Interesting Darren. I have had those experiences as well as being "slain in the spirit" too. I believe the people passing out and screaming jibberish is some sort of demonic activity or worship of false gods. I do not recall anything in the bible that speaks of such activities. However I DO believe that God can manifest to us and overcome us with love and peace. Being overcome by God and the love that He puts out can happen at a place like that if YOU are in the right place in your head, but it's not what's genuinely happening to most of those people and I don't believe it causes one to convulse and shake and scream babble. I have noticed that I am overcome with the urge to prostrate myself and I am overwhelmed with humility when I am overcome by Him, but that's not what I experienced or have seen in a church.
Hi! KirstyD
Remember me! I suffer from what is generally called senile humour; put another way grossly out of date unfunny stuff. Am I forgiven?
But now to be serious. I agree with you wholeheartedly this business of falling on one's back and howling like wild beasts or barking like dogs only reduces the Holy Spirit of our loving God to a very low level indeed, if those blasphemers would only use their brains to consider what they are doing. The only instance of anyone falling on his back when convicted by the Holy Spirit was Eli who fell on his back and broke his neck and died. Sadly this lot make sure that no one breaks their neck by providing a nice strong pair of arms behind them to put them down gently. Why always on their backs when God requires them to fall flat on their faces beats me? What are they afraid of, spoiling their good looks?
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron," (1Tim.4:1,2).
Those days are here right on our doorstep, "The so-called Florida Revival" Liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron. These are the things we are warned against, these are the things we have to watch closely and distance ourselves from. These are signs of danger for the chosen/elect, they could be deceived as Darren has experienced. The warnings are not in the Bible for no purpose, written 2000 years ago they are all there for us, let us then put on our spiritual thinking caps and obey the Scriptures.
God bless, keep away from them do not be contaminated:
“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. And do not touch what is unclean;" (2Cor.6:17).
God bless.
Love in Christ Jesus.
Roy.
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1Jn.4:8