Problem: The tarrying experience, as often practiced in Charismatic circles today, is described as follows:
The tarrying procedure for seeking tongues goes like this: Following the sermon, the preacher invites those who want the tongues experience to come to the altar and kneel. Then those who already have received this experience join the seekers to pray with them and offer help and advice. In a relatively short time, some of the seekers begin talking in tongues. For others, it is a much longer ordeal. In an evening service, it is not unusual for seekers to pray until after midnight, even though few of the “altar workers” may remain. And if a seekers doesn’t succeed on this particular night, he is encouraged to keep trying. I tarried many nights; I spent many hours in prayer at altars but no matter how long I prayed, I went without success. [Wayne A. Robinson, I Once Spoke in Tongues, pages 37-38.]
Solution: Biblical tarrying is quite different. It is found in only two passages:
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but TARRY ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT [tarry–same word as in Luke 24:49] for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4).
The word TARRY simply means to WAIT. Prior to Pentecost the disciples were told to WAIT for the promise of the Spirit. Once He came on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) the waiting period was over. In the Bible we find no command to wait or tarry for the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.
Suppose you go to the airport to wait for the arrival of certain family members whom you love. You may wait for some time at the airport, but once the plane arrives the waiting time is over. Your loved ones have come and it is time to enjoy their presence. So also, the Comforter has come. How foolish to wait for Him to come if He has already come! Let us enjoy His blessed Person and Presence and Power (Acts 1:8).
