Supernatural experiences

[heavenslight]

I have had more then one instance in which God broke through supernaturally in my life. This was the first.

When I was 16 while at a United Pentecostal Church I was asked to kneel, extend my hands in the air
and praise God. My hands were inches away from the wall. Others were doing the same. My background was Roman Catholic but even in high school I was gravitating toward atheism or agnosticism. I had no expectations that anything would happen. Suddenly I felt what seemed like another pair of hands pressing against mine. I strongly had the impression that it was the hands of Jesus. I was told to continue to keep my hands in the air although my arms after awhile began to ache. Gradually the sensation faded and eventually disappeared.

When I told my father about the experience he told me that it had a physical explanation and occurred because my hands were extended. I imagine a psychiatrist would regard it as a tactile hallucination. However when this happens to you it has an emotional impact. Later I repressed the memory and attempted to rationalize the experience. I was inclined to empirical, scientific explanations and had difficulty accepting anything on faith, what I felt was blind faith. I believed that one needed to accept reality based on empirical evidence even if that reality was painful.

Would anyone else like to relate a supernatural encounter that they had with God?

 

[Albion]

I doubt that the experience you related was anything other than wish fulfillment coupled with a physical consequence of your posture (as you described it for us). However, this is an interesting subject, so I thank you for raising it with us, and let's see where it goes.

 

[heavenslight]

Although I respect Albion's right to his opinion on this matter, I would like to know if there are others in this forum that feel they may have had a supernatural encounter with God. I don't want anyone to feel threatened in relating their experience. I suspect that such experiences may not be that uncommon.

 

[Messy]

I was on a moped, 16 y o or so and it was horribly cold, but I had no gloves, so I put my jacket sleeves over my hands, but couldnt use the brakes now, but who cares, who needs brakes. It was cold. So a car came and I couldnt stop and I felt that my moped got pushed back. I think by an angel. Felt like that. Got healed from RSI. Do something you can't do. I slammed the floor and it was gone. I hadn't been able to do my normal work for a year. And I've seen more healings in church and in my family. One woman would often come after the church service or to just only listen 10 mins and to get free coffee and she said she was scared cause her eyes had to get operated. I said eeeww I'd be scared too. So she just got healed in church and she didn't need an operation anymore. She could all of a sudden see the letters from a banner.

 

[Lamb]

My experience was based on the Holy Spirit going through various scripture verses as I slept to explain things to me. It's why I remained Lutheran when I wanted to explore other denominations many years ago.

 

[Albion]

Although I respect Albion's right to his opinion on this matter, I would like to know if there are others in this forum that feel they may have had a supernatural encounter with God. I don't want anyone to feel threatened in relating their experience. I suspect that such experiences may not be that uncommon.

Just one thing, my friend. I didn't say that I doubted that people can and do have spiritual encounters.

What I was referring to was the particular one that you described. It took place in a non-Trinitarian church that "specializes" in that specific kind of experience. And you followed the instructions you were given about how to position yourself, etc. in anticipation of a possible encounter if you did it correctly.

There are several different reasons, therefore, for doubting that this experience was exactly what you believed it to be.

 

[heavenslight]

J bk

Just one thing, my friend. I didn't say that I doubted that people can and do have spiritual encounters.

What I was referring to was the particular one that you described. It took place in a non-Trinitarian church that "specializes" in that specific kind of experience. And you followed the instructions you were given about how to position yourself, etc. in anticipation of a possible encounter if you did it correctly.

There are several different reasons, therefore, for doubting that this experience was exactly what you believed it to be.

I had no expectation that anything supernatural would happen and there was no prepping ahead of time in order to predispose me to expect anything to happen . No one else present had anything supernatural happen to them.

 

[Messy]

Once I thought I had been raptured. I was evangelizing on a freethinker forum, really dumb thing to do, but anyway, I was praying for those ppl, angry ex christians and atheists and also for one woman there who asked if I could pray for her husband. While praying and listening to worship I all of sudden thought I was in heaven next to Jesus as part of the Bride and He said He'd take care of it. I was worried that he rapture had happened, cause my sister isn't saved yet, but I was still sitting on the couch.

