Yes
2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification.
1 Corinthians 14:2-5 NASB
39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid people to speak in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:39 NASB
No
8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
1 Corinthians 14: 8-9 NASB
Intro
The critic suggests that there is a Bible Contradiction with regard to speaking in tongues: Yes, the Bible encourages speaking in tongues, but not in all occasions as there are some conditions for a proper use of this gift.
Conflicting texts?
A contradiction seems to be felt in the two following texts:
“Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues,” (1 Corinthians 14:5)
“So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken?” (1 Corinthians 14:9)
Unfamiliarity
However there is a clear misunderstanding in the critic’s mind, certainly due to his unfamiliarity with the phenomenon.
Speaking in tongues is a way of praying in sounds unintelligible (in the first instance) to the one who prays and to others who are listening (1 Corinthians 14:2, “who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands …”). So it was only permitted in the New Testament Church if the one who prayed in tongues also gave a rendering in normal words (“unless he interprets, so that the Church may receive edifying,” 1 Corinthians 14:5 ).
Conclusions
– Yes, it was/is very good to pray in tongues in a non public setting without giving a rendering in normal words.
– Yes, in New Testament times it was very good to pray in tongues in a Church environment with also a rendering in normal words.
– No, in New Testament times it was unacceptable to pray in tongues in Church without giving a rendering in normal words, as nobody could understand it.
All things in the Church should be done properly and in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 14:40).
No Bible Contradiction
Additionally
1. (Speaking in tongues) Christians in New Testament times (and also many today) were acquainted with this gift of the Holy Spirit: uttering unknown sounds. To understand this we have to think of the function of uttering unintelligible sounds by a child, not uncommon when it is playing on its own. A parent hearing the child understands that the child is in a good mood and will not disturb its play. The unknown sounds are a sign of happiness. In prayer one can glorify God also with sounds like that, as the Holy Spirit connects Himself with this way of praying if one concentrates the mind on the Lord.
2. (Speaking in tongues) As this is speaking to God, it is a misunderstanding that special divine messages are given to the listeners (prophecies) by speaking in tongues. It is also a misunderstanding that speaking in tongues can change a situation. It can change the one who prays. It is also a misunderstanding that this gift is a condition to become a Christian, which is only by a personal acceptance of Jesus as Savior and Lord (Colossians 2:6).
3. (Impact of speaking in tongues) As it is a form of prayer – in the first place glorification of God – this gift brings forth happiness and power to the one who practices it. And so it is said: “Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues,” (1 Corinthians 14:5). When in a bad mood one will often produce depressive words in prayer. However when one starts to praise God in unknown sounds one doesn’t know what one says, but the Spirit knows and makes His words out of these sounds. By that He is uplifting the soul unto God.
4. (Interpretation) It is also a misunderstanding that there should be in New Testament times an interpreter in the Church different from the one who prays in tongues, as it is clearly stated: “Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:13) If the one who has prayed in tongues expressed his new feelings of joy in his own words, he gave the rendering (or what is called translation). (1 Corinthians 14:27 should be translated: 'If someone speaks in a tongue—by two or at the most three, and in turn—also (that) one must interpret.') The person who did so in Church could be called in short interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:28, 12:10).
5. (Different languages) It is not necessary that different (existing) languages are revealed in the gift of speaking in tongues, as in Acts 2:11 “We hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God.” Therefore Paul discriminates between the tongues of man (languages) and the tongues of angels, unknown sounds, that are uttered in this gift (1 Corinthians 13:1).
6. (Diversity of tongues). It seems that the normal way is speaking in unknown sounds that can change into an existing language on a special occasion. This seems to be meant by various kinds of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12:10.