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What, then, should believers do to receive this mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit?

1. First, believe that it is “for you ... for all” (Acts 2:39 ), not just for a select few.

2. “Repent and be baptized, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ). The baptism in the Holy Spirit is for Christian believers. Be sure that you are “right” with God, that you are born again by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It is also important to be baptized in water (vs. 38), although it is certainly possible, as at Cornelius’s house, to be filled with the Spirit before water baptism (Acts 10:47-48 ).

3. Remember who the Source of the baptism in the Spirit is — that is, Jesus Christ. In all four Gospels Jesus is called the One who “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 3:16 . See also Mark 1:8 , Luke 3:16 , and John 1:33 ). Look with faith to Jesus, the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit.

4. Hunger and thirst for this Holy Spirit anointing of “power from on high”. Let Paul’s command — “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18 ) — be the cry of your heart. From a repentant and faith-filled heart that is forgiven and “right” before God, look to Jesus for the baptism with the Holy Spirit, expecting Him to grant it as a free gift. You can’t earn it; that’s why it is called “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ). It is yours to receive. Remember the Ephesian disciples of Acts 19:1-6 . They knew the Lord, yet Paul asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They had not, so Paul instructed them further in the things of the Lord, then laid hands on them, and they “received” and spoke in tongues (vs. 6). You too can receive.

5. There are many ways to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Be open to God to fill you with the Holy Spirit in any context which He places before you.

• At the first Pentecost (see Acts 1:14 with Acts 2:1 ), those who received were gathered together, apparently in prayer. It was a group setting into which the Lord sovereignly poured out His Spirit. • At Cornelius’s house (Acts 10:44 ), right in the midst of Peter’s anointed sermon they were all baptized with the Spirit. • In Ephesus (Acts 19:6 ), they received the baptism with the Holy Spirit through the laying on of Paul’s hands. • The variety is obvious. You can receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit in any of a number of ways:• Another believer lays hands on you and prays for you to receive. This is how the apostle Paul was filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:17 ). • You may be all alone in your room, or even alone driving your car down the road. I know several people who were filled with the Spirit in one of those ways. • You can be in a church meeting, where preaching and prayer and worship bring faith to a high level, and you receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit after responding to the preacher's invitation. This is how I received in 1971. • In sum, anywhere that you find yourself, in an atmosphere of love and worship and seeking after all that the Lord has for you, you can receive!

The Pentecostal baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today! It is “for you”! Like those in Jerusalem, in Ephesus, and at Cornelius’s home, like the apostles Peter and Paul and the other disciples, you too can be filled with the Spirit, speak in tongues, and receive that “power from on high” to be Christ’s witnesses wherever you go.

If this message has stirred your heart today, find a quiet place before the Lord. Allow worship of Him to spring up within your heart. And ask Him, “Lord, pour out upon me today that mighty Holy Spirit baptism.” He is faithful. Expect Him to fill you with His Spirit. Expect to speak forth in tongues as the Holy Spirit enables you. Or if you prefer, go and ask one or more other Spirit-filled believers to pray for you to receive. And you will, because it is “for you”!