Question: Does the Holy Spirit Work in the Church Today?
Answer: How? Many ways, for many reasons, with many outcomes. This is complicated because of various issues including the way we interpret the book of Acts. If you see the book of Acts as a playbook for how we are to conduct our lives, you will have many passages to puzzle over. If you read it the way we read a majority of the Old Testament (as an accounting of how God moved among His people with various principles to apply), then you have room to discuss this with an open mind.

As a pastor, one of the most frequent and important questions I hear is: How does the Holy Spirit work in the church today? Some say the Spirit’s miraculous gifts are still active, while others believe those gifts ceased after the apostolic age. The conversation often sparks debate, but it’s a discussion worth having because it impacts how we understand God’s presence and power in our lives.

A balanced and biblical approach to this topic is found in The Gift and Giver by Craig Keener. Keener is a respected New Testament scholar who brings both scholarly depth and a personal passion for understanding the Holy Spirit. In this book, he examines various views on spiritual gifts, arguing that we should seek the Spirit’s work in our lives while grounding our understanding in Scripture.

Amazon Blurb

Gift and the Giver by  Craig S. Keener

•  4.7 out of 5 stars      
• 4.3 on Goodreads 

In Gift and Giver, leading New Testament scholar Craig Keener takes a probing look at the various evangelical understandings of the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. He explores topics such as spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit's power for evangelism, and hearing God's voice. His desire is for Christians to "work for consensus, or at least for unity in God's work despite our differences on secondary matters."

Employing a helpful narrative approach and an ample number of stories, Keener enters into constructive dialogue with Pentecostals, moderates, and cessationists, all the while attempting to learn from each viewpoint. He seeks to bridge the gap between cessationists and Pentecostals/charismatics by urging all Christians to seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment. His irenic approach to this controversial issue has been endorsed by charismatics and non-charismatics alike. 

Sure to provoke helpful dialogue on a topic that has caused unfortunate divisions within the church, Gift and Giver will be a valuable addition to college and seminary courses on pneumatology. It will also be helpful to lay readers interested in a balanced discussion of spiritual gifts. This repackaged edition includes an updated preface and a substantive new afterword.

Summary of The Gift and Giver

Keener’s book doesn’t just defend one particular position but instead lays out a biblical framework for understanding the Spirit’s work. Here are some key themes:

1. The Holy Spirit in the Early Church – Keener explores how the Spirit moved in the New Testament, particularly through the miraculous gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12–14, such as prophecy, tongues, and healing. He emphasizes that these gifts were not just for the apostles but were given broadly to the church.
2. Different Views on Spiritual Gifts – The book presents the main perspectives:

• Cessationism – This view holds that miraculous gifts ceased after the apostolic era because they were primarily for confirming the authority of the apostles.
• Continuationism – This view maintains that spiritual gifts are still active today and should be sought and practiced within the church.
• Open But Cautious – Some believers are open to the idea that the gifts may still function but are cautious due to potential abuse or misinterpretation.

3. The Spirit’s Work in the Global Church – Keener highlights how the Spirit is powerfully at work in many parts of the world, particularly in regions where Christianity is growing rapidly. He argues that we should be careful not to limit what the Spirit can do based on our personal experiences or theological traditions.
4. Avoiding Extremes – One of Keener’s strongest arguments is for balance. He warns against the dangers of both skepticism (which denies the Spirit’s power today) and gullibility (which accepts every claimed work of the Spirit without discernment). He calls for a biblical, Spirit-filled approach that seeks God’s power while remaining grounded in Scripture.
5. The Purpose of the Spirit’s Gifts – The Spirit’s gifts are not given for personal glory or excitement but for the edification of the church and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Whether through miraculous gifts or more ordinary means, the Spirit empowers believers to love and serve one another.

Action Steps After Reading This Book

If this conversation has stirred your heart, here are some steps you can take to grow in your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit:

1. Read the Book for Yourself – Keener’s scholarship and balanced approach make this an essential read for anyone wrestling with this topic.
2. Study Scripture on the Holy Spirit – Read passages such as John 14–16, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12–14, and Romans 8. Ask God to reveal His truth to you through His Word.
3. Pray for Wisdom and Openness – No matter your theological background, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth. Pray for discernment to recognize both genuine works of the Spirit and potential counterfeits.
4. Seek a Biblical and Healthy Experience of the Spirit – If you are from a tradition that emphasizes the gifts, ensure they are exercised in line with biblical teaching. If you are from a tradition that downplays them, consider being open to how God might still work today.
5. Engage in Conversations with Humility – This is a topic that can divide Christians, but it shouldn’t. Be willing to discuss with those who have different perspectives, always seeking unity in Christ.
6. Serve Others with the Spirit’s Power – The Spirit’s gifts—whether miraculous or not—are always given to build up the church and serve others. Look for ways to encourage, teach, and help those around you with whatever gifts God has given you.

Bottom Line

No matter where you stand on this issue, The Gift and Giver reminds us that the Holy Spirit is active today—convicting, guiding, and empowering believers to live for Christ. Instead of getting caught in debates that lead to division, let’s seek to live Spirit-filled lives that glorify God and advance His kingdom.

The only time I completely disagree with someone over this issue is when they say the following:

• God no longer in the lives of His people.
• God only moves in a certain way in the lives of His people and it is not outlined in Scripture.