ST 505A Spring 2013 - 1 Essay: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit - David Kerney

John 15:26-16:16, is the middle of a conversation, Jesus had with his disciples in the upper room at Jerusalem. This is during the Passover Feast. Soon afterwards Jesus would be cruxified (John 13:1). Jesus knew his departure would bring uncertainty to his disciples, so he assured them with instructions about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. In John 15:26, 16:7 and 16:14, we learn about the Spirits relationship to Jesus. In 15:26, Jesus is understood as being the one who releases the Holy Spirit from the dwelling place of God the Father. The Spirit will proceed from the Father. This procession from the Father significant that the Spirit is divine, and distinct from Jesus the Son and God the Father. Gregory of Nazianzen states, This He said that He might not seem to be a rival God, or to make His discourses to them by another authority. [1] His mission is to give testimony about Jesus - his life, and his work of salvation. His purpose is not to talk about himself, but regarding Jesus. When he speaks about Jesus it will be truem because he is the Spirit of truth. In 16:7, Jesus mentions that he must leave the earth in order for the Holy Spirit to come. Jesus encarnated is a physical being, meaning he can only be at one place at a time. He is sending the Spirit, so that the Triune God could be in/with everyone of his disciples at once. Zizioulas writes about one of the contribution of the Holy Spirit to Jesus, Christ is not just an individual, not one but many. This corporate personality of Christ is impossible to conceive without Pneumatology. [2] These actions by the Spirit will exalt Jesus (16:14). This is the glory of the Holy Spirit, to glorify Jesus Christ. [3] In John 15:26, 16:7 and 16:13-15, we learn about the Spirits relationship to believers. In 15:26, 16:7, we learn that the disciples will know Jesus even more intimately through the Holy Spirits roles as Counselor (Helper, Advocate, Encourager, Comforter) and as the Spirit of truth. This should encourage believers facing difficult times. The Comforter is sent and given personally by Jesus to every believer. 15:27, He will also make the believer an qualified witness of Jesus. This is seen in the book of Acts and clarified as a promise in Acts 1:8. 16:7, tells us that Paraclete (Comforter) wont come unless Jesus returns to Heaven. First Jesus must become an atoning sacrifice for the believers sins. Then the Spirit can come to comfirm this work and start his sanctifying work (John 17:17)in each believer. 16:12, Jesus had more to teach his disciples, but they were insensitive to more spiritual truth. [4] The work of the Holy Spirit is to teach them and to give them what they lack. According to Gregory of Nazianzen, He said that all things should be taught us by the Spirit when He should come to dwell amongst us. Of these things one, I take it, was the Deity of the Spirit Himself [5] 16:13-14, Another advantage of Jesus leaving is that each believer will have their own personal tutor or teacher. The Spirit of truth will guide (instruct) believers into all truth. He will transmit and interpret personal messages from Jesus to his disciples. This will glorify Jesus. As well He will clarify future things to come in prophecies to his disciples.

ST 505A Spring 2013 - 1 Essay: The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit - David Kerney

In John 16:8-11, we learn about the Spirits relationship to the world. The Spirit of truth will convict (convince, persuade, argue, or even talk to) unbelievers, especially in three areas: Sin, Righteousness and Judgment. The reason the Spirit convicts people is to prepare them for salvation (cf. Acts 17:30-31). [6] Sin of unbelief is the main hinderance for knowing God. Today the greatest sin is the failure to believe in Jesus (cf. 3:18; 15:22, 24). [7] John Wesley noted, He who is convinced of sin either accepts the righteousness of Christ, or is judged with Satan. [8] This conviction is usually not meant for believer. Believers need to be taught to grow in grace, faith, hope, love and holiness. However, when John Wesley preached for his last time at Saint Marys at Oxford he was used of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to alleged Christian leaders. At the end of his sermon, he asked several questions: Does scriptural Christianity exist at Oxford?... [9] From that moment on, he was never asked to preach at Oxford. The Spirit is still speaking to the Church about the life and sacrifice of Jesus is to be accepted and lived. Some of my theological conclusions about the person and work of the Spirit. The Spirit is God and he does not exalt himself. He is not a power or wind. He is God. He is sent by Jesus to dwell in/with believers, because their sins have been atoned for by Jesus crucifixion. The Spirits ministry is to teach, guide, comfort and sanctify believers. They will know Jesus and his will through the Spirits guidance and teaching of truth. He also speaks the claims of Jesus to unbelievers. They will be spoken to about their sins and convicted of them, especially of unbelief, righteousness and judgement to come. Through his ministries to believers and unbelievers he will glorify (honor) Jesus. [1] Gregory of Nazianzen, Oration on the Holy Spirit, XXVI, p.14. [2] Zizioulas, John D. Being as Communion: Studies in Personhood and the Church. St Vladimirs Seminary Pr, 1997, 130. [3] Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, John 16:14. [4] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Jn 15:2627). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, John 16:12-15. [5] Gregory of Nazianzen, Oration on the Holy Spirit, XXVII, p.14. [6] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Jn 15:2627). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, John 16:12-15. [7] ibid. [8] John Wesley Commentary John 16:8. [9] Oden, Thomas C. John Wesleys Teachings, Volume 2: Christ and Salvation. Rev Exp. Zondervan, 2012, Kindle location 2859.