Were the Gentiles speaking in tongues at Cornelius's house talking to God?
No. The Gentiles at Cornelius’s house were speaking known languages to fellow men, not to God. They magnified God in the presence of the seven Jews and the household members. There was no unknown language or guttural sound; it was speaking languages.
Les explains that when the Jews who came with Peter heard the Gentiles at Cornelius’s house, they knew the Holy Spirit had been poured out because they heard them speaking with known languages and magnifying God. Les asks whether they were talking to God and answers no. They were talking to fellow men and magnifying God in the presence of these Jews, as well as the members of the household of Cornelius. Les points out there was no manifestation of an unknown language or a guttural sound; it was speaking languages. This was the second time the Holy Spirit was manifested by giving the gift of speaking more language than what they normally lived with. The first time happened to Jews in Acts chapter 2, strictly to the Jew; the second time happened to a whole house of Gentiles; the third and last time in Acts is in chapter 19 to another unique little group.
More Questions
How did the Gentiles in Acts 10 show that the Holy Spirit had come upon them?
The Gentiles at Cornelius's house had believed, and the Holy Spirit came upon them evidenced with tongues, which was a manifestation that the Holy Spirit had come upon them.