Dancing in the Spirit

FuegoPentecostes · Apr 26, 2012

For starters, this is my first thread, and may I say I love this site so far. ^.^

Anyways, I'm still sort of new to the Pentecostal sect of Christianity. I agree with the majority of it's teachings and practices, I am aware of speaking of tounges and other spiritual gifts however I do not believe tounges is necessary for salvation.
Can someone please explain to me clearly and with scripture what is dancing in the spirit? My mother (a Pentecostal) taught me that when she was young, there were those who danced in the spirit and danced in the flesh in her Church. Dancing in the flesh was looked at as wrong, however dancing in the Spirit was a great gift. Although she calls it a gift, or sometimes the promise, I cannot find dancing in the Spirit anywhere in Corinthians or Acts, where most of them are listed. I know dancing was a form of worship and praise (with King David as a prime example) however I never see the Bible describing what my mom and other Pentecostals say occur in their churches. They say that the Holy Spirit completely fills them - it nearly takes total control. They uncontrollably dance, sometimes in jerking, violent spasms that to me look dangerous . . . however no one truly dancing in the Spirit every apparently gets hurt.
I did indeed believe at one time I was able to dance in the Spirit and that that was my gift, however I'm still confused, since I don't see Spirit dancing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes spontaneously spasm and jump and dance in a very intense state during Church - is this just strong emotion or is it the work of the Holy Spirit?? I've even heard other sects of Christianity say it is the devil that is making people shake or jump or dance, while Pentecostals believe they are being lead by the Holy Spirit of God!!!
I'm very confused on this subject
God Bless

tturt · Apr 27, 2012

Welcome to the forums!

For there to be the fake, there has to be the authentic. When the dancing is from Yahweh, it will be fine for church. Also, dancing can be done during our private prayer times. Musical instruments aren't mentioned in the NT either so we can look to the OT to see what was established,
Psalm 149:3 "Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Pssalm 150:4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs."

LinkH · Apr 27, 2012

Not all gifts are specifically enumerated in scripture, IMO. God is sovereign and there are a variety of ways He can work in our life.

I've heard that idea that dancing in the Spirit is good, but choosing to dance before the Lord is bad. I disagree with that. I can't find a really clear cut case of 'dancing in the Spirit' in scripture, but I can find plenty of evidence in the Old Testament for willfully dancing before the Lord. David danced with all his might. It sounds like he was trying to do it. If a Psalm tells people to dance, they probably have to choose to obey it.

Laura Phillips · Apr 27, 2012

I like to do it in my car and entertain people at stoplights and reduce their road rage and really bless them. I have been practicing for a while now and am really good at it, I got some smooth moves, ace! theres no shame in dancing in the spirit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just go crazy dude let it fill you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]! it feels so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like to thrash around on my floor crying out and have my boyfriend watch.
my albino parakeet like it too.

FuegoPentecostes said:
For starters, this is my first thread, and may I say I love this site so far. ^.^

Anyways, I'm still sort of new to the Pentecostal sect of Christianity. I agree with the majority of it's teachings and practices, I am aware of speaking of tounges and other spiritual gifts however I do not believe tounges is necessary for salvation.
Can someone please explain to me clearly and with scripture what is dancing in the spirit? My mother (a Pentecostal) taught me that when she was young, there were those who danced in the spirit and danced in the flesh in her Church. Dancing in the flesh was looked at as wrong, however dancing in the Spirit was a great gift. Although she calls it a gift, or sometimes the promise, I cannot find dancing in the Spirit anywhere in Corinthians or Acts, where most of them are listed. I know dancing was a form of worship and praise (with King David as a prime example) however I never see the Bible describing what my mom and other Pentecostals say occur in their churches. They say that the Holy Spirit completely fills them - it nearly takes total control. They uncontrollably dance, sometimes in jerking, violent spasms that to me look dangerous . . . however no one truly dancing in the Spirit every apparently gets hurt.
I did indeed believe at one time I was able to dance in the Spirit and that that was my gift, however I'm still confused, since I don't see Spirit dancing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes spontaneously spasm and jump and dance in a very intense state during Church - is this just strong emotion or is it the work of the Holy Spirit?? I've even heard other sects of Christianity say it is the devil that is making people shake or jump or dance, while Pentecostals believe they are being lead by the Holy Spirit of God!!!
I'm very confused on this subject
God Bless

