Do you need to be water baptized before you can receive the Holy Spirit? It seems that Acts 2:38-39 says you do.

Let's examine two texts:

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 2:38 NKJ)

If this was the only Scripture we had on the subject of water baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, then the answer to your question would be yes. It is true that people in the Bible were usually immediately baptized with water after their salvation, and then filled with the Holy Spirit (the gift of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in an unknown tongue).

However, people were also saved, filled with the Spirit, and then water baptized as indicated in the following verses:

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
(Acts 10:44-48 NKJ)

Because both of the above texts show or reveal people receiving the Holy Spirit differently, we can conclude that you can receive the Holy Spirit before or after water baptism.

The only prerequisite is salvation, or placing trust in Jesus.

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