Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday, a day when the church remembers the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples. It is sometimes referred to as the birthday of the church, and many folks associate Pentecost with the disciples “speaking in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Hence, the association of “Pentecostal” with “speaking in tongues.”
However, we sometimes overlook that speaking in other languages communicated the gospel, told the story of God’s redemption, so that all could hear and understand. Speaking in other languages, rather than dividing, gave all who heard a shared understanding. They discovered common ground.
In this video, two pastors from Mbandaka, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I found common ground in a great hymn of the church, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, despite our differences in language.