SOLDIER &#10084; · May 17, 2012

FuegoPentecostes said:
For starters, this is my first thread, and may I say I love this site so far. ^.^

Anyways, I'm still sort of new to the Pentecostal sect of Christianity. I agree with the majority of it's teachings and practices, I am aware of speaking of tounges and other spiritual gifts however I do not believe tounges is necessary for salvation.
Can someone please explain to me clearly and with scripture what is dancing in the spirit? My mother (a Pentecostal) taught me that when she was young, there were those who danced in the spirit and danced in the flesh in her Church. Dancing in the flesh was looked at as wrong, however dancing in the Spirit was a great gift. Although she calls it a gift, or sometimes the promise, I cannot find dancing in the Spirit anywhere in Corinthians or Acts, where most of them are listed. I know dancing was a form of worship and praise (with King David as a prime example) however I never see the Bible describing what my mom and other Pentecostals say occur in their churches. They say that the Holy Spirit completely fills them - it nearly takes total control. They uncontrollably dance, sometimes in jerking, violent spasms that to me look dangerous . . . however no one truly dancing in the Spirit every apparently gets hurt.
I did indeed believe at one time I was able to dance in the Spirit and that that was my gift, however I'm still confused, since I don't see Spirit dancing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes spontaneously spasm and jump and dance in a very intense state during Church - is this just strong emotion or is it the work of the Holy Spirit?? I've even heard other sects of Christianity say it is the devil that is making people shake or jump or dance, while Pentecostals believe they are being lead by the Holy Spirit of God!!!
I'm very confused on this subject
God Bless

Agreed... I believe it's also not necessary. It's a gift of the spirit that should be looked for, but it doesn't mean that if you don't have it you not saved. Look for it, seek the lord and ask him for it, but in the word it doesn't say that you need it to be saved. It is a gift of the spirit. Read 1 Corinthians 12,13,14...easy reads.

stormdancer0 · May 17, 2012

LinkH said:
Not all gifts are specifically enumerated in scripture, IMO. God is sovereign and there are a variety of ways He can work in our life.

I've heard that idea that dancing in the Spirit is good, but choosing to dance before the Lord is bad. I disagree with that. I can't find a really clear cut case of 'dancing in the Spirit' in scripture, but I can find plenty of evidence in the Old Testament for willfully dancing before the Lord. David danced with all his might. It sounds like he was trying to do it. If a Psalm tells people to dance, they probably have to choose to obey it.

I agree. David danced with all his might before God. It is totally dependent upon WHY you are dancing.

ltwin · May 18, 2012

FuegoPentecostes said:
For starters, this is my first thread, and may I say I love this site so far. ^.^

Anyways, I'm still sort of new to the Pentecostal sect of Christianity. I agree with the majority of it's teachings and practices, I am aware of speaking of tounges and other spiritual gifts however I do not believe tounges is necessary for salvation.

It's a good thing you don't believe that tongues are necessary for salvation, because Pentecostal doctrine does not teach salvific tongues. Pentecostals teach that tongues are the initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism (which is not the new birth but an enduement with power to serve Christ and witness about him).