 

[heavenslight]

I believe God demonstrated His existence to me by providing supernatural evidence because it was very difficult for me to accept Christianity on the basis of faith. Because of His great mercy and abundant love for me He was willing to go the extra mile and provide proof that He existed. This was also not the only supernatural experience I have had. It is far superior however to accept Jesus as your personal savior on the basis of faith alone. Proof will come as your relationship with Jesus deepens.

Even if you have not had a dramatic supernatural encounter I would still like to hear your salvation experience. May the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless all of you.

 

[heavenslight]

I was visiting the United Pentecostal Church not attending. I was not aware of any supernatural manifestations occurring at the church, nor was I expecting any, nor did I observe any. Many Pentecostal, Charismatic and some evangelical churches lift there hands in praise, worship and prayer. That is what I believe was happening.

I was not expecting anything supernatural and was surprised. No one there affirmed that it was the hands of Jesus which I felt. Because the experience was subjective it is impossible to prove that it was not an hallucination. Psychiatry and science in general are underpinned by a philosophy of naturalism and materialism which excludes the possibility of supernatural happenings and many psychiatrists would probably interpret the event as an hallucination.

I presently attend 2 churches, one in person and the other on line. Both are Trinitarian. Not long after Azusa Street there was a split among Pentecostals between Trinitarian and Oneness congregations with most Pentecostals, eg, the Assemblies of God Church remaining Trinitarian. I am not willing to completely write off Oneness churches as apostate. William Branham was partial to Oneness views although many diverse Christian groups attended his meetings. Although he had his controversies, especially in the latter years of his ministry, he manifested in an astounding way many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

At around the time of my visit to the United Pentecostal Church I was attending a small Pentecostal Church. There were never any supernatural manifestations at this church, except perhaps speaking in tongues. Later I drifted away and was close to an atheist in my beliefs. I repressed my memory of the above incident (literally forgot the incident) because it was at variance with my atheistic beliefs. Eventually the memory vividly came back and created dissonance. When I was around my early 30's other even more dramatic supernatural events occurred that included others and external, objective verification.

 

[Albion]

I was visiting the United Pentecostal Church not attending. I was not aware of any supernatural manifestations occurring at the church, nor was I expecting any, nor did I observe any.

Let's be clear about that, since it appears your post is a follow-up to the earlier one addressed to me.

You were participating in the worship service of a church that is often considered to be a cult because it does not believe in the Trinity, the normal belief of Christians both Catholic and Protestant AND as is affirmed in the Nicene Creed. It's a reasonable question whether or not God would provide such an encounter in the setting of an assembly that officially doesn't believe in Him.

In addition, although you may not have intended on receiving what you say you did receive, you were guided through the methods or ritual of that church whether or not you belonged to that congregation or even were aware at that age of the significance of it all.

In sum, all of this raises a question, that's all.

It causes some doubt, reasonably enough, about the experience you thought you had. In no way was I saying you were insincere or even that it is impossible for you to have had some kind of encounter, just that it seems doubtful to yours truly, based on what you reported to us.

Finally, I don't think you have any reason to fear that other members of the forum will feel "threatened" and so decline to reply to the issue simply because of what I've written.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Several years ago I purchased this Orthodox novel: Letters to Saint Lydia by Melissa Johnson (I highly recommend you get a copy, it's quite interesting). The saint mentioned in the title is Lydia of Thyatira, who is mentioned in Acts 16. Holy Tradition regards her as the first European to have converted to Christianity.

Anyways, I started reading the novel and I get to this passage in which it says where in the Bible she's mentioned, and I want to check out the verses in the Bible. So, I put the novel down, I get the Bible and open it and, believe it or not, it's the exact page of the verses. There were no dog ears, no bookmarks, I hadn't read that page recently, there was no reason for it to open like that, but it did.

 

[Albion]

Hi, Lucian.

Now we're taking up an experience that's not exactly what the Original Post was about, but anyway, your experience with that book reminded me of the practice of St. Francis of Assisi who believed that, if he was facing some spiritual issue, he could turn to some page and verse in the Bible chosen at random and the guidance would be there.

