It seems to me that the book of Acts supports a clear and definite experience of men and women receiving the Spirit in the context of the Biblical word, “believe”. In other words, men and women should believe to the receiving of the Spirit, as described in the verses following.
“In Him (Christ) you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12.
Jesus said “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”. John 7:37,38.
There is undoubtedly truth in using these terms and I began to understand that it is important to use the correct Biblical language in the correct context if we are going to know the right Biblical experience.
So, I was hungry for reality. I felt a hypocrite although I was not knowingly living a lie. I just realised that my experience, and the experience of the church life I witnessed, did not seem to match up with what the New Testament exhibited.