Q: Do I have to tarry and wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
A: No. This is a religious tradition that is not correct. As you can see in the following verses:
Acts
10: 44-46 (This is about 10 years after Pentecost.) While Peter yet
spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the
word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as
many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured
out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues,
and magnify God...
And
also in Acts 19:1-3, 6 (This is about 20 years after Pentecost) And it
came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed
through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain
disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye
believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether
there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye
baptized? And they said, unto John's baptism...." And when Paul had
laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake
with tongues, and prophesied.
As
you see from the preceding verses, these believers at Ephesus had never
heard about the Holy Ghost. But when Paul laid his hands on them, the
Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with tongues. Every one of
them - without waiting, praising, or tarrying - was filled with the
Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them
utterance.
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