3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's
baptism.
Then in Acts 19:6 we read, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost
came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
These folks at Ephesus had not heard about being filled with the Spirit and speaking in
tongues. But as soon as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and
they spoke with tongues. Every one of them was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with
other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the utterance — without waiting, agonizing,
struggling, or tarrying.
We have read from the New Testament every instance where people received the Holy Ghost
over a twenty-year period, and there has been absolutely nothing at all in the Scriptures that
even resemble what we call "a tarrying meeting" in order to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
In every single instance where a company of believers sought the Holy Spirit, everyone
received right away. Not one went away disappointed because of failing to receive the Holy
Spirit.
If we taught this to our people today, they would receive the Holy Spirit in the same way — the
Acts of the Apostles way — the New Testament way. I have had the baptism of the Holy Ghost
more than fifty-five years, and I have never told anyone to wait or to tarry to receive the Holy
Spirit. I have always told people, "Come and receive the Holy Ghost." And I have seen people
receive Him everywhere I go to minister.
Come and Drink of the Holy Spirit
In John chapter 7, Jesus talks about receiving the Holy Ghost.
JOHN 7:37-39
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man
thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow RIVERS
OF LIVING WATER.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the
Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Jesus was not talking here about salvation, because He said speaking of salvation to the
woman of Samaria in John 4:14, ". . . the water that I shall give him shall be in him A WELL of
water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14 refers to a well, and John 7:39 refers to a
river.
What was the "river" Jesus was talking about in John 7:37-39? He was talking about receiving
or being filled with the Holy Ghost. Also, notice Jesus said, "Come and drink" (John 7:37), not
come and shout; not come and pray; not come and praise; not come and sing and then go
away empty. No, Jesus said, "Come and drink and out of your belly will flow rivers of living
water" ( John 7:37,38).