BRAZILIAN PENTECOSTALISM

Gossolalia as an external evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit

Abstract

Glossolalia consists of the supernatural experience of speaking in strange tongues unknown to human languages. The purpose of this article is to consider the Pentecostal view of glossolalia as evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it will be considered the position of the largest Brazilian evangelical denomination, “Assembleia de Deus”, on this subject. Then, the biblical-theological basis of the doctrine will be discussed and, finally, the Brazilian Pentecostal experience in relation to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues will be considered in particular. It is concluded that glossolalia can be understood as a mystical-religious experience that carries with it a character of ineffability.