On the Day of Pentecost, something remarkable happened. The Holy Spirit was poured out just as Jesus had promised. The sound of a rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the disciples speaking in other languages drew a crowd. Peter stood up and preached a bold message about Jesus’ death, resurrection, and lordship. The people were convicted and asked, “What should we do?”
Peter’s answer still resonates today:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
—Acts 2:38–39 (NLT)
This verse outlines a simple and powerful pattern for receiving the Holy Spirit. Let’s walk through it:
1. Repent of Your Sins
Receiving the Holy Spirit begins with repentance. That means turning away from sin and turning toward God with sincerity. It’s not about perfection, but about humbling your heart and being willing to change direction.
2. Turn to God
Repentance is the first step, but you also need to place your faith in Jesus Christ. Turning to God means believing in who Jesus is, trusting in His sacrifice for your sins, and surrendering your life to Him.
3. Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus
Baptism is more than a ritual—it’s an act of obedience and identification with Christ. It’s an outward sign of the inward decision you’ve made to follow Jesus. Many in the book of Acts were filled with the Holy Spirit after being baptized, and this step shows God you’re all in.
4. Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Peter says that when we repent, turn to God, and are baptized, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t something we work for—it’s a gift. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, giving us power to live for Christ, understand the Scriptures, pray with effectiveness, and serve with spiritual gifts.
Sometimes, this happens spontaneously—other times, it involves prayer and waiting. But the promise remains: you will receive the gift.
What About the Laying On of Hands?
In several places in the book of Acts, people received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands by apostles or believers. Let’s look at a few examples:
The Samaritans (Acts 8:14–17)
“Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
- These believers had already accepted Christ and been baptized.
- But they didn’t receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John prayed and laid hands on them.
Saul (Paul) of Tarsus (Acts 9:17)
“Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, ‘The Lord… has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’”
- God used a simple disciple—not an apostle—to pray for Saul.
- The laying on of hands brought healing and the infilling of the Spirit.
The Ephesians (Acts 19:6)
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”
- After being baptized in Jesus’ name, Paul laid hands on them, and they were filled with the Spirit.
What Does This Mean for Us Today?
- God uses different methods—Sometimes the Spirit comes immediately upon belief, other times after baptism or through the laying on of hands. There is no rigid formula, only a consistent heart posture of faith and surrender.
- Laying on of hands is biblical—God often uses faithful believers to lay hands on others and pray for them to receive the Spirit. It’s not about their power, but about God’s presence and the unity of the body.
- The Holy Spirit is always a gift—Whether He comes during a worship service, in your prayer closet, or through someone praying for you, He comes as a gift to a hungry heart.
Be Open and Expectant
If you’re longing to receive the Holy Spirit, here’s what you can do:
- Repent and place your trust in Jesus
- Be baptized if you haven’t yet
- Ask God in prayer to fill you with His Spirit
- Consider asking a mature believer to lay hands on you and pray, as in the book of Acts
And trust in Jesus’ promise:
“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” —Luke 11:13
Prayer
“Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and turn to You. I believe You died and rose again to give me new life. I receive Your forgiveness and surrender to You completely. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit. Come live in me, lead me, and empower me to follow You. I receive Your gift by faith. Amen.”
The promise is for you. Don’t wait—receive the Holy Spirit today.
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