Following Peter's direct command to "Repent and Be Baptized in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ", we find this promise: "...and YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST....." (Acts 2:38) The first two steps is our response to God's instructions for Salvation - putting our faith into action. The "third step", receiving the Holy Ghost is "experiencing Salvation". It is the evidence that God has "recognized" your faith and confirmed it by giving you the gift of the Holy Ghost - a part of His own Eternal Life into your soul. The coming of the Holy Ghost quickens us to a New Life in Christ. Spiritually,
we experience a resurrection. We were dead in sins and trespasses, cut of from God; but now, we have been 'made alive' - conscious and aware of our Heavenly Father, whereby we now cry "Abba Father."

And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 2:1,5-6

Having experienced the Resurrection of Christ in our souls it creates in us the call for the "physical Resurrection" of body (Romans 8:23). Paul, in Romans 8:11 said, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." Coming into the believers heart, the Holy Ghost quickens (germinates) the Seed-Word of God in our hearts, producing a "child" in the image of God - the Word. This new creation, by a new birth hungers and thirsts daily for more and more of the Word of God Matthew
5:6. More than a new creation, by a new spiritual birth, in receiving the Holy Ghost we become the Temple of God.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. 1st. Corinthians 3:16-17

Receiving the Holy Ghost is not an option in Salvation - it is a MUST! Romans 8:9 warns us with these words: "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Going through the motions of repentance and water baptism, without receiving the Holy Ghost, produces a 'still-born' child - a spiritually dead church member. Before His ascension Jesus gave a command to His disciples.....

And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence. Acts 1:4-5

In Acts 5:32 we find these words: "And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the HOLY GHOST, whom GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is given, NOT to church members, but only to those that OBEY God. NOTHING less then OBEDIENCE to ALL His Word entitles you to the Holy Ghost - the "Token" that "all is well with your soul"; It is God's seal. In Ephesians 4:30 Paul said, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption." A certain denomination teaches that the keeping of a Saturday Sabbath is the
Seal of God. That's a false prophecy. The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Ghost is the Seal of God. Further PROOF is found in these words in Ephesians 1:13: "In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise..."

John 16:7-14 exhorts us that when the Holy Ghost comes, "He will guide us into all Truth". If you're not growing and maturing in the Word - the Truth, then there's a lack of the Holy Ghost in your life. In Acts 1:8 we find that the Holy Ghost is the POWER we NEED to be a true witness of Jesus Christ. If you have no more victory over the World, the flesh and the Devil then when you first repented - this also is an indication of a great lack of the Holy Ghost. With growth and maturity in the Word comes more strength to LIVE for God. The Bible says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with
the Spirit;" Ephesians 5:18.

Now, having been fully persuaded of the need for genuine repentance, water baptism in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, let's find out HOW to receive the Holy Ghost and HOW do we know when we have HIM dwelling within?

I have already discussed this subject above. But let's just briefly rehearse a few things concerning "How to receive the Holy Ghost".. First, we must have a revelation of WHO is the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost? The Gospels tell us that Jesus Christ is the Baptizer with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Secondly, the Bible tells us "And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the HOLY GHOST, whom GOD HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." The first step to receiving the Holy Ghost is "Obedience" to the Will and WORD of God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." 1st. Samuel 15:22 says, "to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams." This brings us back to a Scripture we have already mentioned several times - Acts 2:38, "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." The question is: ARE YOU WILLING TO: (1) thoroughly Repent of your sins, unbelief or error; and (2) be Baptized or "RE-BAPTIZED" in the NAME of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter said that if we sincerely did this - YE SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"...laying aside all filthiness and superfluity (abundance) of naughtiness (evil), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:21-22).

Let your obedience be with Faith [conviction in the heart] and NOT by tradition. The Bible tells us: "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. " Without faith Water baptism is nor more than dead works and the individual will go down (into the water) a 'dry sinner' and come up a 'wet sinner'. You MUST have faith and "But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 10:6). "faith cometh by hearing the Word" (Romans 10:17).

