Resting in the Spirit

[Nat2]

I’m really confused - How do you explain resting in the spirit to a protestant? I was having a discussion with my Baptist friend who didn’t understand. Is there really scriptural evidence for this being the Holy Spirit working in your body? Or is it just something that your mind makes your body do because you want it to happen?

 

[Nita]

I’m Catholic - but I’m not sure just what you mean when you use the expression “resting in the Spirit”. Is there a Scripture passage or Catechism passage that you could give that would clarify what you are referring to?

(eg. Are you referring to the peace/reconciliation that results between God and man at Baptism? Or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that comes at that time and/or at Confirmation? Or are you referring to the times we experience an emotional sense of peace resulting from a time of closeness with God in prayer — or sometimes just out of the blue, when God decides to bestow it on us?)

Thanks,
Nita

 

[Nat2]

Well, I was at youth group retreat and that’s the name they gave the experience when someone was praying and was so close to God that they collapsed and remained in an un-conscious state for an indefinite amount of time. (It happen during Adoration) But the thing is EVERYONE was doing it. I had never heard of it before then and I did it. I would love to believe that I was the Holy Spirit…but I not sure anymore.

 

[Della]

Nat2, the only scriptural reference that might apply says nothing about “resting in the Holy Spirit” or “in the spirit”:

Hebrews 4
[9] So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God;
[10] for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his.
[11] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience.

What quote did you have in mind?

 

[Nat2]

I didn’t have a quote in mind…I was just trying to figure out if this was a legitimate happening in the eyes of the Church, and if so, is there evidence that would help me explain it to a protestant?

 

[Della]

I didn’t have a quote in mind…I was just trying to figure out if this was a legitimate happening in the eyes of the Church, and if so, is there evidence that would help me explain it to a protestant?

I’m assuming a Protestant you know has used this expression and you don’t understand what s/he means by it? If so, you’ll have to ask him/her what s/he means before we can give you a Catholic response.

 

[Nat2]

No, I actually was the one resting in the spirit and I was wondering how to explain it…sorry for the confusion.

 

[Jude_Smith]

Well, do you have any memory of when you were unconscious? Did it effect any change in you?
I have heard this called “slain in the Spirit” also, unless that is something different. I cannot claim to have any knowledge or understanding of it.
If you don’t mind my asking, what caused you to choose a quote from Luther as your signature?

 

[Della]

No, I actually was the one resting in the spirit and I was wondering how to explain it…sorry for the confusion.

I wondered because that is an expression used by charismatics and Pentecostals to describe being “slain in the spirit”. At least, that’s the only way I’ve ever heard it used.

What do you mean by it?

 

[Nat2]

Well, do you have any memory of when you were unconscious? Did it effect any change in you?
I have heard this called “slain in the Spirit” also, unless that is something different. I cannot claim to have any knowledge or understanding of it.
If you don’t mind my asking, what caused you to choose a quote from Luther as your signature?

I personally never was unconscious - I couldn’t breath as I was on the floor, so it wasn’t a very peaceful experience for me, but I have been greatly changed by it.

Oh, dear! I didn’t realize it was a Luther quote…I though one of my friends made it up…oops…I’ll go change it. Thank you!

 

[Jude_Smith]

I personally never was unconscious - I couldn’t breath as I was on the floor, so it wasn’t a very peaceful experience for me, but I have been greatly changed by it.

Oh, dear! I didn’t realize it was a Luther quote…I though one of my friends made it up…oops…I’ll go change it. Thank you!

Well, the fact that Luther said it (in defiance of Papal authority, as I recall) doesn’t make it evil. I just wondered why you chose it, that’s all.

 

[Nat2]

I wondered because that is an expression used by charismatics and Pentecostals to describe being “slain in the spirit”. At least, that’s the only way I’ve ever heard it used.

What do you mean by it?

I think that’s the same thing, but I did it with a Catholic youth group and my Baptist friend didn’t understand and said that it sounded wrong to him.

 

[Jude_Smith]

Maybe it was just low blood sugar…

 

[Jude_Smith]

I personally never was unconscious - I couldn’t breath as I was on the floor, so it wasn’t a very peaceful experience for me, but I have been greatly changed by it.

NAT2:

OK, in what ways have you been greatly changed? What are the fruits in your life? That’s how we can recognize the Spirit at work, isn’t it?

 

[Della]

I think that’s the same thing, but I did it with a Catholic youth group and my Baptist friend didn’t understand and said that it sounded wrong to him.

Okay, now it makes sense to me. Baptists (as a rule) don’t believe in the charismatic gifts of the Spirit. Some go so far as to call them demonic. Sounds like he’s never heard of being “slain in the Spirit”, which is understandable since his faith community doesn’t teach it or believe in it.

It’s also not a Catholic phenomena apart from the charismatic movement, so you’re not going to be able to explain it to him in terms of traditional Catholic devotion. And he’s not very likely to be open to it in any case since as a Baptist it’s not acceptable to him.

 

[Nat2]

Nat2;4755375:

I personally never was unconscious - I couldn’t breath as I was on the floor, so it wasn’t a very peaceful experience for me, but I have been greatly changed by it.

NAT2:

OK, in what ways have you been greatly changed? What are the fruits in your life? That’s how we can recognize the Spirit at work, isn’t it?

After that retreat I have been a happier person and more open to the Lord. I started being proud of my Faith and I started debating with my friends about so of the things I had never had the courage to talk to them about - like swearing in Church. I also have been more open since then to God’s love and I have been able to share that love with the people in my life, especially my parents.

 

[Nat2]

Okay, now it makes sense to me. Baptists (as a rule) don’t believe in the charismatic gifts of the Spirit. Some go so far as to call them demonic. Sounds like he’s never heard of being “slain in the Spirit”, which is understandable since his faith community doesn’t teach it or believe in it.

It’s also not a Catholic phenomena apart from the charismatic movement, so you’re not going to be able to explain it to him in terms of traditional Catholic devotion. And he’s not very likely to be open to it in any case since as a Baptist it’s not acceptable to him.

I think he actually did use the word satanic… Ok, thanks anyway

 

[Marie_Duffy]

Jude Smith;4755410:

Nat2;4755375:

I personally never was unconscious - I couldn’t breath as I was on the floor, so it wasn’t a very peaceful experience for me, but I have been greatly changed by it.

After that retreat I have been a happier person and more open to the Lord. I started being proud of my Faith and I started debating with my friends about so of the things I had never had the courage to talk to them about - like swearing in Church. I also have been more open since then to God’s love and I have been able to share that love with the people in my life, especially my parents.

How wonderful! This must be a good thing; does it really matter what we call it? Or whether you can explain it fully? Get used to things you can’t explain to other people’s satisfaction.

 

[Della]

I think he actually did use the word satanic… Ok, thanks anyway

Yeah, he’s not open to hearing about it. And, as a Catholic it’s really not important that you try to explain it to him. Sometimes it’s better just to let things drop.

 

[Nat2]

Nat2;4756581:

Jude Smith;4755410:

How wonderful! This must be a good thing; does it really matter what we call it? Or whether you can explain it fully? Get used to things you can’t explain to other people’s satisfaction.

Yeah, he’s not open to hearing about it. And, as a Catholic it’s really not important that you try to explain it to him. Sometimes it’s better just to let things drop.

Thank you all so much! This really did help