God tells us that those who believe on Christ should receive the Holy Ghost.
At Pentecost 3,000 were converted and baptized, and when Peter had preached the second time, the number of converts (Acts 4:4) was about 5,000 men. When Peter and John were released they went to their own company of believers; "and when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." Acts 4:31, 32.
If those who were converted under the fire of pentecostal preaching needed also to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, do not we need it?
Paul was converted on his way to Damascus, and three days later was baptized with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:17. If Paul, who was so miraculously converted, needed also to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, do not all preachers need it?
If those who were converted under the preaching of the Spirit-baptized Philip, needed also to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, do not those converted under modern preachers need it? What can we possibly have more than Philip had?
Need I say more? The apostles preached, first repentance and baptism, and afterwards the baptism with the Holy Ghost, which, as a rule, was sought and obtained in the public assembly, and on this basis was the church of Christ firmly established.
Do you not often feel that something is wanting in your breast? Do you not recognize that vacuum which the Spirit alone can fill? Do you not sometimes feel when you pray, that all is not right in your heart, and do you not yearn for that peace which passeth understanding? That is the Spirit of God knocking for admittance. Rev. 3:20.
How long will we, who profess the name of Christ, urge sinners to repent, while we ourselves reject the plain command, "Be filled with the Spirit"? Eph. 5:18.
How long shall we continue to give a mental assent to the baptism with the Holy Ghost, and deny it before the world by our lives? How long?
