Review Title: Discerning Truth About Holy Spirit Power (review of The Essential Guide to the Power of the Holy Spirit by Randy Clark)
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
***** 5 Stars

This book engages readers in the current discussion about whether the Holy Spirit acts similarly today as in Bible times or if the Holy Spirit functions only as the agent who draws people to God for salvation. Randy Clark, PhD, has an excellent background to write on this topic.

Cessationists believe that the miracles and healings recorded in the Bible were necessary for people to come to faith in Jesus before a written record was made to tell about what Jesus could and did do that proved He was the Son of God and the Messiah. After God inspired and provided the Bible, they feel the works of the Holy Spirit including miracles, healings, speaking in tongues and others ceased. Scripture became the focus for understanding leading to salvation.

Continuationists believe that the same works are performed by the Holy Spirit today as were performed back in Bible times. The author, Randy Clark, gives good reasons to support his stance for this side of the argument.

The book will be enlightening to all who read it no matter which side they support. The reader will benefit from the study of the Holy Spirit based on scripture passages. Different parts of scripture have been evaluated by Randy Clark to discern what they mean regarding Holy Spirit power at work in the world today.

Chapters particularly of interest to those unfamiliar with the Charismatic movement are:
Chapter 4: Prophets and Prophecy Today
Chapter 5: Modern Apostles
Chapter 6: Is Speaking in Tongues for Today?
Chapter 7: Does God Still Heal the Sick?
The final portion of the book looks at the writings of Jonathan Edwards and how he addressed The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Holy Spirit. All of the thoughts are presented logically for readers to think about and come to their own conclusions. At the end of each chapter, a summary of the Keypoints helps reinforce the readings and understanding.

I thank the author, publisher, and bookfun.org for giving me this book in exchange for reading it and giving my honest review.