At Pentecost the Holy Spirit moved those who heard the gospel appeal to cry out, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).

“Peter replied, ‘REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”
—Acts 2:38.

The apostle Peter emphasized repentance—turning away from a sinful way of life and turning to Christ—as a condition for receiving the gift of the Spirit.

The Spirit is already working in people to lead them to that point: He makes us aware of God's goodness and gives us the desire to turn from wrongdoing (Romans 2:4). He's also involved in the work of conversion (Acts 3:19). What Peter pointed out was that to have the Spirit poured out on us as a gift, to be filled with the Spirit, we must first repent and commit our lives to Christ as is symbolized by baptism.

Jesus stated the same truth in a slightly different way. He emphasized a willingness to follow and obey as a condition for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit:

“IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU WILL OBEY WHAT I COMMAND. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.”
—John 14:15-17.

The person who claims the gift of the Holy Spirit but continues to live a sinful life is only fooling himself. There is a “wicked spirit” which imitates some of the Spirit's manifestations, leading some to conclude that this “gift of God” condones their immoral behavior.