There is a very significant difference. He will judge the wicked and usher the righteous into His kingdom, a kingdom beyond our ability to fathom now (compare 1 Corinthians 2:9). To what period of time was Jesus referring by the expression, a little while? Jesus lets them know that He is answering the questions which they had just discussed among themselves. (v. 22). Time will tell. An unbeliever cannot get saved unless they are first convicted by the Holy Spirit. Since their joy is in Him and He will never leave them, no one will ever be able to rob them of their joy in Him. Indeed He sought out His disciples after the resurrection, but the context implies He was speaking of something more: His spiritual presence in every believer through the agency of the Holy Spirit. In verse 24 Jesus says, "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me." The Ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-33) Introduction Over 25 years ago, Jeannette and I moved into our first home. It was not that the early Christians had it easy. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, our Lord will continue to dwell among them, in a more intimate and permanent way. This ministry of the spirit works on all who receive the gospel of Christ. If there is one thing that has most struck me from this text, it has been this realization: It is the cross of Jesus Christ which puts everything in focus. It is His joy that we are to pursue (see John 15:11). 82 The disciples found themselves struggling to grasp what these words meant, not unlike the way we struggle to understand prophecies of things to come for us. with His presence and power. Our Lords words of instruction and comfort to His disciples apply to us on at least two levels. There are many other things that Jesus did. I tell you the solemn truth, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.80 24 Until now you have not asked81 for anything in my name. Who would dare to say that they understand every detail of this great book, penned by the same authorJohn? He guards and guarantees the salvation of the ones He indwells ( Ephesians 1:13; 4:30 ). There's not a soul in the world who wants Jesus Christ to the point of loving obedience who doesn't receive Him (cf. A preacher friend of mine used to say, All false teaching is either the Bible plus, or the Bible minus. False teaching either seeks to add to or to take away from Scripture. Now we get it. Why is it, then, that we find so many joyless Christians? Christian joy is not to be found in having everything youve ever wanted. We need only to trust in Him who is in control of the past, the present, and the future. Jesus will teach them after His resurrection and before His ascension (see Luke 24:13ff. The New Testament repeats that truth a number of times. He helps us to understand Gods will and to put it into practice. They brought no certainty of divine help, and people were conscious that their efforts did not measure up. Maurice Jones wrote of the ancient world: It was a world where the burden of sin and of human misery was intensely realised. Stoicism was a grim creed, pessimistic at its heart. 10 Roles of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christians. Therefore, let us heed the Lords words in our text, knowing that they are as important to us as they were to those men, so many years ago. He can and will cause all things to work together for good to those who are His chosen, to those who trust in Him (see Romans 8:28). The Ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-33) Introduction Over 25 years ago, Jeannette and I moved into our first home. What a privilege it is that God in His grace plants His very essence in us! We learn that Christ and the Holy Spirit are continually interceding on our behalf. 30 Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truth to draw the disciples away after them. That does not mean He imparts to us some kind of omniscience. It is in the light of the cross that the Scriptures become clear. He explores topics such as spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit's power for evangelism, and hearing God's After our Lords resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples will no longer need to question our Lord about the meaning of His words and the events which are taking place. Jesus has much more to say to them, but this is not the time to do so. By future revelation, I mean revelation which claims to be Scripture and which has authority as Scripture (i.e., the Bible). 9 For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory! God has so endowed the Christian with discernment that he ultimately will not be deceived by lies. Please respond to confirm your registration. Eternal life refers not just to quantityto life that goes on foreverbut more to quality. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. He knows that they are mystified about all that He has been saying to them about the future. WebThe Holy Spirit's ministry in the Old Testament differs from his ministry in the New Testament not so much in kind as in degree. All I could think of on the way home was that some of our friends were waiting at our house, wondering where we were. I think one can also say, All false teaching is either Christ plus, or Christ minus. Paul would say, True teaching is Christ only.77. Furthermore, since Christ was to be the Savior of the world, why would He not manifest Himself to the world? The Holy Spirit reveals Gods thoughts, teaches, and guides believers into all truth. Mr. Prier and his wife Ann were there, a little late as well. Far from it, their lot was often a very hard one indeed. In John 16:15 Jesus says, "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you." The Holy Spirit reveals Gods thoughts, teaches, and guides believers into all truth. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted. 18 When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain. In Johns Gospel, as the time of our Lords death draws near, He seeks to prepare them for the future. Because of the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. We, too, see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12), but then we will know (cf. In the New Testament, one of the most important works of the Holy Spirit is the w In the Old Testament, we see different aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit. Penny Noyes Author. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire (2 Peter 1:3-4). 7:38-39 ). We will never face some of the things which the disciples did. In the New Testament He is also called that and the Spirit of Christ. 2 For if the message spoken through angels proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? We live at a time when we do not yet fully know all that God has in store for us and for the future. It appears to me that they have left, immediately after the question and answer discussion of chapters 13 and 14: Get up, let us go from here (John 14:31b). It appeared that Howard was keeping us from something we really wanted, but in truth he was preparing us for something even better (they surprised us with a new refrigerator). But the real stress lies on the phrase in my name. Of course, the disciples could not yet have asked for things in Jesus name: the mediatorial role of Christ in this regard turns on his cross-work. The seven ministries of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. He has to show us the errors of our ways and that we are all sinners in the eyes of God. Jesus had been the disciples' helper for three years. The Spirits teaching comes from and glorifies the Lord Jesus (verses 3-4), just as our Lords teaching came from and glorified the Father (John 8:26, 40). 