When studying any subject, especially controversial subjects, it is important to put down all the information before coming to a conclusion. The Holy Spirit and the Comforter are controversial subjects and many people make decisions before all the information is before them. On this page we will go through the main verses of the above chapters and write down the clues as we progress. At the end, we should clearly see who the Comforter is.
To put ourselves in the setting, let us begin with John 13. Jesus is at His last Passover. It is Nisan 14, the day He will be crucified.
The meal is over and Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples. He introduces the disciples to the ordinance of communion and they partake of it. Jesus then tells them of the betrayer, bringing consternation to all. After identifying Judas, which is not recognised by the disciples, Judas leaves the upper room.
Then Jesus can begin speaking to His disciples in a way He could not while the betrayer was present.
John 13:31.32. Jesus says, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
The disciples probably do not understand these words, but then Jesus tells them something they do understand.
Verse 33-35. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have lone one to another.
The disciples pass over the command to love, because the words Jesus has said about going away hit them hard.
V36. Peter says, Lord, whither goes thou?
Jesus replies, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
V37. This is not enough for Peter and he continues. Lord why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Knowing the disciples' future, no doubt Jesus speaks very gently. Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Then he says, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
We are well aware of Peter's reaction, but John does not comment on it. Instead he gives Jesus' wonderful words of His Father's house. It is important to realise that these words continue on from the previous chapter, there being no chapter divisions in the original.
Jesus sees the consternation and fear of His beloved children and He wants to encourage them. So He says,
14:1-3. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus has in fact answered the question asked by Peter, Where are you going? He is going to His Father's house, but not one disciple understands.
V4. Then He says, And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
The disciples have no idea, and their reaction is obvious.
V5. Thomas says, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way.
V5. Jesus replies. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
This answer is not what the disciples wanted to hear, and it completely baffled them. Their thoughts were literal, as they were most of the time. It did not tell them where Jesus was going and it did not tell them the way, or so they thought. In reality it did tell them the way, but they missed it altogether.
V7. Jesus continues. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
Now the thoughts of the disciples go off on another track.
V8. Philip asks, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Again, they are thinking literally. They thought if they could see the Father with their eyes, they would be satisfied.
V9. Jesus replies. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Jesus' feelings show in His answer. His disciples have been with Him three and a half years, and it is the last night of their walk. The disciples have no idea what Jesus means.
V10.11. Jesus continues. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Jesus is giving the disciples an alternative to understanding all His words by saying they should just believe because of the works He has done during His ministry. He has made it clear to them that the works were done by His Father, and His words were from the Father, but the rest of His address to them goes right over their heads.
At this point, you and I must understand that we do not know what He is talking about either. Jesus has not explained His words, and further on He tells them, 16:25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs....
The word for proverbs in the Greek is paroimia, which means something hidden or obscure. Jesus is using figurative language and does not expect the disciples to understand. It was the same with His parables. He knew the people would not understand, but later they were explained to those who were sincerely wanting to know. So it would be with this subject.
14:12-14. Jesus continues. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
The disciples still have their minds on the words of Jesus said earlier. He is going away and they are fearful.
V16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
At this point, it is important not to try and identify the Comforter in this passage. Jesus is simply giving comfort to His disciples to say that He will ask the Father to give them another to comfort them when he goes away. The disciples know no more than the words given above. Neither do we in our study.
On our separate page we can write:
Comforter
Sent by the Father
Will abide with them forever.
That is all we know and it is all the disciples would know.
V17. Jesus continues. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Again, the disciples do not understand. Jesus words are paroimia; obscure language. On our serparate page we can add the words.
Spirit of truth
World cannot receive, sees Him not, nor knows Him
Disciples know Him, for He dwells with them
He will be in them
V18 Jesus tells His disciples -- I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
These words can be added to our list.
Jesus said He could not leave them comfortless
He would come to them
V19. Jesus continues speaking. In a little while, and the world seeth me not more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
All the disciples can understand is that Jesus is going away.
V20.21. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Add these plain words to the list.
Jesus would manifest Himself to the disciples, not to the world
Again the disciples are confused, however, they have understood one thing.
V22. Judas (not Iscariot) asks. Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
It is an obvious question. Jesus is sitting among them and they can see Him. If a non-believer came into their midst, he would see Him too. It seems impossible for one group to see Jesus and the other not be able to.
V23.24. Jesus replies. If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
We can imagine the disciples sighing inwardly. Jesus’ answer is not satisfactory.
Remember it is Jesus’ intention to speak in obscure paroimia language, although He did expect them to understand more than they did.
On our separate paper we can write the following:
The Father will make His abode in the disciples
Jesus will make His abode in them
Those who do not love and obey Jesus do not have the Father or Jesus
The words of Jesus come from the Father who sent Him
V25.26. Jesus tenderly says to His disciples, These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and being all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The words are clear enough, but for the disciples, they are obscure. We now have some more clues.
The Comforter is the Holy Ghost
The Father will send in Jesus’ name
He will teach them all things
He will bring all things to their remembrance Christ had taught them
The disciples minds and hearts are on one thing -- Jesus is going away. He says to them,
V27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”)
It is very tempting to look at the separate page and make a decision. But if we do that now, we will come to the wrong conclusion. If we believe in the Trinity, that is what we will see. Instead we must progress with the disciples.