When discussing "HOW" receive the Holy Ghost we cannot overlook Acts 10:44-47. Here we find the record of the first time the Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles. Verse 44 states, "While Peter yet spake these words (plural), the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word (singular)." The Holy Ghost fell on those who were receiving the 'spiritual revelation' (understanding) of the WORD Peter was preaching. Verse 46-47 states, ".....Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Praise the Lord! No more tarrying for the Holy Ghost - According to your faith be it unto you, NOW! It's not a sensation; it's not emotion - it's the Life of Christ in you, producing a 'virgin birth' in you by the Word and quickening the Word to your
understanding. First, and foremost, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost produces a New Birth, a New Life, with new a thought pattern, a new attitude, motives and objectives. It's not you that lives anymore, it's Christ (in the form of the Holy Ghost) living in you - Supreme Power in control. If you haven't experienced this 'changed life' then you need to...

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? II Corinthians 13:5

The Christian faith is based solidly upon rest. A Christian is not tossed about. A Christian doesn't run from place to place. or fuss, and fume, and worry about things. A Christian rests. It's all over. It's all finished for the believer at Calvary. Oh, sickness may come and disappointments; but the Christian is at rest knowing this, that God's able to keep that which He has performed, knowing that no matter what the thing is, or how it looks, there's neither sickness, sorrow, death, starvation or anything that can separate us from the love of God that's in Jesus Christ. We're at rest. Just let the old ship toss any way she wants to;
the anchor holds.

Through absolute faith in what Christ accomplished at Calvary, we obtain Salvation - deliverance from, and victory over, the "power" and "influence" of the "Tree of knowledge of Good and evil" in our flesh. But the Lord, realizing our frame, that we are
but dust, exhorts us that if [after experiencing Salvation] we were deceived or trapped into doing that which was wrong, repentance [being sorry for our sin] brings us back into fellowship with our Heavenly Father again. Praise the Lord!

This subject is a "study" in itself. But I will try and be as brief as possible. It is very important question, requiring a Biblical answer. On the authority of the Word of God we can say that the "Initial Evidence" of the Holy Ghost is NOT GOOD WORKS. Though "good works" follow a Holy Ghost life, one can have good works in their lives and still not have the Holy Ghost. The "Initial Evidence" is NOT SHOUTING, GOOD FEELINGS, EMOTION or SENSATION. Though these attributes sometimes accompany the Presence of the Holy Ghost, one can have all these experiences and still not have the Holy Ghost. And with all due respect to our denominational Pentecostal and Charismatic brethren, the "Initial Evidence" of the Holy Spirit in your life is NOT "SPEAKING IN KNOWN OR UNKNOWN TONGUES". You may speak with tongues and you may not. I have known many to "speak in tongues" and still not have the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit in their soul.

The supernatural manifestation of "speaking in tongues" is one of several "gift of the Holy Ghost, and according to Paul in 1st. Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14, "not all speak with tongues". In fact Paul 'down-plays' the emphasis on "speaking in tongues". Like the Pentecostal Church and the Charistmatics, the Corinthian Church had lost the balance on this one gift. Before you allow anyone to tell you that "Speaking In Tongues" is the "Initial Evidence" of the Holy Ghost, I encourage you to read 1st. Corinthians chapters 12, 13 and 14,

We'll understand these things if, First we understand that according to the Bible, both the "good" and the "bad", the "righteous" and the "unrighteous" can experience the "blessings" and "anointing" of God in their lives - One unto Eternal Life, the other unto Eternal damnation. Secondly, we need to understand that man is a "threefold" being - Body, soul and spirit. He/she can experience God in either one or all three of these realms. We can have an experience with God in our Body or spirit realm and still go to Hell. But once we experience the Holy Ghost in the realm of the Soul - this is Salvation. The Soul is the "control tower" of our lives. The Soul is the nature of the spirit and the spirit is the nature of the body. God coming into the Soul, by the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, takes "control" of our lives, conqueroring the old worldly nature, bringing us subject to His Word.

The Bible says, ".....he [God] maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:44-45). For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is addressed, receiveth blessing from God: But THAT WHICH BEARETH THORNS AND BRIERS [IS] REJECTED, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose END [IS] TO BE BURNED. (Hebrews 6:7-8.) An individual can experience one or more of the attributes of the Presence of the Holy Spirit in his/her flesh and human spirit, and still not have the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in their SOUL.

