This video is from a service at MorningStar Ministries (founded by Rick Joyner) in Fort Mill, South Carolina. A Google search on “Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey” quickly shows that although recently posted, it has received a lot of attention across the internet. It marks just one of the latest in a long string of “manifestations of the Holy Spirit”  – which are clearly neither biblical, nor the work of the Holy Spirit, whatever the real explanation.

(Note: I am working on a higher quality video that I hope to post in the near future.)

MorningStar is a fairly well-known Charismatic ministry, particularly known for its emphasis on “miraculous healings.”

From the MorningStar website, in their statement of faith, we find the following concerning the present work of the Holy Spirit through spiritual gifts:

On the Present Ministry of the Holy Spirit
We believe that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) and that His ministry in and through the church by the Holy Spirit has not changed from the beginning. We accept, acknowledge, encourage and seek all of the biblical gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit as present and vital for the church to accomplish her full purpose today.

Hebrew 13:8 is commonly cited as a proof-text that the miraculous sign gifts are still in operation today. However, this is both a misunderstanding of the verse and, I would suggest, is a disingenuous use of the verse because all Christians recognize that this can only refer to his unchanging character and not to the ministry of Christ.

Jesus’ character was the same both before and after the incarnation, yet his earthly ministry was completely different than his ministry in the Old Testament before he became a human through the Virgin Birth. His ministry in and through the average believer was significantly different before and after his crucifixion and after the day of Pentecost. His ministry after the day of Pentecost, in the present age, is significantly different than what his ministry will be during the Millennium after his return and when he will be ruling and reigning from the Throne of David in Jerusalem. Therefore, even if God were continuing to give the miraculous sign gifts today, Hebrews 13:8 does nothing to support this view.

12 Comments
  1. Yes, this is the same old same old that crops up generation after generation, always touted as God doing a “new thing.” Fifteen years ago, these same charlatans were promoting “being drunk in the Spirit.” People stumbled around their services supposedly intoxicated by the Spirit of God. Some of the charlatans even called themselves “God’s bartenders.”

    The path of following Jesus Christ does not lead to a bar or to a hokey pokey or to falling on the floor laughing uncontrollably. It leads to the cross. It leads to what Paul described as the “loss of all things for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ.” It leads to being poor in spirit, mourning, meekness, and hunger and thirst for righteousness.

    So stop doing the hokey pokey and do what Jesus said: Take up the cross and follow.

  2. So…um, if this Holy Spirit Hokey Pokey was scriptural, wouldn’t Jesus have been doing this in the Bible? Um, hello? The first word is “hokey”…and I think it’s the key word here.

    Healing? Jesus is a COMPLETE healer…not a partial healer. This is utter blasphemy….

    I agree with Hugh Vickery – stop doing the hokey pokey and do what Jesus said “Take up the cross and follow…”

    God Bless.

  3. Maybe this is not the Holy Spirit doing this, but as said in the Video, maybe just a form of Hypnosis. Hypnosis can and does promote healing of the mind and body if used correctly due to the power of suggestion and faith, or belief that healing is being done. Do not become so Legalistic in your Doctrine that you discount real Medical Breakthroughs that even the Cancer Treatment Centers of America can use and does use to help heal and prevent cancer.

    Mind-body medicine explores the influence of your mind and emotions on your body and immune system, and vice versa.

    The Doctor might patch up an accident victim, but it is the body that heals itself. I believe that God has put that healing quality in all of us and sometimes that aspect can be enhanced if we have know how, have more faith, or are more open to the power of suggestion which can be viewed as hypnosis or belief that the healing is taking place.

    Whether a healing is done in front of a crowd of gawkers at a special Church Healing Session or in a quiet Ward Room at a Hospital, or at Home – thank God that He does and will still perform Miracles and Healings still today.

    Some Church Pastors can carry a concept or idea a little too far sometimes; people make mistakes, but these people might just benefit from this so-called Hokey Pokey song – so they attribute any benefit they get to God, I see nothing wrong here.

    • Rickey, Thanks for your comment.

      The issue is not whether this is hypnosis works or not, which is still largely debated. And if this video had been about the “Hypnosis Hokey Pokey” it wouldn’t matter what they did. However, to specifically attribute to the immediate work of the Holy Spirit these things which more closely resemble pagan religious practices is a significant problem.

      You note that hypnosis should be used correctly and then seem to be suggesting that what they are doing is doing just that. This seems to be a rather odd conclusion.

      I have no doubt that the Lord has so designed the creation such that the body is able to heal itself – which is exactly what happens any time we have a cut, an infection, a bruise, etc.

      Then you move from the suggestion that they are possibly using hypnosis correctly to bring about healing and to the suggestion that God is doing a miracle through the Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey. I’m not sure I follow your logic in this.

      I’m not sure how testing claims about God with the Bible is being legalistic. In fact, we are commanded to do exactly this – test the claims of those who would claim to be doing things in the name of God.

      This issue with what they are doing is part of a much bigger package that is causing a large segment of Christianity to be permeated with deception. There is much wrong with that.

  4. You have no integrity anyone can trust if you cannot post replies that do not agree with your position on a topic.

    I noticed that you still have not posted my reply to your Hokey Pokey article.

    Anyway, hypnosis is a valid Medical treatment.

    It is too bad you don’t allow all positions for replies to be posted, that shows that you only hear views that you like which as already states, shows you have no integrity – for Biblical issues or any other issues.

    Posts my last reply to restore my faith in your honesty and integrity because only cults will not consider other views.

    Rickey

    • Rickey,

      I think it is unfortunate that you jumped to the wrong conclusions concerning why I did not initially allow your original comment to post.

      In fact, yours is only the 3rd post in 9 months that I had held (as I recall).

      My reason was that it was actually a fairly extreme position and I just didn’t want to go down the road of interacting with this line of thought. But to demonstrate good faith I have posted both it and this one.

      I think your comments here were unfortunate.

  5. This is Foolishness and these people are making a mockery out of the Holy Spirit. They all need to stop this immediately and repent of this nonsense.
    And as for hypnotism, I personally don’t think it has any value or legitimate use for a Christian. Hypnotism is a gateway for demonic spirits into one’s life.

    I’m not trying to stir the pudding or agitate others but I think it’s tiring that Christians are supposed to be tolerate of these New Age practices moving into Christian churches today.

    I know tolerance is a hallmark of Christianity but we’ve got to draw a line at sin in the house of God.

    • Dennis,
      Thank you for your thoughts. I agree that what is being done in this video is more than simply foolishness.

      I wish there were more men of national prominence with large audiences of listeners who would deal with this and related issues publicly. As it is, most of the work that I am aware of is being done by a few scattered writers with readership in the hundreds to a few thousand, rather than the much-needed tens of thousands.

  6. I have seen GOD do amazing things… Worship is a special place, unfortunately this is an abomination to God and the Holy Spirit.. Got healed doing the hokey pokey? DO you or Morning Star know what the origin of the hokey pokey? It is Hocus Pocus – Witchcraft! Think about it, you gather around in a circle (pentagram) and the last verse, you step into it and turn yourself around…
    Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

    • Joseph,

      Thank you for taking time to comment.

      You do realize that the purpose of my post was to denounce the hokey pokey?

      Dave

  7. Could this be witchcraft? This does not glorify our Holy God.
    Is this opening those involved for demons?

    • Possibly – although I don’t know how likely that might be.