In the book of Acts, we see that over a recorded period of approximately thirty years, the early believers received the Holy Spirit after they heard the gospel and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, about 30 A.D., about a hundred and twenty believers, followers of Jesus, received an outpouring of the Spirit that came upon each person— “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” They were so joyous and liberated in speaking of the wonderful works of God, onlookers thought they were drunk on new wine. Three thousand people were saved that day. Acts 2: 4, 11-12, 26, 28, 41
Some years after Pentecost, the Samaritans were saved and baptized in water through Philip’s preaching. Peter and John came later and prayed that they might receive the Spirit. They laid hands on them, and Simon, the sorcerer, saw evidence that they had received. Acts 8
About nine years after the day of Pentecost, Saul, who was later re-named Paul, encountered Jesus and submitted his life to Him, becoming a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was three days in prayer and fasting. Ananias had a vision in which the Lord sent him to Saul to restore his sight, and that he be filled with the Spirit. It does not say here that he spoke in tongues, but we know that he did because he stated to the Corinthians, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” Acts 9; 1 Corinthians 14: 18
About ten years after the day of Pentecost, the household of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as they heard the gospel being preached by Peter. Those of the household of Cornelius spoke in tongues and magnified God just like the believers did on the day of Pentecost. They were then baptized in water in the name of the Lord. Acts 10
About twenty years after the day of Pentecost, the Ephesian believers received the Holy Spirit when the Apostle Paul laid hands on them. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19
In the Bible, people believed on Jesus, then received the Holy Spirit.
Twenty years after Pentecost, Paul asked the Galatians if they had received the Spirit by keeping the law or by the “hearing of faith.” Paul was refuting some legal-minded, law-keeping preachers who were influencing them toward keeping the law. The point he was making is that believers are to receive the Spirit by believing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, apart from any works of the law. The Spirit is received by faith. Believers can be filled with or baptized in the Spirit by faith. Receiving is not by doing any kind of works or striving. The Holy Spirit is a free gift to those who hunger and thirst for all God has for them, and who ask for Him in faith! Galatians 3:2; Luke 11: 5-13
The Holy Spirit is here and available to all believers now. He was given to the church on the day of Pentecost. He can be received anywhere, anytime someone believes the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing the gospel is receiving Jesus as Lord, the Ruler over all, and as Savior come in the flesh, and as Christ, the One Anointed by the Spirit of God.
Receiving Jesus as a gift, by faith, is receiving the eternal life of God. Receiving the Holy Spirit, by faith, is receiving the supernatural power of God with the supernatural evidences of tongues, prophecy and liberated praise to God. God’s goal and design is that we speak out and become the voice of God in the earth today. This is to bring souls into the kingdom and nourish them in the kingdom of God, and bring about truth, righteousness and justice.
The kingdom of God, with healing and the operation and manifestations of the Spirit, is a gift of God’s mercy and grace to His little flock. It all operates by faith, for the purpose of bringing souls into the kingdom to the glory of God the Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 12: 32; 1 John 5: 11-12; Acts 11: 14-18
The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit. He works with the world, but He only comes to dwell in and rest upon blood-washed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 14: 17
In the Scriptures, there is a clear difference in believing to be born again, and believing to receive the gift of the Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit is an experience after being born again, after we believe in Jesus as Lord and Christ. With the new birth we receive life; with the gift of the Spirit we receive power. 1 Peter 1: 22-23
Scriptures clearly show this experience subsequent to salvation is called “receiving the Holy Spirit,” “being filled with the Spirit,” or being “baptized with the Spirit.” Acts 2: 4; Acts 8: 14-17; Acts 9: 17; Acts 10: 47; Acts 19: 1-6
By the Spirit-led presentation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, belief for forgiveness of sin and the fullness of the Spirit can happen simultaneously. Having sins forgiven and being filled with the Spirit, are by people hearing the gospel and believing. This is clearly seen as Peter preached to Cornelius’ household. Acts 10: 34-48
Every believer can, and needs to receive and be filled, with the Holy Spirit, the Bible way. This is with supernatural power and with supernatural evidence. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the open door to a supernatural life and ministry. The baptism of the Spirit is given to bring every church, the whole Body of Christ (Ephesians 4: 7-16), into the full operation of the Spirit with supernatural power to win the lost with healing power. We see this in the life and ministry of Jesus, and we see it in the life and ministry of the early church. It is to be the “norm” for every church today. Acts 2: 4
We are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to submit all our life to Him as Lord over all. We are to receive Him in total identity with us, as Savior-come-in-the-flesh, to forgive and take away all our sins. We are to receive the same anointing and fullness of the Holy Spirit as is upon Jesus. With this, we can live in the eternal life and power of God here and now.
This is the good news that God has revealed in the earth today. By believing this gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, by repenting, by turning from sin and dependence on the flesh, and by calling on the name of the Lord in faith, we can receive the life and power of Jesus Christ in our life in every way.
New believers are to be baptized in water to put action to their faith, showing total identification with the Lord Jesus Christ. We all are to put action to our faith to follow Him and do all of God’s will in our life. In this way we can live out the gift of abundant life that Jesus has promised in His Word. With this abundant life, there will be the fruit of eternal souls snatched from Satan’s supernaturally blinding grip, and brought into and established in God’s eternal kingdom. This is the reward, the inheritance, that Jesus receives for laying His life down for all mankind. Bringing souls into the kingdom is the heartbeat of the Father.
Receive the Holy Spirit the Bible way. Share the heartbeat of the Father to supernaturally bring souls into, and establish them firmly in, the eternal kingdom of God, all for His eternal glory forever. Amen! 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 10: 10; John 3: 16