Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit still active today—or did they end with the apostles? In this episode of Deformed Theology, hosts Jonathan and David sit down once again with Pastor Drew Tarwater of Forefront Church in Denver, Colorado, to dive deep into the mystery, beauty, and controversy surrounding the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
This is Part 2 of our series on the Holy Spirit, and we’re going even deeper. Together, we explore what Scripture really says about the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12, how they operate in the modern church, and why believers often misunderstand or neglect the Spirit’s power in their daily lives.
From wisdom and knowledge to healing, tongues, and prophecy, this conversation takes an honest and balanced look at how the Spirit moves today—and why so many in the Western church rarely recognize it. Are miracles and spiritual gifts only for the early church? Or is God still moving in supernatural ways around the world? Pastor Drew shares powerful stories from missionaries, global ministries, and his own pastoral experiences that challenge our assumptions and renew our faith in the active work of the Holy Spirit.
We also unpack:
Why the American church struggles to rely on the Holy Spirit compared to churches in Africa, Asia, and South America
The tension between charismatics and cessationists, and how both camps can learn from one another
How to receive and recognize spiritual gifts according to Scripture (Romans 12 & Acts 8)
Why love and humility must be the foundation of every gift (1 Corinthians 13)
What true prophecy looks like—and how to test whether it’s from God
Why so many believers miss out on their gifts because they’re not asking or seeking them
This is not your average “feel-good” discussion. It’s a grounded, Scripture-rich, sometimes humorous, and always honest exploration of the work of the Holy Spirit in the modern church. Whether you lean Baptist, charismatic, reformed, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to think deeply and biblically about the Spirit who empowers and unites all believers.
If you’ve ever asked questions like:
👉 Are the gifts of the Spirit for today?
👉 What’s the difference between being sealed by the Spirit and being baptized in the Spirit?
👉 How do I know what my spiritual gift is?
👉 Why don’t we see miracles like in the book of Acts?
—then this conversation is for you.
🟣 Deformed Theology is a podcast for Christians who love Jesus but aren’t afraid to wrestle with big theological questions. Our tagline says it best: “Washing feet. Flipping tables.”
💬 Join the conversation in the comments:
Do you believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still active today? How have you seen the Spirit move in your life or church?
📖 Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 12–14 | Romans 12 | Acts 8 | 2 Timothy 1 | John 14
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📺 Watch the full video on YouTube @DeformedTheology for more roundtable discussions with pastors, theologians, and everyday believers.
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