What is the Toronto Blessing?

Answer

The Toronto Blessing is an alleged outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the members of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship Church, previously known as the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church. On January 20, 1994, a Pentecostal pastor named Randy Clark shared his testimony at the church, describing how he would become “drunk” in the Spirit and uncontrollably laugh. In reaction to this testimony, the congregation experienced chaos, with individuals laughing, growling, dancing, shaking, barking like dogs, and even becoming paralyzed. These occurrences were believed to be manifestations of the Holy Spirit within them. The church’s pastor, John Arnott, described it as a significant Holy Spirit celebration. The term “Toronto Blessing” was coined, bringing the church into the global spotlight.

However, when this “blessing” is examined in light of Scripture, it is challenging to categorize it as such. Nowhere in Scripture is there any precedent for the events that transpired at the Toronto Airport church. The closest biblical reference to the paralysis and unusual behavior associated with the Toronto Blessing is the symptoms of demonic possession as documented in Mark 9:18.

The Toronto Airport church gained a reputation for the emotional outbursts and peculiar psychological manifestations of its members. Pastor Arnott began to focus predominantly on “the Holy Spirit party.” Experiences started to take precedence over Scripture. This shift was even too extreme for the highly charismatic Vineyard Movement, leading to the severance of ties with the Toronto Airport church in 1995, resulting in the name change to Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.

A believer’s attention should be on Jesus Christ, the “author and perfecter of our faith” «looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

», (Hebrews 12:2), not on oneself, one’s experiences, or even the Holy Spirit. The Toronto Blessing focuses on the latter, to the detriment of biblical faith. Believers can have joy, dance, sing, and even shout to the Lord. However, when a worship service turns into a chaotic scene of convulsions, seizures, and uncontrolled outbursts—all attributed to the Holy Spirit—something is amiss. The church should be characterized by adherence to the Word of God «All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: », (2 Timothy 3:16), rejoicing «Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. », (Philippians 4:4), and “reasonableness . . . known to everyone” «Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. », (Philippians 4:5, ESV).