that is what many hold to and I think that is closer to the text meaning yet 1cor chapter 12, 13 , and 14 must be kept in context. those trying to say the gifts are no longer for today are only using once verse in chapter 13. and trying to make it say what it doesn't because a bias they have.
Here is some more thought:
I will be the first to admit that satan and his devices can mimic this wonderful gift, but those who operate in it that way bare no fruit.
1Cor. 14:2 "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
Speaking in Tongues is just simply unknown tongues to the recipient. I assure you TRUE Holy Ghost filled believers are speaking a language either known or lost language, but a language spoken on earth at one point, or could be angelic.
1 Corinthians 13:1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
Two main points of Speaking in Tongues to answer you statement (
mangled gibberish that no one understands, including the person speaking it)
1. When in services praying between you and God.
Tongues unknown to the recipient, but known somewhere on earth now or in the past or angelic. I know of someone in their own prayer time, who was overheard by someone in the congregation who knew the language being spoken in Tongues and can testify they are the wonderful works of God. So not complete gibberish.
Act 2:8-11 "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9. Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10. Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11.Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."
2. When in services spoken aloud followed by interpretation.
Tongues unknown to everyone in the congregation hints the need for interpretation.
I won't lie I do not think that is what biblical tongues is at all. I also don't believe the way it's practiced today is very glorifying to Jesus. Not that it's bad or evil necessarily, just that it's kind of pointless and chaotic. I mean what's the point in the big picture? Honestly I feel it's more likely to turn someone away than to draw them into it.
With all the false ways and misuses of the Gift can very easily stir someone new to the faith, just look for those who practice it and if they bare no fruit of the Spirit than stay away. True biblical use of the Gift will always draw people to God.
1Cor. 14:2 "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
our personal prayer language between us and God Alone (When completely Unknow to anyone i.e. Angelic language) hints the word mysteries not even Satan know what is being said.
I think what a lot of people fail to realize is, that when interpretation is Given to Unknown tongues spoken, both are operating in Speaking in Tongues. God is doing the Speaking, you are the vessel, you have the choice to yield to the Spirit or not.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14
3."But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort."
4."He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."
Those who praise God to themselves in Speaking Unknown tongues edifies (lifts up their soul), but when done with congregation silent and interpreted the entire Body of Christ is Edified/lifted up.
5."I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
Here Paul desires that everyone would be baptized with the Holy Ghost and speak in tongues. But desired them to seek the Interpretation. Because that would be the majority language of the congregation and edifies the entire Body of Christ.
6."Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?"
7."And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?"
8."For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"
9."So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air."
Those who try to be purposely heard in the congregation, speaking in tongues, are speaking into the air and foolishness if not interpreted. They are out of The Spirit's order and should keep silent to themselves.
10."There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification."
11."Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me."
There should never be confusion during a church service where everyone is Speaking in Tongues at the same time. The only exception is during a pray meeting, song service or altar call. Other than those times the Pastor should sit them down. We are in a battle for the souls of this world and sometimes get very expressive in our prayers, but we cant be silent, we are the Army of God against the forces of darkness.
12."Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church."
13."Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret."
It's great for your soul to be edified, but far great for the entire Body of Christ, than just yourself, so pray that you may interpret.
14."For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful."
15."What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."
16."Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?"
When I pray in tongues my spirit is lifted, but I don't understand the words spoken, but at the same time I don't need to, I just know my soul is being edified.
17."For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified."
18."I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"
19."Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
20."Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
21."In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord."
22."Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe."
Speaking in Tongues signifies to the unbeliever the God is True. But Interpretation of Tongues Spoken is for the edification of those already saved.
23."If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?"
Absolutely, if that is the way that Church is operating, I say yes.
24."But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:"
25."And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."
In other words, if Tongues spoken are interpreted, they bring people to their knees in repentance from a convicted heart that has been exposed before God. Now understand that the interpretation is also Speaking in Tongues, what God wants the Congregation to hear.
26."How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying."
27."If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret."
Anything else would be out of order of the Spirit and pointed out by the Pastor. And that by course means not all at once but one at a time. Anymore than three tongues spoken one is out of order.
28."But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God."
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