Receive YE the H.G.
 

Hey that rhymes!

Did they receive the Holy Ghost in John 20:22?

No takers?

If they did receive then there must be a difference when we are "baptized" with the Holy Ghost.

They did not. Jesus commanded them to do so. When he breathed on them that was to be a "prompt" when they did on Pentecost. A rushing "wind" filled all the house where they were sitting. Then they knew "this is it".

Acts 8 shows no difference between receiving the Holy Ghost or receiving the baptism.

14: Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17: Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:14-17

No mention here of "the baptism". Yet it should be clear thats the subject. Why? They are the same thing.

So what you are saying, more simply put, is that Jesus said "receive ye the Holy Ghost" and they interpreted that command to mean, we'll do that later.

Exactly. Thats why you see them receive later.

Bro M. I'm not trying to be ignorant (not hard) but if the almighty said to me receive ye this ******** and I really needed it why in the world would I say, hold on for a few months and I'll get back to ya.???

No, because Jesus said the Holy Ghost could not be given until He went to the Father and because He was not yet glorified. It was symbolic.

Joh 7:39 -(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

The Apostles said nothing of the sort. Jesus gave them a command to receive the Spirit. It was obviously not given to them just yet.

1: The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2: Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7: And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:1-8

Note verse 4. Wait for the promise of the Spirit which you heard from me. Why would they wait for something they already had?

Did you look at Acts 8? That makes plain there are not 2 separate Holy Spirit experiences.

In all the other gospel accounts you have commissions. In those commissions they are commanded to go and do something hereafter, not right then and there. And in some, like Luke, they are commanded to go and wait for something that would come later on, right? What was it? The Spirit!

Here we have sort of a commission that is not as fleshed out as the others

Joh 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you."
Joh 20:22 And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
Joh 20:23 If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained."

John leaves out most of what the others included

And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Luk 24:50 Then Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.