It's important that we make our calling and election sure by the Word (2nd Peter 1:10). Don't take any fleshly sensation or the manifestation of a gift as a sign that you have Salvation, with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in your soul. Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:22-23: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." They had these manifestations in their lives. yet FAILED to do what God required - BELIEVE THE WORD PROPHESIED FOR THEIR DAY. The True Baptism of the Holy Ghost in the Soul Will produce A LIFE which MANIFESTS the WORD for the Age in which we live. We will punctuate every Word of God with "AMEN!" - this is the "Initial evidence" of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The Bible tells us in 2nd Peter 1:21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost." Therefore, if the Holy Ghost wrote the WORD how can He come into your heart and deny His own WORD? In Psalms 119:89 the Holy Spirit (speaking of His own Word) said, "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." Again, in Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Then, the Holy Spirit goes further in Revelation 22:18 warning us with these Words: "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" We are warned to keep our own ideas out of God's Book - HE meant what He said and said what He meant.

With the True and Genuine Baptism of the Holy Ghost in the soul we will LOVE the Word. We cannot LOVE God without loving His Word, because God and His Word is ONE (John 1:1-3). Unfortunately, in this day and age, people LOVE their Church and the Creed more than they LOVE God or his Word. Give them the "Word Test" and they'll take the Church over the Word 99.99 % of the time. They do more for their Church than they do for God. One denominational Sister told me that she felt she was so busy for Church that she had no time for God.

If we have the Baptism of the Holy Ghost we will LOVE the Lord; believe ALL His Word and with His help, OBEY it. We will manifest the "fruit of the spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23). Look at the kind of person you were and then look at what you are - see if there's a change - see if you have indeed received this "LIFE-CHANGING experience" of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost - an experience that makes you "Spiritually minded", not just "religiously inclined". Check up on your relationship with God to see if you put more emphasis on the WORD of God than you do the church you attend; see if you really Believe
the WORD more than you do a Creed; see if you are really LIVING every day for the Glory of God, giving HIM the preeminence in ALL you do. Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46 Be SURE, be VERY SURE, your anchor holds and grips the Solid ROCK - the Lord Jesus Chirst - the Living WORD. Where Do We Go From Here?

Having settled the issue of your relationship with God, you believe that, according to the Bible teaching, you are genuinely "Born again" by the Word and Spirit of God. Now, you enter into the responsibilities of "Christian Discipleship"; you become an active "learner", and a "follower" [not a dead representation] of the Great Teacher - Jesus Christ in the form of the Holy Ghost IN you. You become a "doer" of the WORD and not just a "hearer". You accept the "responsibility" of Discipleship to learn and "grow" in "Grace" and in the "correct and vital knowledge" of your Lord and Saviour (2nd Peter 3:18). You accept your responsibility to the body of believers. The Bible says, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. "

As born again believers we willingly and gladly obey what Jesus said in John 8:31-32, continue to walk in the Light of His Word as He reveals it it to us. We have come this far by Repentance, Water Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost; now, we find ourselves being guided daily into all Truth. We continue to receive more understanding of the Word as the Lord continues to work out His Salvation in us, separating us from the World and the things of the world. More and more the Word is made flesh in us as we 'conform' to the 'image' of Christ.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1st. John 1:7

This Scriptures explains the principle of HOW God's Salvation is made manifest in the believer - "Walking in the Light (The Word), brings us into fellowship with the rest of the body [into which we are baptized by the Holy Ghost] and in there the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" Therefore, if we fail to "walk in the Light" [when it's presented to us] and as God reveals it, then the blood no longer atones for our sin. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS INDEED! The Holy Ghost is sent to guide us into ALL Truth the Light (John 16:13). To refuse to acknowledge revealed Truth and walk in it, is to take yourself out from under the protection of the Blood of Jesus. Paul in Hebrews 6:1-6 spoke of "Going unto perfection".

Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.

For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. Hebrews 6:1-6

To refuse to walk in greater Light is to 'fall away'. In his/her relationship with God the believer NEVER stands still in one place - they're either moving forward or backward - moving forward into ever increasing Light and knowledge of the Word of God or backwards - falling away. Paul said, "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39). The True Believer doesn't stop and settle down into a denomination; he/she keeps moving on with God - not bound by a denominational creed, but believing as much as God will reveal - even unto the fulfillment of prophecy in this age, in the Life and Ministry of William M. Branham, God's Servant and Prophet to the Twentieth Century. He is God's vindicated messenger to this Age, sent to turn our hearts back to the fullness of the Word and the "revealed mysteries" to give us Rapturing Faith.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to
men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is
written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:1-3,9-21.