Speaking in tongues

Abstract

"One of the most dramatic features of the story of twentieth s;entury global Christianity has been the rise and expansion of the Pentecostal movement. Wherever the movement is found the subject of speaking in tongues comes to the fore. Pentecostals all over the world consider genuine speaking in tongues! as "languages unknown and unlearned by the speaker and for the most part not understood by the hearers either. 11 2 Pentecostals differ, however, as to what role speaking in tongues play in worship. Two positions can be identified on this. First, Sundkler writes "Pentecostal churches whether they are lead by Europeans or Africans are definite on the gift of speaking with tongues. The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is indicated by the initial physical sign of speaking with tongues, as the Spirit of God gives them utterance. ,,3 Horton supports this when he also writes "it is inconceivable that a supernatural experience like the baptism should exist without a distinctive supernatural evidence. Tongues is that necessary evidence. ,,4 These statements clearly support the idea that tongues must accompany baptism in the Spirit."