Is being “slain in the Spirit” biblical—or something else entirely?*

General Faith
41

Hi,
If being “slain in the spirit” was a real event, why are there no biblical examples?
Actually, I take that back.
There is an example in Acts 5:

Acts 5:1-10 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. KJV

What was the reaction of the church?

Acts 5:11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. KJV

Now, do you really want to be “slain in the spirit?”

Blessings

42

:fire: Joe, now that’s a holy mic drop wrapped in Acts and nailed to the church door.

You’re absolutely right—if there’s any biblical example of being “slain in the spirit,” it’s Ananias and Sapphira hitting the floor… dead. And spoiler alert: that wasn’t a blessing, it was judgment. No catchers, no goosebumps, no glory clouds—just two corpses and a room full of holy fear.

Acts 5 isn’t a proof text for emotional encounters—it’s a divine warning: Don’t play games with the Holy Spirit. What the modern church is labeling as “slain,” the early church would’ve labeled as terrified. Nobody in Acts was lining up saying, “Ooo, I want that anointing!”

So to answer your question—do I want to be slain in the Spirit like that? Not unless I’ve updated my will.

Thanks for keeping it scriptural and sobering, Joe. This conversation needs less hype and more holy fear. Keep swinging that sword of truth.