Drunk in the Spirit

[deacon blues]

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.

Way more Bible for this than passing out, slurred speech, staggering, and loss of control.

[deacon blues]

In fact of self control is a fruit of the Spirit, how can one be "drunk" in the Spirit, with loss of control?

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Sarah

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!

According to SCRIPTURE the only thing they observed was people speaking in tongues. No other descriptive used about other behaviors. One must ASSUME that's what happened. Assumption is an awful way to interpret Scripture.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Experiencing great joy and celebrating that joy through praise and adoration of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is of course expected, and natural.

I have danced before the Lord until exhausted, shouted myself hoarse, and clapped until my hands were swollen, but I never once lost control of my being or faculty sufficient to say I was "drunk in the Spirit".

I think sometimes we give our control away and act in ways that the Bible does not prescribe, and attribute to the Holy Spirit. God is not a marionetter pulling our strings. We need to be active, conscious participants in what God is doing in, through, or to, us.

To say God just takes control and does whatever He wants with us without our active, conscious--AND IN CONTROL--participation creates an association I am not comfortable creating.

Really great post!

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

According to SCRIPTURE the only thing they observed was people speaking in tongues. No other descriptive used about other behaviors. One must ASSUME that's what happened. Assumption is an awful way to interpret Scripture.

And that's pretty much what I'm doing...assuming they were drunk on the spirit because they evidently acted drunk. Do you think they could be mistaken for being drunk just because they spoke another language? I really believe it was more than that...

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Sarah

And that's pretty much what I'm doing...assuming they were drunk on the spirit because they evidently acted drunk. Do you think they could be mistaken for being drunk just because they spoke another language? I really believe it was more than that...

Don't read into the text what isn't there. They spoke in the languages of everyone present, but not everyone there knew each language being spoken.

[berkeley]

Ever hear a drunk babble?

[good samaritan]

Do you believe the Lord controls the tongue when you are filled with the Holy Ghost?

If God doesn't, what is supernatural about the experience?

We can give control to God. I am not saying everyone doing the helicopter or running and jumping are being controlled by the Spirit. If someone says they got lost in their worship, why demean their experience? The lady with the Alabaster box was rebuked by her peers, but Jesus said she did a good thing.

We don't see a lot of that OT Pentecostal stuff at our churches any more, but there seems to be a lot more carnality in the church in place of. A lot less shouting in the church, but plenty of it at Monday night football. if I took a pole to see who all missed church for Super Bowl Sunday it may be saddening.

If someone is going bezerk in the Church then I think some Spiritual and loving people should speak to them in meekness to correct their behavior. We get liberty from the Spirit of God and I think that great joy and liberty is overwhelming to the worshiper. That is probably why so many respond in the way they do. They are not possessed, but truly there is a loss of control. Maybe some on here should try it sometime.

[berkeley]

It is supernatural because God gives you the ability.

If God CONTROLS the tongue why did Paul correct the Corinthians with the use of spiritual gifts? If God controlled it wouldn't the use of tongues have been decent and in order?

[good samaritan]

Do you think you can be filled with the Holy Ghost and not speak in tongues? If the baptism of the Holy Ghost means we receive the ability to speak in tongues then some could choose not to use the ability and still be filled with the Holy Ghost.