in Scripture where people have been overcome by the heavy presence of God.

 

[Jake]

Obviously, with the hustle and bustle of life today among even Christians, we need to stop and savour the presence of God. God isn't averse to doing something new.

In some people, I view their experience as a respite of the Lord's tangible peace...much needed.

However there are instances in Scripture where people have been overcome by the heavy presence of God.

I'm not saying these things are not authentic, however I do question as to why. God gives us "His peace beyond understanding" anywhere without us having to fall down to receive it. And that it never happens that way in the Bible.

Especially doing something like this with healing, we are already healed, so why the falling down, too?

Not arguing, just confused about this.

 

[Alabaster]

I'm not saying these things are not authentic, however I do question as to why. God gives us "His peace beyond understanding" anywhere without us having to fall down to receive it. And that it never happens that way in the Bible.

Especially doing something like this with healing, we are already healed, so why the falling down, too?

Not arguing, just confused about this.

I believe some people receive a special dose of the Lord's peace and joy when they experience this manifestation. It is a time of His impartation.

He just loves us!

 

[reba]

Rockie

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.


God's word talks often about falling on ones "face" before the Lord.

1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.


God's love to us is emotional our love to Him is emotional. Nothing wrong with emotions God gave them to us. I am thankful for the balance of His Word ! Seen to much emotionalism in my years.

 

[jasoncran]

I have experienced this myself, and I can tell you that people aren't "passing out". I was fully consious the whole time, and I've never met anyone who's had this experience who has claimed otherwise. It only looks like people pass out.

same here. i was aware of it happening to me.

 

[Igor]

Thanks for all the responses! Although I still am not sure I understand, and still have questions.

It's similar to being "slain in the Spirit" where people fall. A form of hypnosis. The mind does strange things at times.

What is “slain in the Spirit”? Sure, I’ve heard the term lots of times, but what is it, based on scripture. I mean, where does God’s word tell us that we should be “slain” in the Spirit? Even if it doesn’t use these exact words, where does God’s word describe this happening (at least in principle) in the way we see it at faith healing services?

I have experienced this myself, and I can tell you that people aren't "passing out". I was fully consious the whole time, and I've never met anyone who's had this experience who has claimed otherwise. It only looks like people pass out.

I didn’t know this. Thanks. So, is it sort of like you are aware of what’s happening, but you are paralyzed? Unable to move, speak, or do anything?

…God's word talks often about falling on ones "face" before the Lord.

1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. …

I’m not sure if this is the same as what I am asking about in this thread. In all the faith healing services I have seen, no one has ever fallen on their face. Always on their backs (most times after receiving a good firm shove to the forehead by the faith healer’s palm). To the ancient people of Biblical times, falling on one’s face was a sign of worship. But falling on ones back was not. Also, as far as Iknow, falling on the face was a conscious, purposeful act that they performed on their own power, not a reaction of losing control of their bodies. In the faith healing services, it appears the people have lost physical control of their bodies and fall in the direction they are pushed by the faith healer. In fact, many times I have even seen, when the “healed” doesn’t seem to be ready to fall, they get a much firmer push form the palm until they finally yield to it.
I don’t think this is what is being described in 1 Cor 14:25.

I guess I’m starting to question if this whole idea of “slain in the Spirit” is Biblical. I sort of want it to be, because it makes good theater. And good theater attracts people. But it has to be Biblical “theater” to be from God.

I don’t see this as the same thing as just doing something new (like playing an electric guitar in a worship service for example) that wasn’t mentioned in the Bible because it didn’t exist back then. We are talking about a direct exhibit of a spiritual event involving people losing control over their bodies that doesn't seem to have any nessesity for the actual physical healing to be accomplished. It seems to me if this is the way God worked, He would have worked in this way in Biblical times as well. So I’m still asking if anyone can find a Biblical example, even in principle, that really matches what we are seeing today?

 

[theophilus3213]

I woke up this morning and read a post by Chris of his being healed at his church by a visiting faith healer. As seems typical of these dramatic public healings, when the “healer” prayed for him, he lost consciousness and fell to the floor (caught by waiting person who was anticipating this, of course). It seems every one of these “faith healing services” that I have seen, everyone who is healed loses consciousness and falls to the floor. If this doesn’t happen, it seems they are not considered “healed” and it even seems implied that their faith just wasn’t strong enough. So appearently this is a very important part of these events. Yet I have personally been involved in real miraculous (and verified) healings where no one passed out. So I know it’s not a required part of a real healing from God. My question is why do people so commonly pass out at these “healing services”?

Can anyone tell me where this is found in the descriptions of God’s healing in scripture, or can anyone tell me why this happens so commonly now if it didn’t happen anywhere in scripture?

