Can you define what they were doing in Acts 2?
Yes, they were preaching the Gospel to the Jews that had come from different countries for Pentecost.
Named here are the different regions:
Acts 2
King James Version (KJV)
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Hence the different languages spoken by these Jews.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Pardon me for this, Awaken, but you say...
It was the noise abroad that drew the crowd.
"noised abroad" refers to the fact that what was happening traveled through the grapevine quickly, rather than there was a "noise" which drew them to investigate.
Being foreign speaking Jews, they were amazed to hear them preaching...in their own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
As I am sure you have heard before, Galileans were not necessarily known for their scholarship. The same diminutive view can be seen here of the Lord:
John 7:14-15
King James Version (KJV)
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
What cannot be mistaken is that the "tongues" that the disciples speak are...known languages. When reading 1 Corinthians 14, give attention to the plural and singular in the translation, a witness to the theological ability of the KJV translators.
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.
They heard them speak in their own languages.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
The fact is this: all that were being preached to were...unbelievers. While they believed in God and were faithful to attend the (mandatory) event, they had yet heard the Gospel, they were not born again, and were therefore not believers according to the New Covenant standard.
Others mocked.
What follows is the delivery of the Gospel resulting in salvation:
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
What were the ones doing that were speaking in different languages?
Preaching the Gospel in a language which was understood, which is necessary for the word of God to be delivered.
Paul tells us what unbelievers' reaction will be if they come in and all "speak with tongues," but concerning understanding the word let's first look at this:
1 Corinthians 14
King James Version (KJV)
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.
Paul does not say they will "edify themselves," nor that they speak to God, but that they speak into the air. In other words, their speech becomnes meaningless and is of no benefit to anyone, which is not the purpose of the gift of tongues.
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?
And this is true.
Consider why:
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.
Without question, tongues are for a sign to unbelievers.
Prophecy here is not limited to foretelling future events, but refers to "speaking forth the word of God." So for believers, the speaking forth of the word is beneficial. It will also benefit unbelievers. But consider now closely how it is that Paul is saying that speaking in tongues is meant for unbelievers, yet, if unbelievers come into the church and all speak with tongues they will think them mad.
Again we look at the plurality of tongues in this chapter, here, it is a plurality of people speaking them, as opposed to the singular gift of tongues. As we saw in Acts 2 known languages were heard by those not yet having received the Gospel. But for what purpose would this be if there was a multitude of people "speaking in tongues" in the church?
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.
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.
The rebuke in this chapter is, if you are speaking unintelligibly, you are are not doing that which is beneficial...to anyone. And we will have to touch on vv.2-4 at another time, as I am out of time.
Who were they speaking too?
To those that were in need of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Remember they were speaking before the crowd gathered. It was the noise abroad that drew the crowd.
It was the reaction that resulted that drew them, not the noise.
Other than Acts.. how was it for the unbelievers?
Being mentioned in two books only, we see Acts 2 establishing what it is, and 1 Cointhians establishing what it is not.
Just as those that spoke foreign tongues in Acts 2 miraculously heard the Gospel, even so, this is the New Testament Standard which align with mediating the New Covenant rather than the pagan practice the Corinthians would have been familiar with.
How was it to be a sign to unbelievrs?
It was a miracle. Tohear something spoken and understand it when, as evidenced by the question, "Are these not Galileans?" shows they did not expect the disciples to be familiar with 17 foreign languages.
Would you say prayer is edifying?
Absolutely. But I will pray with my mind and my spirit, and when I pray, both I and the Lord will know the content, lol.
Would you say spending time with God in prayer would build yourself up in your spirit?
Absolutely, but do not confuse the fact that we are to be built up in the faith with that our edificication should be self seeking. In 1 Corinthians, it is the edification of the Body of Christ, not the individual, which is in view.
These questions are the ones I had to answer when I was searching this out...
Completely understandable. I know that many embrace this issue differently, and it is one that raises tempers and hurt feelings.
I will be glad to speak with you on this topic but I warn you, I will not be party to emotional responses, but will address the issues from God's word only.
And I hope you also will feel the same way.
God bless.