11. It was another manifestation of His grace not to tell them all they wanted to know. He said He would leave, then come back and be with us as long as we live, and throughout eternity. WebThe ministry of the Holy Spirit has not changed from the Old Testament. I confess, we turned on the air conditioning and lit a fire in the fireplace, just to try it out.) He is the One who is all-knowing, and this includes His knowledge of what they claim to know, and yet do not. They totally ignored the hundreds of prophecies from their own Scriptures that Jesus fulfilled. However Jesus assured them that they would not be left to fend for themselves; they would have a supernatural Helper. We know that what is yet to happen is not only for His glory, but for our good. WebHow does the Holy Spirit work distinctly in the Old and New Testament? Paraphrased, the disciples seem to be saying: Why didnt you say so sooner? 5:3; Col. 1:24; etc.). How different it will soon be for them, as they look back from the cross and the empty tomb. In the New Testament, one of the most important works of the Holy Spirit is the w In the Old Testament, we see different aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit. In the world you have trouble and suffering; but have courage, I have conquered the world.. He will do so because of the Sons coming to this earth (to die for our sins) and because He has returned to the Father. (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Spirit came and dwelt within the disciples, teaching them all about Christ, as John 14:26 says He would. However, He does not allow their pretense to stand, unchallenged. But we know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him, because we will see him just as he is (1 John 3:2). He is just as much God as the Father or the Son and is co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and Son. 10 Roles of the Holy Spirit in the Life of Christians. He indwells believers and seals them until the day of redemptionthis indicates that the Holy Spirits presence in the believer is irreversible. ), but most of the teaching will be done by the Holy Spirit, after our Lords departure. We now can come to God directly, because of the Son: 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in the full assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. WebThe ministry of the Holy Spirit has not changed from the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, we see different aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Old Testament He is referred to as the Spirit of the Lord or Spirit of God. They fall into the category of things that have been accomplished on our behalf without effort on our part. 32 And now I entrust you to God and to the message of his grace. The Greek word translated "Advocate" is parakletos. I am sure all the disciples were dumbfounded at that point. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears. In verses 25-28, Jesus makes His disciples a very encouraging promise. That's why Jesus said, "In that day you will know," a reference to the day of Pentecost. WebThe Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity God the Spirit. I would suggest it may be because we are looking for joy in all the wrong places. Once the disciples see Jesus, raised from the dead, their sorrow turns to joy. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. The cross was the goal of our Lords life and the means by which He fulfilled the Fathers (and His) purposes and promises. 5:41; 16:25). Consider the inference of these words. Learn more about the third person of the Holy Trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The next ministry that the Holy Spirit has with both unbelievers, as well as believers is that He has to convict all of us. It is not getting worse for the disciples, as they fear; it is getting better and better. 11. Only while Jesus body lay in the tomb were the disciples overwhelmed with grief. Nevertheless, while we are not apostles as these men were to become, we are His disciples, and thus this text applies to us as well. Those who know it all do not need to learn any more, they think. I would say this is particularly true of things to come: Dear friends, we are Gods children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. The Greek word translated "power" (dunamis) is the source of the English word dynamite. 28 I came from the Father and entered into the world; but in turn, I am leaving the world and going back to the Father., 29 His disciples said, Look, now you are speaking plainly and not in obscure figures of speech! The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and is responsible for the ministry of reconciliation. The Holy Spirit would, in fact, work miraculously within the apostles to produce the inspired writings of the New Testamentbrand new revelation providing instruction for this new church age. In the New Testament, one of the most important works of the Holy Spirit is the w In the Old Testament, we see different aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit. He helps us to understand Gods will and to put it into practice. The curse of death which came because of Adams sin became the cure when Jesus Christ, the last Adam, died in the sinners place. He explores topics such as spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit's power for evangelism, and hearing God's Being filled with the Spirit and letting the Word dwell in you are synonymous because they produce the same results: a song in your heart, a thankful attitude, and loving relationships at home and at work (Ephesians 5:196:9; Colossians 3:164:1). We have a supernatural Helper, not just with but in every one of us who believes. I do doubt that they grasped what His return to the Father was all about, and Im virtually certain they dont have a clue as to what He has just told them. How different it should be for us, looking ahead from the cross and the empty tomb! As we prayed and asked God for guidance, he has faithfully led us through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Learn more about the third person of the Holy Trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Carson forcefully defends the view that this is, indeed, what our Lord is saying: There are, however, several indications which argue strongly that the passage refers simply to Jesus departure by the death of the cross and his return by resurrection. Let me illustrate what I am saying by calling your attention to the Book of Revelation. As you've probably experienced many times, He often brings to mind appropriate verses and truths from Scripture at just the night moment. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given selectively and temporarily to indwell certainly individuals for special ministries. And since the words Jesus spoke came from the Father, the world doesn't want Him either. The possession of the Holy Spirit by the believer was not permanent in every case. First John 2:1 says, "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 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