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I have been 'slain in the Spirit' on serveral occasions. And each time it happened the experiance was intense. The first time it happened to me was back in 1974 at a saturday night healing service at the los angelous temple. the preachers name was 'Brant baker'. I was standing in line waiting for him to pray for me. As he approached me I felt this intense wam love approaching me. When Mr. Baker got to me; He placed 2 fingers on my forhead and said 'In the name of Jesus." and I felt this warm, intense love come upon me and then I blacked out. When I woke up on the floor I felt intense warm love in every cell of my body! I was in heaven! I have been slain in the spirit on several other occasions as well; and each time it is that same experiance. These experiances told me a few things about God:
1. God is love!
2. He loves me very intensly!
3. He can knock me out any time he chooses.
4. He is stronger than I, and is completly trust worthy.

These experiances greatly streagthened my faith! And I long to have them again!

Now what I have described to you is what happens when someone has a genuine slain in the spirit experiance. And I know that there are many people who will fake having such experiances in order to seem spiritual, or somethig. And there are some people who put on shows that are not real in order to decieve people. but that does not mean that there are not authentic slain in the Spirit experiances. My experiaces are authentic, and there are litterally thousands of others who have had authentic experiances as well.

I hope that this answers your question.

Have a great day.

 

[theophilus3213]

Thanks for all the responses! Although I still am not sure I understand, and still have questions.

What is “slain in the Spirit”? Sure, I’ve heard the term lots of times, but what is it, based on scripture. I mean, where does God’s word tell us that we should be “slain” in the Spirit? Even if it doesn’t use these exact words, where does God’s word describe this happening (at least in principle) in the way we see it at faith healing services?


I didn’t know this. Thanks. So, is it sort of like you are aware of what’s happening, but you are paralyzed? Unable to move, speak, or do anything?



I’m not sure if this is the same as what I am asking about in this thread. In all the faith healing services I have seen, no one has ever fallen on their face. Always on their backs (most times after receiving a good firm shove to the forehead by the faith healer’s palm). To the ancient people of Biblical times, falling on one’s face was a sign of worship. But falling on ones back was not. Also, as far as Iknow, falling on the face was a conscious, purposeful act that they performed on their own power, not a reaction of losing control of their bodies. In the faith healing services, it appears the people have lost physical control of their bodies and fall in the direction they are pushed by the faith healer. In fact, many times I have even seen, when the “healed” doesn’t seem to be ready to fall, they get a much firmer push form the palm until they finally yield to it.
I don’t think this is what is being described in 1 Cor 14:25.

I guess I’m starting to question if this whole idea of “slain in the Spirit” is Biblical. I sort of want it to be, because it makes good theater. And good theater attracts people. But it has to be Biblical “theater” to be from God.

I don’t see this as the same thing as just doing something new (like playing an electric guitar in a worship service for example) that wasn’t mentioned in the Bible because it didn’t exist back then. We are talking about a direct exhibit of a spiritual event involving people losing control over their bodies that doesn't seem to have any nessesity for the actual physical healing to be accomplished. It seems to me if this is the way God worked, He would have worked in this way in Biblical times as well. So I’m still asking if anyone can find a Biblical example, even in principle, that really matches what we are seeing today?

Hello, I Hope you are well!

First of all the Bible does not give us a list of miricales and tell us that these are the miriacles that God does and He will do no other. God is God and He can do anything that He wishs to do! The apostle John said:

John 21:25
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen KJV

Jesus did so many miriacles that it is impossible to record them all in books! but if you study the miracles of Jesus that HAVE been recorded for us, you will see that Jesus did not always use the same method when He healed people. for example, He spit on the ground and made mude with the spit and put is on a blind mans eyse so he could see. another time jesus simply said 'let it be to you according to your faith' and several blind men were healed. We see in this that God likes to 'mix things up'. He heals us with the methods that He chooses at the time that He chooses to heal us. We have no business trying to tell God that He can't do something a certain way. If He wants to knock somoene out and fill them with His intense love then He does so! If He wants to levitate someone, (as some ancient saints claim that God levitated them,) Then He does so. If He wants to miracously transport someone from one place to another (as He did with Philip.) then He does so. God is God and He can do anything that HE wants to do and we would be quit foolish to say that God could not do those things.

So just because the bible does not record a similar miracle to the one that God is currently performing or has performed, is irrevelant.

 

[pjt]

I think people just get all caught up in the emotion and music and excitement and fall out. Sometimes they`ll fall and still be moving and shouting so I don`t think it is always fainting although sometimes you can see someone clearly has fainted. But I do think it has to do with being caught up in the emotions. I think this usually happens when a church builds on emotions. The preaching gets louder and more intense, the music gets more repetitive and intense, the fans are turned on to create a feel of the Holy Spirit moving in the air and people start shouting and inevitably the emotions overcome people. So I would not say it is fake but I would say it is somewhat generated by the environment building on and playing on the emotions. I am not convinced it is all 100% from the Holy Spirit.