Drunk In The Spirit does it glorify God or the flesh?
Ever since I’ve been a part of Charismania the idea the the believers in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost were drunk in the Spirit has become almost a doctrinal distinctive of many Charismatic and Pentecostal believers. It is a concept that many teach as Gospel truth and use many times to justify the weird behavior in many of our meetings. But I must ask can the idea of being Drunk in the Spirit be justified in the Scriptures? Read the following and then give me your thoughts.
Let’s look at the Scriptures in Acts 2 and see if there is any way we can justify this Charismatic, Pentecostal teaching of being drunk in the Spirit?
Acts 2:1-8; “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come; they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?”
Note they were filled with the Spirit and everyone heard them speaking in their own language, it did not say they were rolling on the floor, or barking like a dog, they were speaking in a language, a known language not in some unintelligible language like a drunk might use. Also we must note who it was that was confused, not the believers, rather those who were witnessing this event. I challenge you to find in New Testament Scripture that anyone who receives the Spirit acted in any manner other than to glorify God. Does barking like a dog or mooing like a cow glorify our Holy God?
Acts 2:11-13: “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others were mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
Again I make note of the fact the believers who had been in the upper room were not singing drinking songs, or rolling around on the floor making animal noises, they were “speaking of the wonderful works of God!” There were some mockers present who had no discernment who said they were full of sweet wine, but we’ll see how very quickly how Peter deals with their wrong thinking. The evidence of being full of the Spirit and full of sweet wine are two entirely different things as we will see later.
Acts 2:14-15; “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.”
Some things to note in the verses we’ve just read:
1. There was NO drunken behavior mentioned only the works of God being praised in the varied languages of the crowd.
2. Only a small minority of mockers accused them of being drunk. It was not a legitimate charge, and Peter rebukes the thought.
3. Peter told them that was happening was the fulfillment of that which was spoken by the prophet Joel and Joel’s prophecy contains no reference to drunken behavior. Peter, who was under the power of the Holy Spirit not of the drunken spirit, is not at a loss for words. He preaches a clear and powerful call to repentance. The crowd was orderly enough that thousands could hear Peter and many repented and were saved.
Another verse some use to defend being drunk in the Spirit was penned by Paul in Eph. 5:18; “which tells us not to be drunk with wine, which leads to ruin, but to be filled with the Spirit.” There is a contrast here between opposites or two extremes. Drunkenness removes self control wherein the life of the Spirit produces the fruit of self-control in a believer’s life (Gal. 5:23). Paul also told us in Rom. 14:17 that the evidence of Kingdom life is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,” not partying like the pagans do! Eph. 5:19-21 reveals that the life filled with the Spirit is totally different than what we see happening on the platform of many of our revival meetings today, as we will soon see.
One other verse I’ve heard used to promote being drunk in the Spirit come out of Jeremiah 23:9-10; but if your read those verses you find the prophets feeling of drunkenness came out of his heartbreak over the spiritual condition of the nation, especially he mentioned the condition of the prophets. The prophet says he was like a man overcome with wine, because of the words the Lord had given him, not to bless Israel but to judge her. Simply put his feeling of drunkenness was certainly not a blessing to him.
The following are several verse that speak of being drunk, look them up and see if there are any that speak of being drunk as any kind of a blessing:
1. Is. 29:9-10; in these two verses the prophets and seers are mentioned and not in a good light.
2. Hosea 4:11; “Harlotry and new wine take away the understanding.”
3. Joel 1:5; “Awake drunkards and weep.”
4. Micah 2:11: I am quoting this verse from The Message:
“If someone showed up with a good smile and glib tongue
and told lies from morning to night—
‘I’ll preach sermons that will tell you
how you can get anything you want from God:
More money, the best wines…you name it’—
you’d hire him on the spot as your preacher!”
Also read the words of Christ concerning His servants who become drunkards in Lk. 12:45; 21:34.
While there are many other verses that could be added to this list I can find none that show any kind of drunkenness or drunken behavior in a good light. There is absolutely not one reference made by the 1st Century apostolic fathers about being drunk in the Spirit.
The following is a song supposedly given to a lady by Jesus. This lady was part of the Outpouring called the Toronto blessing.
Dear New Winos:
I am not a songwriter, neither the son of a songwriter, but the Lord gave me a “New Winos Drinking Song Number One”. You can sing it to the tune of “Tis the Gift to be Simple” or “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”.
See if it makes you as drunk as it makes me! It goes like this:
“If you feel too serious and kind of blue,
I’ve got a suggestion, just the thing for you!
It’s a little unconventional, but so much fun,
that you won’t even mind when people think you’re dumb!
Just come to the party God is throwing right now,
we can all lighten up and show the pagans how
Christians have more fun and keep everyone guessing,
Since the Holy Ghost sent us the Toronto Blessing!
I used to think life was serious stuff
I wouldn’t dare cry, and I acted kind of tough
Until God’s Spirit put laughter in my soul,
Now the Holy Ghost’s got me, and I’m out of control!
Now I’m just a party animal grazing at God’s trough,
I’m a Jesus Junkie and I can’t get enough!
I’m an alcoholic for that great New Wine,
‘Cause the Holy Ghost is pouring, and I’m drinking all the time!
I just laugh like an idiot and bark like a dog,
If I don’t sober up, I’ll likely hop like a frog!
I’ll crow like a rooster at the break of day,
‘Cause the Holy Ghost is moving, and I can’t stay away!
I’ll roar like a lioness who’s on the prowl,
I’ll laugh and shake, maybe hoot like an owl!
Since God’s holy river started bubbling in me,
it spills outside, and now it’s setting me free!
So, I’ll crunch and I’ll dip and I’ll dance round and round,
the pew was fine, but it’s more fun on the ground!
So I’ll jump like a pogo stick, then fall to the floor,
Cause the Holy Ghost is moving, and I just want MORE!”
The Author of this song claims the lyrics were given to her by the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe or Not! According to some articles I’ve read concerning ‘this supposed blessing’ is that worship songs were often referred to as ‘drinking songs.’ Sounds more like ‘animal house’ than a gathering of saints worshiping a Holy God, don’t you think?
