marksman said:
To quote what someone said...the verses do not say they weren't slain the spirit. Just one verse for example Acts 9:4 where it says he, Paul fell to the earth.
What made him fall to the earth? He had no reason to in the natural. After all he only saw a bright light. If you know what you are talking about, it is obvious there was something powerful in that bright light. My guess is it was the Holy Spirit. He fell because he was overwhelmed by the power of the Spirit. Which is exactly what happens when one is "Slain by the spirit."
I don't think for one moment he said to himself "Oh, a bright light. I had better fall to the ground."
Fall/fell/slain are all just different words to describe the same experience. Just like the young people that I saw walk through the fire tunnel and as they did so, they fell to the ground. No one touched them or pushed them. They just fell because the power of the Spirit gave them no choice.
Act 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Act 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said,
I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him,
Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Act 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Act 9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Now think of what you have seen and experienced in church. Faithful Christians line up, eager for the touch, and when it comes, they topple over backwards into the waiting arms of "catchers" who lower them gently to the floor. They speak of feelings of great joy, and/or peace. They may speak of "resting in the Spirit".
Does this sound like what happened to Paul?
No, I'm afraid not.
Paul was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians....he was hardly a fan. He was "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord."
Not the kind of guy one would expect to come to the altar and wait obligingly for the touch...
But, you are right....the bright light came, and Jesus spoke to him...and he fell to the ground.
When Jesus was through speaking with him, and he stood up again, he was blind.
I'm thinking that the average charismatic would be quite upset if the same thing were to happen to him...