摘要：This article addresses a subject which has been the center of extensive debate both within the Pentecostal movement itself, and (particularly) in debate and dialogue with non-Pentecostal groups. The most heated debate has no doubt been between Pentecostals and Evangelicals, particularly in those societies in which both groups enjoy numerous adherents, and can boast well-developed teaching and academic institutions and structures. North America is a good example of such a society. The perspective offered here is Southern African. However, Pentecostalism is sufficiently diverse at this end of the African continent to urge caution on any scholar claiming to offer the definitive position on the issue. I have also chosen to term it Southern African rather than South African, since the histories of the sub-continent's various countries and Pentecostal groups nevertheless reveal significant commonalities. Since no detailed study of this matter has been made by Pentecostal scholars in this region before (certainly none of which I am aware, nor which is commonly known), I am including insights and knowledge gleaned from my own personal ministry in South Africa (SA), Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and from contacts with the Namibian, Botswana, and Zambian churches
