The New Testament Teaching on 'Tongues' - Lester L Grabbe - February 1975

Lester L Grabbe

A "tongues movement" is sweeping the religious world. Once confined to a few "fundamentalist sects," it now finds adherents in almost every denomination, including some of those considered the most staid and traditionalist. Is glossolalia a real manifestation of the Holy Spirit as in the days of the apostles? Here is the answer from both biblical and linguistic research. GLOSSOLALIA - coined from the Greek words meaning "tongue-speech" - was once confined to the scattered, small, usually emotion-charged meetings of "Pentecostal" groups. But the last few years have changed that picture entirely. From Catholic to Lutheran, Baptist to Presbyterian to Episcopalian, one finds enthusiastic believers in the "gift of tongues." Laymen and clergy alike participate. There are still many who oppose "speaking in tongues." But the number of those who actually experience the phenomenon is growing constantly, while the total of nonparticipants who favor tongue speaking also continues to swell. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library