It is the conviction of the present writer that the broad, general answer is a clear—“No”. Those communities which claim the name “Pentecostal” are far removed from the communities pictured in the Acts of the Apostles and letters of Paul. It is easy to dismiss the matter from the mind, perhaps indulge in a little scoffing, and leave the matter there. But the easy way is not the right way. The right way demands that we know something about this problem, because it is a major problem; and if we are to witness the truth of the Gospel effectively, we must become far more aware of the problems which are generated by the “cult” of tongue-speaking which is sweeping through much of the religious world.
Many books are rolling off the religious presses arguing for and against the precepts of the modern Pentecostal movement. Many of the orthodox church leaders are uncertain and perplexed. They see their own communities losing strength, and in contrast they see the Pentecostals growing, blossoming and overflowing. Many are welcoming into their congregation those who introduce Pentecostal ideals and practices. Some soon regret this as their churches are torn asunder as many of their members sense there is something unwholesome about it and resent its intrusion.
An example of the books which reflect the uncertainty of orthodox circles is one by Douglas Webster.¹ In his preface he states “Without doubt the emphasis of the Pentecostal Churches on the Holy Spirit is a corrective gravely needed by the historic churches”; but then admits “there are serious difficulties in accepting all the Pentecostal teaching about the Spirit, more especially in regard to speaking with tongues.” He goes on to give a few facts on the phenomenal growth in the movement. In Chile, for example, it is reckoned that there are now one million Pentecostals in a population of seven and a half millions. The movement only began there in 1909! In Brazil and other parts of South America the expansion is similarly astonishing. The church feeling the greatest effect is undoubtedly the Roman Catholic Church, which for so long has completely dominated religious affairs in that Continent.
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Author: David Caudery
Keywords: Pat Boone, Tongues, tongue speaking, Foreign tongues, strange tongue, strange language, New tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Interpretation, Foreign languages, Pentecost, Filled with the Spirit, spirit gifts, spiritual gifts, Speaking in tongues, Glossolalia, Pentecostal, Pentecostalism, Catholic Pentecostals, hypnotism, hypnotize, hypnotise, hypnotized, Catholic Apostolic Church, Irving, Edward Irving, latter rain outpouring, Robert Baxter
Bible reference(s): Isaiah 28:11, Matt. 24:24, John 4:48, Mark 16:17, Acts 2:3, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:11, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:30, 1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 14:2, 1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 1 Corinthians 14:6, 1 Corinthians 14:9, 1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:14, 1 Corinthians 14:18, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 1 Corinthians 14:21, 1 Corinthians 14:22, 1 Corinthians 14:23, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, 1 Corinthians 14:39
Source: The Believer, Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 1972.
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