 

[heavenslight]

I was visiting the United Pentecostal Church not attending. I was not aware of any supernatural manifestations occurring at the church, nor was I expecting any, nor did I observe any. Many Pentecostal, Charismatic and some evangelical churches lift there hands in praise, worship and prayer. That is what I believe was happening.

I was not expecting anything supernatural and was surprised. No one there affirmed that it was the hands of Jesus which I felt. Because the experience was subjective it is impossible to prove that it was not an hallucination. Psychiatry and science in general is underpinned by a philosophy of naturalism and materialism which excludes the possibility of supernatural happenings and many psychiatrist would probably interpret the event as an hallucination.

I presently attend 2 churches, one in person and the other on line. Both are Trinitarian. Not long after Azusa Street there was a split among Pentecostals between Trinitarian and Oneness congregations with most Pentecostals, eg, the Assemblies of God Church remaining Trinitarian. I am not willing to completely write off Oneness churches as apostate. William Branham was partial to Oneness views although many diverse Christian groups attended his meetings. Although he had his controversies, especially in the latter years of his ministry, he manifested in an astounding way many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

At around the time of my visit to the United Pentecostal Church I was attending a small Pentecostal Church. There were never any supernatural manifestations at this church, except perhaps speaking in tongues, although I personally did not speak in tongues. Later I drifted away and was close to an atheist in my beliefs. I repressed my memory of the above incident (literally forgot the incident) because it was at variance with my atheistic beliefs. Eventually the memory vividly came back and created dissonance. When I was around my early 30's other even more dramatic supernatural events occurred that included others and external, objective verification.

Let's be clear about that, since it appears your post is a follow-up to the earlier one addressed to me.

You were participating in the worship service of a church that is often considered to be a cult because it does not believe in the Trinity, the normal belief of Christians both Catholic and Protestant AND as is affirmed in the Nicene Creed. It's a reasonable question whether or not God would provide such an encounter in the setting of an assembly that officially doesn't believe in Him.

In addition, although you may not have intended on receiving what you say you did receive, you were guided through the methods or ritual of that church whether or not you belonged to that congregation or even were aware at that age of the significance of it all.

In sum, all of this raises a question, that's all.

It causes some doubt, reasonably enough, about the experience you thought you had. In no way was I saying you were insincere or even that it is impossible for you to haveI had some kind of encounter, just that it seems doubtful to yours truly, based on what you reported to us.

Finally, I don't think you have any reason to fear that other members of the forum will feel "threatened" and so decline to reply to the issue simply because of what I've written.
[/QUOTQUOTE="Albion, post: 239178, member: 389"]
Let's be clear about that, since it appears your post is a follow-up to the earlier one addressed to me.

You were participating in the worship service of a church that is often considered to be a cult because it does not believe in the Trinity, the normal belief of Christians both Catholic and Protestant AND as is affirmed in the Nicene Creed. It's a reasonable question whether or not God would provide such an encounter in the setting of an assembly that officially doesn't believe in Him.

In addition, although you may not have intended on receiving what you say you did receive, you were guided through the methods or ritual of that church whether or not you belonged to that congregation or even were aware at that age of the significance of it all.

In sum, all of this raises a question, that's all.

It causes some doubt, reasonably enough, about the experience you thought you had. In no way was I saying you were insincere or even that it is impossible for you to have had some kind of encounter, just that it seems doubtful to yours truly, based on what you reported to us.

Finally, I don't think you have any reason to fear that other members of the forum will feel "threatened" and so decline to reply to the issue simply because of what I've written.

Oneness Pentecostals believe in one God that can have various manifestations which include the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They do not believe that God consists of 3 persons. I do not believe that this difference places them outside the Christian fold. Apparently you do. There is more that I can say but will refrain from doing so as I believe this could promote more debate. I believe this conversation has the potential for going on ad infinitum and has also strayed off topic. I intend on closing my participation at this point.

 

[Albion]

Oneness Pentecostals believe in one God that can have various manifestations which include the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

That's what they believe, all right. It's still an old, old heresy that the writers of the Creeds took pains to rebut. But as is often said, "there is nothing new under the Sun," so almost every heresy from the ancient world has reappeared in one or another denomination of recent origin.

