The pouring of the Spirit
Everyone that accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior receives the promise of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells the church of Corinthians that the deposit of God’s Holy Spirit has been placed in our hearts (1Co1:22-23). It is the promise Jesus said that it would come, the Holy Spirit which will guide us unto all truth (Jh14:26). It is the power of God within us. The Apostle tells Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power (2T1:7) and such power is what we use to tread down strongholds. It is that power that we will need to manifest and not constrict while facing this new year and all the challenges it will bring.
Acts 2:38-39
38 Then Peter said unto them, 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.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
There is a process for receiving the Holy Spirit that Peter tells the listeners after that he and the others were saturated with the power and spoke in tongues. There are many signs that follow one after the indwell of the Holy Spirit, for examples the speaking in tongues, the ability to preach, and the gift of prophecy. But the first thing Peter tells his about 3,000 listeners was that they needed to repent and be baptized, in order to receive the Holy Spirit. God will not dwell in an unrepented heart, in fact his judgement will be unleashed on those stubborn individuals (Ro2:5). Peter tells his listeners that this promise is not only for them but also for their children. The prophet Joel spoke that this indwell of the Holy Spirit and his power was going to include the children (Jo2:28). The promise was for the entire family. Imagine an entire family filled with Holy Spirit, prophesying, speaking in tongues, healing the sick and manifesting all the power that the spirit gives? Peter not only includes the parents and the children, but everyone who is far off. We have family friends and people who are far off, whether distance wise or spiritual and those people are included in the promise.
But before anyone can receive this gift of the Holy Spirit they must adhere to the call. A call goes out with the preaching of the gospel to every man that hears for salvation. And when a person reacts towards the preaching of the gospel, then he/she receives the gift of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 1:22-23
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
John 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
2 Timonthy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Joel 2:28
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: