The New Testament connects receiving the Holy Spirit with faith in Jesus: Paul writes about receiving the Spirit through instruction in faith and about believers being sealed with the Spirit. In Acts, the Spirit is received in different sequences in relation to water baptism and the laying on of hands, so these accounts do not provide one required pattern for every conversion. Tongues accompany some of these events, but the selected passages do not establish them as a required sign of receiving the Spirit.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- Acts 2:37–39: in response to the question “What shall we do?” Peter calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and promises the gift of the Holy Spirit; the promise is for you, your children, and all who are far off—everyone whom the Lord our God will call.
- Acts 8:12–17: the Samaritans believed Philip and were baptized; the apostles sent Peter and John, who prayed that they might receive the Spirit, because He had not yet come upon any of them; when they laid hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 10:44–48: while Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the word; the believers from among the circumcised were astonished that the Gentiles were speaking in tongues and magnifying God; Peter asked who could forbid water for baptizing those who had received the Spirit, and commanded them to be baptized.
- Acts 19:1–7: Paul asked the disciples in Ephesus whether they had received the Spirit when they believed; they had not even heard that there was a Holy Spirit and had been baptized with John’s baptism. After Paul explained, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, he laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
- Paul asks the Galatians whether they received the Spirit through works of the law or through instruction in faith (Gal. 3:2–5), and says that we received the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal. 3:13–14). He writes to the Ephesians that, having heard the word of truth and believed, they were sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13–14); and if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him (Rom. 8:9).
- Jesus says that the Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13).
- Conclusion: in the Epistles, receiving the Spirit is connected with faith and is given to believers, while in Acts the sequence varies—repentance, baptism, and the gift (Acts 2); baptism, then the laying on of hands and the Spirit (Acts 8); the Spirit before water baptism (Acts 10); baptism, the laying on of hands, the Spirit, and tongues (Acts 19). These accounts establish neither one required sequence nor one required sign.
- Interpretations differ: how should Acts 2, 8, and 19 be related to Acts 10 and the Epistles—as receiving the Spirit at conversion or as a separate experience afterward? The questions of “baptism in the Spirit,” gifts, and tongues are considered separately.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the “Father’s Blessing” Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
9 Scripture passages · “Father’s Blessing” Bible
Acts 2:37–39
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, brothers? 38 Then Peter said to them: Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
Acts 8:12–17
12 But when they believed Philip, who preached the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Simon himself also believed; and after being baptized, he continued with Philip. And seeing the signs and great miracles taking place, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44–48
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also, 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered: 47 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay with them for a few days.
Acts 19:1–7
1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper regions and came to Ephesus. Finding there some disciples, he said to them: 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They replied, “We have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what, then, were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One who would come after him, that is, in Jesus Christ.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in other tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Galatians 3:2–5
2 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does He who supplies you with the Spirit and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Ephesians 1:13–14
13 In Him you also, having heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and having believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance, until the redemption of God's possession, to the praise of His glory.
Romans 8:9
But you live not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Galatians 3:13–14
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree, 14 so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, and so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Luke 11:13
So if you, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Related Questions
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- Is baptism necessary for salvation?
- What does it mean to live by the Spirit?
- What is speaking in tongues?
