All four Gospels record that Jesus would baptize His followers in the Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Luke's commission from Jesus in Luke 24:47-49 states that He would endue (or clothe) His disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 reveals just how the Apostles were going to take the gospel into all nations, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now disciples of all kind debate what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some disciples believe that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit the moment we are baptized into Christ Jesus (Acts 2:38-39; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Galatians 3:26-27). Some disciples believe that we can experience an event after we become followers of Jesus where we are baptized in the Spirit (or filled with the Spirit such as in Ephesians 5:18). This personal Pentecost occurs after we are saved and brings the power of God into our lives. Charles Finney said, "Many know the peace of God but not many know the power of God." Leonard Ravenhill said, "You might not know when and where you got saved but if you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you'll know when and where you were at. If you don't, you are not filled with the Spirit."
I do believe in being filled with the Spirit. Take from that what you want. Someone once asked D.L. Moody if he believed in a second work of grace. Moody replied, "Yes and a third and a fourth and as many as our Lord will give." I agree. I don't believe being filled with the Spirit is a one time event where we encounter the Spirit and never encounter Him again. I believe the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives to glorify Jesus. He wants to help us overcome sin (Galatians 5:16-17) and He wants to help us be Jesus' witnesses to the glory of God. The Holy Spirit doesn't glorify gifts (Hebrews 2:4) but He always is working to point all glory to Jesus Christ alone.
In terms of the Spirit baptism debate, I recommend a few books to read. You can find that list at the end of this post. For now, let me state that no matter where you stand on the issue of Pentecost, we all as disciples of Jesus should worship Him for sending the gift of the Spirit. Pentecost changed the world. No doubt there can be no Pentecost without the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must never overlook the cross when dealing with the ministry of the Spirit. But, Pentecost birthed the Church of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost signified the fact that the Holy Spirit was now abiding in the very bodies of God's people. No longer was God confined to the temple behind the veil. Now the Spirit was dwelling within the hearts of disciples of Jesus. Through the Spirit, the disciples were able to take the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The book of Acts is a powerful record of the ongoing ministry of Jesus that begin the book of Luke and continues in Acts through the ministry and person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wrote the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and He continues to lead His Church through His Word. How we should then bless God for giving us Pentecost!
I urge you then to praise God for Pentecost. Pentecost is a wonderful event in the history of the Church and were it not for Pentecost, we would not be here today. Thank God that the Spirit has come!
For more on the issue of the baptism in the Holy Spirit see the following books:
Douglas Jacoby The Spirit
John Walvoord The Holy Spirit
Anthony Palma The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective
William Greathouse The Fullness of the Spirit
Rick Walston The Speaking In Tongues Controversy
A.W. Tozer How To Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Jack Deere Surprised by the Power of the Spirit
Thomas Edgar Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit
Jack Hayford The Beauty of Spiritual Language