They do not believe in God having 3 persons. I do not believe that this difference places them outside the Christian fold.

That's unfortunate, but I can tell that you are a thoughtful person so I can only encourage you to make a more intensive study of this matter.

I do not believe that this difference places them outside the Christian fold. Apparently you do.

Well, I referred to their belief as a heresy. A heretic is still a Christian, even if he's in error with a fundamental doctrine of the faith (which the nature and identity of God certainly is).

Other observers and theologians, however, consider that belief to qualify as "apostacy," which would mean that adherents of that non-Trinitarian belief to have renounced Christianity sufficiently enough to be considered non-Christian.

 

[heavenslight]

Several years ago I purchased this Orthodox novel: Letters to Saint Lydia by Melissa Johnson (I highly recommend you get a copy, it's quite interesting). The saint mentioned in the title is Lydia of Thyatira, who is mentioned in Acts 16. Holy Tradition regards her as the first European to have converted to Christianity.

Anyways, I started reading the novel and I get to this passage in which it says where in the Bible she's mentioned, and I want to check out the verses in the Bible. So, I put the novel down, I get the Bible and open it and, believe it or not, it's the exact page of the verses. There were no dog ears, no bookmarks, I hadn't read that page recently, there was no reason for it to open like that, but it did.

I imagine nthis might be a supernatural occurrence. Otherwise a remarkable coincidence.

 

[Messy]

Several years ago I purchased this Orthodox novel: Letters to Saint Lydia by Melissa Johnson (I highly recommend you get a copy, it's quite interesting). The saint mentioned in the title is Lydia of Thyatira, who is mentioned in Acts 16. Holy Tradition regards her as the first European to have converted to Christianity.

Anyways, I started reading the novel and I get to this passage in which it says where in the Bible she's mentioned, and I want to check out the verses in the Bible. So, I put the novel down, I get the Bible and open it and, believe it or not, it's the exact page of the verses. There were no dog ears, no bookmarks, I hadn't read that page recently, there was no reason for it to open like that, but it did.

When I just had my first baby, sometimes he would throw up milk and my ex would say it was my fault, so I felt like I was the most stupid person alive who couldnt even feed her kid. Later a nurse said it was because they don't have some thing yet in their throat, but whatever, so I complained to God and asked Him for help and I threw my Bible open and there was a text I had never even seen: even jackals feed their young. It was so funny, like come on, if even a jackal can do it, you can too.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

When I just had my first baby

First baby? Do you have several children?

 

[Messy]

First baby? Do you have several children?

I have 3 sons.

 

[heavenslight]

I was visiting the United Pentecostal Church not attending. I was not aware of any supernatural manifestations occurring at the church, nor was I expecting any, nor did I observe any. Many Pentecostal, Charismatic and some evangelical churches lift there hands in praise, worship and prayer. That is what I believe was happening.

I was not expecting anything supernatural and was surprised. No one there affirmed that it was the hands of Jesus which I felt. Because the experience was subjective it is impossible to prove that it was not an hallucination. Psychiatry and science in general are underpinned by a philosophy of naturalism and materialism which excludes the possibility of supernatural happenings and many psychiatrists would probably interpret the event as an hallucination.

I presently attend 2 churches, one in person and the other on line. Both are Trinitarian. Not long after Azusa Street there was a split among Pentecostals between Trinitarian and Oneness congregations with most Pentecostals, eg, the Assemblies of God Church remaining Trinitarian. I am not willing to completely write off Oneness churches as apostate. William Branham was partial to Oneness views although many diverse Christian groups attended his meetings. Although he had his controversies, especially in the latter years of his ministry, he manifested in an astounding way many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

At around the time of my visit to the United Pentecostal Church I was attending a small Pentecostal Church. There were never any supernatural manifestations at this church, except perhaps speaking in tongues, although I personally did not speak in tongues. Later I drifted away and was close to an atheist in my beliefs. I repressed my memory of the above incident (literally forgot the incident) because it was at variance with my atheistic beliefs. Eventually the memory vividly came back and created dissonance. When I was around my early 30's other even more dramatic supernatural events occurred that included others and external, objective verification.

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