The Pentecostal Movement and the Gift of Speaking in Tongues

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III




The Pentecostal Movement and the Gift of Speaking in Tongues


The most outstanding characteristic of the Pentecostal movement is that the Pentecostals believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit (other than the baptism of water and the Spirit). This is what the Pentecostals and their followers the Charismatic group in Egypt call for, as it is clear from their books without them declaring it. They call this matter 'Spirit Baptism' or 'Filling of the Holy Spirit'.
Pentecostalism The Pentecostals and the Charismatic group think that the most distinguished characteristic of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, of this descent and fullness of the Holy Spirit is to speak with tongues. Speaking in tongues, in their opinion, is the first sign that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why, in joining a new member to their group, the Pentecostals and the Charismatic group strive to make him or her speak with tongues so as to resemble the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost.
Following the teachings of their advisors, the Pentecostals and the Charismatic group place great emphasis to the gift of Speaking in tongues as if it were everything, whether the tongues are intelligible or not. In most cases, if not in all, the tongues are just meaningless voices.
What is the teaching of the Holy Bible about the gift of
Speaking in tongues?