By Craig S. Keener

Because of its clarity and equity and faithfulness to the Scriptures, this publication made my Top-10 record of Pentecostal/Charismatic works that aid the continuation of the presents of the Spirit and/or the baptism within the Spirit (list should be considered at the beginning for Pentecostal Scholarship's website, scroll to backside and click "more"). I heartily advocate this booklet for someone attracted to the Holy Spirit and his gifts.
Concerning the presents of the Spirit, Keener doesn't arbitrarily divide them into supernatural ("sign") and non-supernatural presents and claim that the supernatural presents have ceased (a trust referred to as "cessationism"). in truth, he believes that "cessationism wouldn't obviously take place to somebody studying the biblical textual content who had no longer already been taught the location or didn't have an experiential bias that demanded it" (107).
He cogently explains how the entire major scriptures that cessationists use to truncate the presents of the Spirit for our day are misinterpreted by way of the cessationists (for instance, 1 Cor 13:8-12; Eph 2:20; Heb 2:3-4). He introduces his dialogue of one Cor 13:8-12, writing, "In the process Paul's argument that the presents are transitority, we study whilst Paul expects them to cross away. The church will not want such presents once we recognize as we're recognized . . . , that is once we see Christ nose to nose (13:12)" (105).
But this ebook is not only concerning the presents of the Spirit; Keener additionally discusses the baptism within the Holy Spirit. He accurately argues that "the complete sphere of the Spirit's paintings turns into to be had at conversion, yet believers might event a few elements of the Spirit's paintings in simple terms next to conversion" (151). he is bearing on the filling of the Holy Spirit (for empowerment to evangelize), which was once thought of normative in Luke's day, as he illustrates with Acts eight and the Samaritan Christians who have been missing this empowerment yet which Peter and John fast remedied. even though this incident of Spirit reception (Luke makes use of a number of names for it) and the others (see Acts 2, nine, 10, 19) are usually deemed "exceptions" by way of non-Pentecostals, Keener observes that "When 4 of our 5 biblical examples are "exceptions," . . . , one is tempted to query the validity of the "rule" (162).
Furthermore, Keener argues, "To make sure, many of the occasions Luke stories are unprecedented in a few feel, narrating the sporting forth of the gospel (with the attendant Christian baptism and the reward of the Spirit) to diversified teams of individuals. yet this not often implies that Luke wishes us to imagine that styles he establishes between diverse teams ceased in his personal day. really, he wishes us to acknowledge that this trend follows all Christians despite their heritage. Being jam-packed with the Spirit can be a typical a part of all Christians' lives" (162).
He features a important dialogue of the Acts-as-history argument, concluding that "We dare now not underestimate the importance of Luke's testimony, simply because Acts is the single New testomony booklet that without delay depicts early Christianity . . ." (158). He devotes an appendix to this dialogue and in it states, "The incontrovertible fact that our conventional approach to extracting doctrine from Scripture doesn't paintings good on narrative doesn't suggest that Bible tales don't ship transparent messages. in its place, it means that the way in which we observe our conventional approach to interpretation is insufficient simply because we're ignoring an excessive amount of of God's observe. . . . The "narrative" manner of studying Bible tales, in truth, indicates us tips to learn the Epistles competently" (212).
Although Keener intersperses lifestyles studies together with his exegesis, this can be no cause to accuse him of basing his conclusions on subjectivity. he's easily illustrating exegesis with narrative. in reality, he states, "I needs to conform my event to the Bible instead of the Bible to my adventure" (111) and that "Scripture is the 'canon,' the 'measuring stick,' consequently, the ultimate arbiter of revelation" (123). For Pentecostals and Charismatics, we haven't any "experiential bias" that drives us to dispense with the supernatural presents. particularly, we think that our reports are borne out by means of the Scriptures and via Christ's promise that he may empower us to do our half in evangelizing the area (Acts 1:8).
Charismatics, 3rd Wavers, and Pentecostals can revenue much from Keener's light nudging and chiding all through. He writes that "the Spirit's coming produces presents, yet specially fruit. . . . [T]he paintings of the Spirit needs to pass deeper than Spirit-led utterances and preliminary reports by myself" (57).
Hopefully, what i have highlighted during this evaluation won't provide the flawed effect. this isn't a detrimental, antagonistic ebook, yet a balanced e-book written in an irenic spirit about--as its subtitle says--the Holy Spirit this day. So if you are drawn to what the Holy Spirit can do on your existence this day and the way he can use you as his device this present day, this can be the booklet for you.
--Robert W. Graves, President, the root for Pentecostal Scholarship