Drunk in the Spirit - Page 4

FlamingZword · #31 03-28-2016, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I am not anti-alcohol, depending on the form it takes. I am anti-drunkeness. Having been raised by a herd of drunks, I made a decision to completely abstain from alcohol long before I converted to Christianity.

As a Christian minister, are you a bishop or deacon?

I ask in light of 1 Timothy 3:3 and 8.

I am not a bishop or a deacon but I still would qualify by using 1 Timothy 3:3 and 8

not given to drunkenness
not addicted to wine
He must not drink excessively
They must not be heavy drinkers
He must not drink too much wine

not given to much wine
not addicted to wine
heavy drinkers
give themselves to excessive drinking
who spend their time drinking too much

KeptByTheWord · #32 03-28-2016, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by votivesoul

I've never been drunk on alcohol, not once. I have no experience at all to compare.

But in all my experiences in the presence of God, I never once, as intense as some have been, ever felt "drunk", as if to imply I had lost control of my faculties.

In fact, I find the deeper into God's presence I go, the more focused, intent, and sober I become. I disappear, as it were, from the world around me, sometimes as if in a trance. As God draws me in, the clarity increases. Utter silence, utter stillness.

These are the peaks experiences of my life.

Amen!

Sarah · #33 03-28-2016, 11:42 AM

I believe some of those people who received the HG on the day of Pentecost did act drunk! Peter had to tell the crowd that they were 'not drunken,as ye suppose'...I remember being very emotional as I spoke in tongues, but don't think I acted drunk. However, I've seen folks who were very classy, elegant people, who did act downright drunk when they received the HG! So much so they couldn't even stand upright...just like an old drunk!

ApostolicKitty · #34 03-28-2016, 11:53 AM

Well, I don't really care who thinks what, but... I have been drunk on alcohol and I got drunk in the Spirit the night I got the Holy Ghost. ...and like I told the lady I was leaning all over the night I got the Holy Ghost... It was the best drunk I ever had.

Esaias · #35 03-28-2016, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApostolicKitty

Well, I don't really care who thinks what, but... I have been drunk on alcohol and I got drunk in the Spirit the night I got the Holy Ghost. ...and like I told the lady I was leaning all over the night I got the Holy Ghost... It was the best drunk I ever had.

+1! Tell Rob I said hi.

Steve Epley · #36 03-28-2016, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApostolicKitty

Well, I don't really care who thinks what, but... I have been drunk on alcohol and I got drunk in the Spirit the night I got the Holy Ghost. ...and like I told the lady I was leaning all over the night I got the Holy Ghost... It was the best drunk I ever had.

Song says "I was there when it happened I guess I ought to know."

Evang.Benincasa · #37 03-28-2016, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApostolicKitty

Well, I don't really care who thinks what, but... I have been drunk on alcohol and I got drunk in the Spirit the night I got the Holy Ghost. ...and like I told the lady I was leaning all over the night I got the Holy Ghost... It was the best drunk I ever had.

mizpeh · #38 03-28-2016, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I don't believe it's scriptural. Two passages Acts 2:13 and Ephesians 5:18 are the passages used to make the case. However, Acts 2:13 says those that were mocking said the disciples were drunk. It wasn't an observation by those who were amazed at the fact that local Jews were speaking in languages from their countries of origin. The only evidence provided in Acts 2 was that they spoke in tongues. No record of falling over, stumbling, passing out, slurred speech, uncontrollable laughter.

Ephesians simply says don't be drunk with wine but be full of the Spirit. It doesn't say "be drunk with the Spirit". It isn't saying there is a parallel between being drunk with wine and being full of the Spirit.

If there is a physical drunkenness/spiritual drunkenness parallel, why don't we see people throwing up in the Spirit, getting in fistfights in the Spirit, having hangovers in the Spirit, getting in auto accidents in the Spirit, etc?

I'm not convinced there is strong scripture to make a solid case for "drunk in the Spirit". What I've witnessed in my lifetime never gave me a sense that what I was observing was bringing glory to God. Call me backslidden, a skeptic, or cynical, but I say its unbiblical.

Go to YouTube and watch videos of people drunk in the Spirit or of holy laughter or anything of the sort and you'll be convinced that this is a work of the flesh.

There is definitely a euphoria and joy unspeakable and full of glory when I've been renewed in the Holy Spirit which is similar to being drunk in the flesh but on quite another level. If there is a hangover it is an afterglow, an inner strength, a wonderful bliss that dwells within for a time.
Instead of fistfights, I've been overcome with a love that makes me want to hug everyone. I've never passed out or staggered about either, but we don't all experience the Spirit the same way.

The times I've been renewed/refilled with the Spirit, I've felt inner strength and power while at the same time my body is exhausted and wants to sleep. I've felt like I've drank from the fountain of living water that feels like fresh life to my soul.

And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit (Holman)

The "but" is making a contrast and "don't get drunk with wine" BUT "be filled by the Spirit" can indeed mean be drunk with the new wine of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2, oh my goodness, some of the on-lookers thought those praying were drunk!! When I spoke in tongues, I didn't look or act like I was drunk! This isn't just about speaking in other tongues but about the overwhelming joy of the Spirit of God indwelling a believer for the first time. Lots and lots of emotion. They were being enraptured by the Spirit.

Deacon, you're missing it completely and lumping everyone into one mold! Sloppy drunk on whiskey and heavenly drunk on the Holy Spirit have only a superficial likeness. They both may look like the person is out of control. One in good way but the other in a bad way. I've been both. I much prefer being drunk/filled with the Spirit.

ApostolicKitty · #39 03-28-2016, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias

+1! Tell Rob I said hi.

Sure will...

good samaritan · #40 03-28-2016, 08:16 PM

As a young teen I invited a friend to church. I was not right with the Lord, and was reluctant to invite someone from school for fear of what he might think. I don't remember all the details that night, but I do remember the touch I received worshiping the Lord. I surrendered in worship that night to the point that I didn't care any longer about my friend's opinion of me or my church.

Years later after falling away from God I had a bout with alcoholism. The reason I enjoyed alcohol was because of how much nerve it gave me. Most young people feel like they need alcohol for boldness to do things they would never do when they are sober. I can see a parallel to being full of the Spirit and drunk on wine. The Spirit empowers us to be and do things that we would never do on our own.

I do agree that there probably have been fakes in Pentecostal churches, but I have to say if you have totally surrendered to the Spirit of God it is somewhat intoxicating. The night that I so strongly gave myself to worship, was a night that I felt somewhat drunken. I witnessed to my friend on the way home from church with a bold love probably greater than I have ever felt.

The problem is that we don't yield ourselves enough to the Spirit of God. Christians all over live in excess, (food, wealth, entertainment, etc....) but we want to be moderate in our walk with God. We want a form, but don't believe for the power.

The friend came again after that night, and he was not scared off. Although, he is not serving God, I think some of his visits to our church had him strongly considering (almost persuaded). I am sad to say that the friend is bound up in alcohol and drug addiction. People want to get drunk and leave their troubles and cares behind them. For those who believe in the baptism of the Spirit, we can be drunken on that new wine that bringeth life.

In the scripture Jesus said who that was forgiven much would love much. I think sometimes that may be a motivator to the way some might worship God. We are entitled to our opinions, but be careful how you judge another (especially when it is in regard to their worship to God).