FuegoPentecostes said:
Can someone please explain to me clearly and with scripture what is dancing in the spirit? My mother (a Pentecostal) taught me that when she was young, there were those who danced in the spirit and danced in the flesh in her Church. Dancing in the flesh was looked at as wrong, however dancing in the Spirit was a great gift. Although she calls it a gift, or sometimes the promise, I cannot find dancing in the Spirit anywhere in Corinthians or Acts, where most of them are listed. I know dancing was a form of worship and praise (with King David as a prime example) however I never see the Bible describing what my mom and other Pentecostals say occur in their churches. They say that the Holy Spirit completely fills them - it nearly takes total control. They uncontrollably dance, sometimes in jerking, violent spasms that to me look dangerous . . . however no one truly dancing in the Spirit every apparently gets hurt.
I did indeed believe at one time I was able to dance in the Spirit and that that was my gift, however I'm still confused, since I don't see Spirit dancing as a gift of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes spontaneously spasm and jump and dance in a very intense state during Church - is this just strong emotion or is it the work of the Holy Spirit?? I've even heard other sects of Christianity say it is the devil that is making people shake or jump or dance, while Pentecostals believe they are being lead by the Holy Spirit of God!!!
I'm very confused on this subject
God Bless

I have danced in the Spirit, and have seen it in my church. I was never taught that it was a gift, as in one of the spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are for service. Dancing with the Spirit is fine as an act of worship, but I don't really see how it serves the church, other than as evidence that the Spirit of God is at work in the church.

My understanding is that it is simply a manifestation of the Spirit's presence. Just as people are slain in the Spirit sometimes, dancing in the Spirit is just the result of God's manifest presence resting strongly on someone so that they dance under the Spirit's influence.

This Assemblies of God statement on Modern Day Manifestations of the Spirit states about dancing in the Spirit:

Dancing in the Spirit. Dancing in the Spirit must be clearly distinguished from social dancing and from choreographed or orchestrated dancing, even if the latter were to take place in the church sanctuary. Instances of dancing in the Spirit, as seen in the 20th century Pentecostal revival, have generally involved a single participant spontaneously dancing with eyes closed without bumping into nearby persons or objects, obviously under the power and guidance of the Spirit. But again, this manifestation by itself is not an indication of greater spirituality, or a pattern that all worshippers are to seek. If the experience happens, it is because the worshipper has become so enraptured with Gods presence that the Spirit takes control of physical motions as well as the spiritual and emotional being.

The biblical account of David dancing before the Lord is not an example of dancing in the Spirit. Scripture says David danced before the LORD with all his might (2 Sam. 6:14), thus describing the personal joy and thanksgiving that David consciously expressed to the Lord. Based on this account in Scripture, some contemporary charismatic churches have instituted orchestrated and rehearsed dancing as part of the worship service. Traditional Pentecostals, like those in the Assemblies of God, regret the replacement of an edifying, spontaneous, beautiful manifestation of the Spirit by a humanly planned and executed natural dance. Some justify choreographed dancing in the worship service as a restoration of the Old Testament Davidic dance; however, such teaching selectively omits the unrehearsed spontaneous manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit that represents a higher expression of worship.

Notice that the statement stresses that while the experience is a legitimate one, it is "not an indication of greater spirituality, or a pattern that all worshippers are to seek." I would recommend that you read the entire statement (it isn't long) which you can find by googleing "Assemblies of God Manifestations of the Spirit" or by searching the Assemblies of God USA's website.

stormdancer0 · May 18, 2012

I love watching choreographed dances to the Lord. It absolutely IS worship.

ltwin · May 18, 2012

stormdancer0 said:
I love watching choreographed dances to the Lord. It absolutely IS worship.

Choreographed dancing in church can be worship. BUT its not the same thing as dancing in the Spirit.

JRSut1000 · May 18, 2012

So from what i gather, I think people are saying there is dancing before God simply because we want to or we've planned it or God told us to. BUT it can be dancing in the SPirit too. Many times when we are doing something for God, He fills us as we do it. So why not dancing too?

ltwin · May 18, 2012

JRSut1000 said:
So from what i gather, I think people are saying there is dancing before God simply because we want to or we've planned it or God told us to. BUT it can be dancing in the SPirit too. Many times when we are doing something for God, He fills us as we do it. So why not dancing too?

