Is speaking in tongues a sign of being born-again?

Miller Thomas in an article for Pneuma retraces the issue on the doctrine of subsequence. He draws attention to the fact that it is not merely a modern debate among Evangelicals and their Pentecostal/Charismatic counterparts. It reaches into the roots of Roman Catholic faith, and was debated among the Wesleyans, their Puritan predecessors, and their Holiness descendants. It was a subject of contention between Keswick and Holiness teachers. “In time, it became a major issue between Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals, as well as, among Charismatics.” This paper will also evaluate views presented by various writers relevant to the discussion.

Pentecostals have always believed and taught that the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is primarily power for missionary endeavour and Christian service, states Myer Pearlman. To prove the doctrine of subsequence, Gordon Fee notes that Pentecostals go to the book of Acts and believe that the Baptism of…