I believe in speaking in other tongues (here and here). In a recent Facebook conversation I noted that many young Pentecostals are minimizing tongues-speech as a sign of the Spirit. I was asked, “In your opinion are the young Pentecostals minimizing tongues or are they pushing back on the position that without tongues there is no Holy Spirit indwelling?
There are many reasons. Some are pushing back on an over emphasis of tongues-speech; or abuses which leaders have failed to correct for fear of quenching the Spirit. Leaders should understand that failure to correct abuses is to quench the Spirit. I must admit that it’s difficult to defend tongues-speech as a sign of the Spirit when many tongue-speakers are devoid of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22f). Also, Pentecostals would do well to remember that an inspired, biblically informed sermon is to be preferred over public tongues-speech that is not properly discerned and interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:1ff).
Some are pushing back because they have embraced a seeker sensitive model which discourages public displays. In many congregations tongues-speech and other physical demonstrations are discouraged in public worship. Seeker sensitive proponents should heed the words of Paul: Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). After all, there will be “signs following believers” including tongues-speech (Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 14:22). These signs should be encouraged in proper order in public worship (1 Corinthians 14:40).
And yes, some are pushing back because they have issues with the doctrine of tongues-speech as the initial evidence of Spirit baptism. As one young Pentecostal minister explained: “I know many young men and women who are passionate about Christ and are very gifted in ministry, but they have never spoken in tongues.” Another pointed out to me that Billy Graham is one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived, but has never spoken in tongues. It is ironic that many of the great preachers of the Faith could not be credentialed in Pentecostal churches because of this qualification. We should remember that A. J. Tomlinson, the first general overseer of the Church of God was elected to that position before he spoke in tongues. Even so, the first Pentecostals recognized his anointed leadership and elected him to lead the church. Likewise, contemporary Pentecostals must find a way to acknowledge the diversity of ministry gifts among all Christian leaders.
All of these reasons compel us to have serious conversations about the way forward for Pentecostalism. Proponents of classic Pentecostalism fear the questions younger ministers pose. I don’t. Young Pentecostal pastor/theologians are dedicated to the teaching of Scripture and serious about revisioning Pentecostalism for a new century of mission. With that said, I must point out that no one can deny that tongues-speech, as a sign of the Spirit, is universal throughout the renewed church – Roman Catholic through Mennonite. To diminish the profound effect of the Pentecostal renewal, including tongues-speech, would be to make a serious mistake.
Please allow me to offer a word of caution to young Pentecostals – honor your mother and father. It is a common misconception that early Pentecostal leaders were unlearned and naïve. They were not. If you spend time reading them, you will discover that many of them had a good grasp of the theology and history of the church. They knew that God was doing something wonderful in their midst and they worked to present a Pentecostal theology that was true to the movement of the Spirit. Also, they were very concerned to discern the various demonstrations of the Spirit in order to protect the integrity of the movement. Yes, they made some mistakes; but they were quick to acknowledge their mistakes and move on. Although tongues-speech was considered a universal sign of the Spirit among early Pentecostals (and Charismatics), there was some disagreement as well. As Pentecostal denominations began to write their creeds, most codified speaking with other tongues as the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Before we reject their verdict, we must try to understand why they made their theological judgments. In other words, before we speak, we must listen and learn. Then we can move forward in the Spirit.
