4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the
people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul didn't tell these disciples to pray that God would give them the Holy Ghost. The Bible
says, ". . . the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts
19:6).
Notice also Acts chapter 8 which occurred some years after the Day of Pentecost.
ACTS 8:14,15
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had RECEIVED
THE WORD OF GOD [concerning salvation ], they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might RECEIVE the
Holy Ghost.
The apostles didn't pray that God would give the Samaritans the Holy Ghost. They prayed that
they might receive the Holy Ghost: "Then laid they their hands on them, and they RECEIVED
the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:17).
God hasn't given the Holy Ghost to anyone since the Day of Pentecost, but people have
received Him. The Holy Ghost is already here for believers to receive.
Step Number 2
Show the person who has come to receive the Holy Ghost that anyone who is saved is ready
to immediately receive the Holy Spirit.
ACTS 2:37,38
37 Now when they [the unsaved multitude who gathered as a result of the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit and to whom Peter had preached quoting Joel's prophecy] heard this,
they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Verse 38 shows us that anyone who is saved is immediately ready to receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Some people think there are certain things they have to do to qualify to receive the baptism of
the Holy Spirit. For example, some think they have to make restitution for past sins. One fellow
in east Texas once said, "I had to return a pig that I had stolen before I could get the Holy
Ghost."
It is true that sin which has not been confessed can hinder people from receiving the blessings
of God. However, if folks are saved and walking in fellowship with God, they couldn't possibly
be any cleaner than they are right then. Once we confess our sins, the blood of Jesus Christ