Experiencing Power: Possession by the Holy Spirit

In the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) church, the concept of spiritual power is conveyed not only through ritual texts of prayers and visions but also through the personal experience of possession by the Holy Spirit, which underscores these understandings. While spirit possession has been extensively studied in small-scale societies, it has rarely been related to the study of the Spirit in African Initiated Churches (AICs) or Pentecostal churches. The case of Aladura, which emerged from a Yoruba ritual tradition into Christian monotheism, invites comparisons and suggests connections between developments in the conception of the possessing power and individuals' experience of their changing society.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Although the ritual texts of prayers and visions communicate the concept of spiritual power, it is not words alone that convince the members of C&S of the reality of the Spirit and of its multiple meanings. It is when the power of the Holy Spirit possesses the bodies of the spiritualists that these understandings are underscored by personal experience. Although much has been written on spirit possession in small-scale societies, this has rarely been related to the study of the Spirit in AICs or Pentecostal churches. The case of Aladura, emerging from a Yoruba ritual tradition into Christian monotheism, invites comparisons. It also suggests connections between developments in the conception of the possessing power, and of individuals’ experience of their changing society.