How to Receive the Holy Ghost
Receiving the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest experiences a person can have—it is the indwelling of God’s Spirit, the fulfillment of God’s promise, and the essential second part of the New Birth. This experience is not reserved for a select few; it is available to everyone who believes and obeys the Gospel.
The Promise is for You
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached a powerful message that concluded with this invitation:
“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.” — Acts 2:38
He then declared:
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off…” — Acts 2:39
This promise is still being fulfilled today!
Step 1: Repentance
The first step toward receiving the Holy Ghost is genuine repentance. This means turning away from sin and surrendering your heart fully to God.
- Acknowledge your sin (Romans 3:23)
- Ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
- Commit to a new direction (Acts 3:19)
Repentance prepares the heart as a holy vessel for the Spirit of God to dwell in.
Step 2: Faith and Expectation
Receiving the Holy Ghost is an act of faith. Believe that God desires to fill you:
“He that cometh to God must believe that he is…” — Hebrews 11:6
You don’t need to beg—just believe, surrender, and expect. God wants to fill you more than you even want to receive Him.
Step 3: Worship and Yielding
As you pray, begin to worship Jesus out loud—not in your mind, but with your voice. Praise Him for who He is. Thank Him for the promise. Then, as you feel His presence move, yield your tongue to the Spirit.
You may begin to speak in a language you do not understand. This is the biblical evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6).
Common Helps
- Don’t overthink—just let go and trust God.
- Surround yourself with believers who can pray with you.
- Remove distractions and focus solely on Jesus.
What It Feels Like
You may feel joy, peace, or power. You may cry or laugh. The experience is unique for every person—but what is consistent is this: you will speak in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.
Conclusion
You can receive the Holy Ghost today. You don’t need a perfect background or a special title—just a hungry heart and a surrendered will.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” — Matthew 5:6
If you haven’t yet received the Holy Ghost, pray with faith—and expect the promise.