Having grown up in a church where both "dancing in the Spirit" and choreographed/planned dancing occurs, I would say that dancing in the Spirit is not simply deciding to dance and then God fills you as you do it. Most of the time what happens is that someone is just praising God and the Spirit suddenly just comes upon them and the result is dancing. The person doesn't think about the movements at all. This is the big difference. Dancing in the Spirit, as understood by classical Pentecostals, is NOT directed or thought of in advance by the person. If you are really dancing in the Spirit then everything about it will be spontaneous.

Now our church does have dance teams that worship God through dance, but it would never be equated with dancing in the Spirit. It would be like equating being slain in the Spirit with deciding on your own that you are gonna lay on the floor, close your eyes and listen to worship music while you pray. One is being yielded to and controlled by the Spirit, while the other one is doing something in your own power to glorify and connect with God.

JRSut1000 · May 18, 2012

I know for a fact there are Pentecostals that do that too (fall on the floor out of choice).

ltwin · May 18, 2012

JRSut1000 said:
I know for a fact there are Pentecostals that do that too (fall on the floor out of choice).

Yeah but in that case they are pretending that it was spontaneous. I know there are people who fall down on their own. Sometimes it is a courtesy fall because they don't want the minister to lose face. Other times its people who just want to seem spiritual and mislead people. This is wrong; a person should fall down from the power of God, not on their own.

But that isn't what I was referring to in my example above.

What I was saying was that calling choreographed dancing "dancing in the Spirit" would be like saying that simply praying while laying spread out on the floor was being slain in the Spirit. One is spontaneous, the other is someone just laying on the floor and praying. The same for dancing. One is spontaneous dance. The other is planned. We shouldn't confuse the two.

JRSut1000 · May 18, 2012

I guess that makes sense, I guess I dont see the need for huge distinction because God can definitely be in both! (spontaneous and planned worship)

ltwin · May 18, 2012

JRSut1000 said:
I guess that makes sense, I guess I dont see the need for huge distinction because God can definitely be in both! (spontaneous and planned worship)

Yeah, but I think the biggest problem came from people calling choreographed dancing "dancing in the Spirit." This made people nervous because it essentially changed the nature of what dancing in the Spirit means and replaced a spontaneous act of worship with a planned one.

After all, "dancing in the Spirit" literally means to dance IN the Spirit. If you are dancing the electric slide while the praise team sings "Blow the Trumpet in Zion" (true story), its still the electric slide, sorry honey. Some people get offended when that is equated to dancing in the Spirit.

I think the solution is to value and make room for both. But do recognize that there is a clear difference between someone dancing under the anointing and someone just dancing because they feel like it (which isn't a bad thing).

Kensington7 · May 18, 2012

JRSut1000 said:
I know for a fact there are Pentecostals that do that too (fall on the floor out of choice).

Maybe they are ducking as to not get hit when the Holy Spirit comes down?

Kensington7 · May 18, 2012

I've yet to experience true joyous praise and worship to the LORD without bouncing or jigging a bit. I have never said "I will got to church and dance today", but it happens when the Praise music begins.

But, I imagine if they played "When the Saints go Marching in" while I was shopping in the grocery store, I would bounce around a bit.

Nikos7 · May 19, 2012

The only dancing or worship I agree with is in the Spirit. Everything is to be done at the direction of the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit includes worship of all kinds. I wouldn't want it any other way. I am not interested in seeing a bunch of people dancing in the flesh. I can see that out in the world. We have something better. We move in the Spirit in all things. This is pleasing to the Lord!

awakeningekklesia · Jun 2, 2012

In the Hebrew there are multiple words for praise. One of which means "a physical celebration"

When the bible talks about David dancing that's the Hebrew word that is you

People using the term "dancing in the spirit" -chew on this. When David danced before the Lord it says he dance with all "his" might

Nikos7 · Jun 2, 2012

God uses our physical faculties to work through. We are to yield to the Spirit.

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