“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless…”

                   -John 14:16-18

The Holy Ghost is mentioned throughout the entirety of God’s Word. From the creation of the world in Genesis (1:2), to the closing verses of Revelation (22:17), It has always been active among God’s people. Yet in spite of this, we find that the Spirit’s dealing with mankind was significantly hindered during Old Testament times due to the sinful condition of humanity and need for redemption. You’ll often find instances where the Holy Ghost rested upon an individual (Num. 11:25; I Samuel 10:6), and perhaps even filled them (Luke 1:67), yet the Lord clearly differentiated between the Spirit’s work then and now by saying, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16) You see, the difference in New Testament times does not lie in Who is dealing with us; the difference is that the New Testament saint can now be filled with the Holy Ghost continually.

This promise of Christ to His disciples (and to us) was fulfilled not long after The Ascension on a day we now call The Day of Pentecost. Scripture says in Acts 2:1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This “initial evidence”, as it’s come to be known, of being filled with the Holy Ghost is found elsewhere in the New Testament where the recipients of this great Gift from God spoke in other tongues as the Spirit Itself gave them utterance (Acts 19:6).

But just as being saved consists of more than going to church and praying, being baptized in the Holy Ghost is much more than the outward manifestation of speaking in other tongues. The Holy Ghost also comforts (John 14:16), strengthens (Romans 8:26), keeps us from sin (Galatians 5:16), reveals God’s will (Revelation 3:6), and many other things too numerous to mention. Each of these benefits should be more than enough reason for each Christian to diligently seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost (study Acts 19:2).

Though many would say that the Holy Ghost only manifested Itself so mightily during the first century, Peter emphasized the lasting nature of this offer from God (Acts 2:39). Any saved, sanctified Christian is eligible to partake in this wonderful experience, and can seek it in faith knowing that “…every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:8)