What is Speaking in Tongues? (1/2)

I'm thinking I should take the Q&A approach to this blog. I think by doing that, it will allow the information I provide to be remembered easier, being it is written as an "answer" to a specific question that many will inevitably have. Alright, introductions aside, here is the question.

"What is speaking in tongues?"

I will try to explain this as best I know how.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine." 
-Acts 2:1-13

-The gift of tongues was a sign that was displayed by God for the purpose of letting the Jews know that the Holy Spirit has arrived (to fulfill that the purpose of the Holy Spirit is no longer just a helper but an "in-dweller," and no longer temporary but permanent.) just as Jesus Christ has promised. It was in no way meant to be taken as an indication that speaking in tongues was the sign that you have the Holy Spirit.

-The gift of tongues was an existing language that was not known to the person speaking it. The people were confounded at the fact a bunch of people from Galilee were speaking in not only their native languages, but with a perfect accent. As I mentioned in a previous blog, some modern day Christians use this verse as evidence for people doing wacky things. They say "People wouldn't think they were drunk if they simply spoke in another language. They must have looked drunk." To which I would reply "Then why were they confounded at what they saw?" I don't know about you but I am not in a position of not knowing what to think when I see a drunk person. I automatically know they are drunk. Personally, I believe they were confounded because every single Galilean was speaking every single language mentioned, at the same time. If you read the KJV wording, you'll see what I mean.

Acts 2 ABSOLUTELY does not teach anything other than God fulfilling prophecy in giving people languages to speak to one another. You can not use Acts 2 to justify any nonsense that people do in the church, because none of that stuff is in the Bible. If you try to justify actions based on Biblical SPECULATION instead of facts and principles, then you're flat out wrong already. That's like me living my life based on what I believe Jesus drew in the sand in John 8. It is just speculation, holding no ground.

Now that Acts 2 has been clarified, we can move on to 1 Corinthians 14. In this chapter of scripture, Paul addresses the SAME speaking in languages gift, but explaining guidelines for it's usage within the church. Reading the entire 40 verses, you come to one theme. Edification.

The Bible however does not teach the existence of a "prayer language." Paul was addressing the actual gift of tongues and the correct usage of it.

Continued in Part 2.