V28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If you loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Oh yes, the disciples remember Jesus is going away, but to rejoice? How can they do that? No, their minds could think no further than being alone without Jesus, in spite of the fact that he has said He would come to them. In context with this chapter, we must not think of the second coming for this verse. Jesus is still referring to a time prior to His return.
We can add this to our list.
Disciples should rejoice that Jesus is going to His Father
If they love Him, they would rejoice
The Father is greater than Jesus
V29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
The minds of the disciples will one day light up with understanding — Oh, that is what He meant.
Another verse further on tells us that Jesus wanted to tell them more. Jesus said, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. John 16:12. It could be because it is very close to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden, but also because they were having difficulty understanding anything He said.
Jesus concludes His talk in the upper room.
V30.31. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing In me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Jesus and His disciples walk slowly to Gethsemane. It is a full moon and their path is brightly lit before them. It is about 11.00pm, and the city is asleep.
Jesus continues His discussion, but uses a different illustration, although the language is still figurative.
John 15:1-4. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
You can see that these words speak of three groups –
The Father – the husbandman
Jesus Christ – the true vine
The disciples – the branches of the vine
Jesus is telling His disciples that unless they “abide in him”, they cannot bear fruit.
V5.6. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
In these words, Jesus uses similar language to His previous lesson – I am in the Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 14:20.
V7-10. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abides in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Those who obey His commandments will bear much fruit. This is the same as in chapter 14:23 – If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him..
We can add this information to our separate page.
Husbandman – the Father
True vine – Jesus Christ
Branches of the vine – the disciples
The disciples must abide in Christ and will bring forth much fruit
Those who do not abide in Christ can do nothing
His words must abide in them, and their prayers will be heard
Bearing much fruit will glorify the Father
V11-25. In these verses, Jesus teaches His disciples more on how to live the life of a follower. He tells them they are friends if they obey Him and not servants because He has told them all the words of the Father. They are to love one another, although the world will hate them. They will be persecuted because their enemies will not hear the words of Christ or His Father. They hate Christ and therefore hate His Father.
V26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Once again Jesus has return to speaking of the Comforter and He adds more clues. Write on the paper the following:
Comforter will be sent by Jesus
Comforter is the Spirit of truth which proceeds from the Father
He will testify of Christ
Jesus continues His conversation without chapter breaks.
John 16:1-6. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues, yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
Clearly it is not the information about persecution that has put sorrow in the hearts of the disciples, but the fact that Jesus is going away. It is interesting that Jesus says – None of you asketh me, Whither goes thou? – and yet this is the very first question asked by Peter. John 13:36. Lord whither goest thou? Obviously Jesus has something else in mind when He says these words.
Jesus again gives His disciples encouragement, although they probably only hear the words about His going away.
V7-12. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…
Although Jesus keeps referring to going away, He also refers to the comfort that will be given to His disciples. They will not be left alone.
V13-15. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
On our sheet of paper we can write the following:
Jesus must go away or the Comforter will not come
If Jesus departs, He will send him to the disciples
The Comforter will reprove world of sin, righteousness, judgment
The Spirit of truth will guide the disciples into all truth
He won’t speak of Himself, but what he hears
He will show things to come
He will glorify Christ
V16. Jesus continues. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
V17.18. The disciples are still confused and they begin a little discussion among themselves. What does Jesus mean – a little while? We don’t understand. Obviously they are lagging behind on their moonlight walk.
V19. But Jesus knows they want to ask him, so He says, Do you inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
Jesus now has their attention, but He continues in a surprising way.
V20-22. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Jesus is not referring to His second coming, nor even to His resurrection, but when (and after) the Spirit is poured out. This is clear from the following verses.
V23-28. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs (paroimia): but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
While Jesus is with His disciples (after His resurrection), they do not need to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name. It is only after He has gone to His Father. Then Jesus will speak plainly of the Father.
However, Jesus begins to speak plainly to the disciples, and they are thrilled. He now tells them He came out (Greek-exelthon) from God, or came forth (exelthon) from the Father, and came into the world. The disciples understand Jesus ‘came forth/out from God’.
Whether this relates to His heavenly birth or leaving heaven, we won't speculate as this is not our topic of study, but the disciples now believe Jesus had come from God, in a way they had not understood before. The Greek word exelthon has a wide range of meanings, all relating to coming out from somewhere, including from a house, a land, the body, the heart, the mouth and many others. And of many and various things, such as reports, rumours, messages, precepts, attitudes, liquids, lightning etc. It means to issue, come, depart, escape, get out, go abroad, away, to proceed, spread abroad. Our understanding of any subject is not based on the meaning of a word alone, but on rightly dividing the Scripture. So we will leave this aspect of Jesus' words.
V29.30. The disciples say to Jesus, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb (paroimia). Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
The disciples are excited. They have not understood the lessons Jesus has been teaching them, but now they are quite certain He knows all things. They know He does not need to ask anyone anything, because He ‘came out of God’.
V31. You can feel the relief of Jesus in His words, for He says, Do ye now believe?
V32. Jesus then warns the disciples what will take place that night. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
He has not given this information to frighten the disciples, but to encourage them.
V33. He tells them, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
At this point John stops Jesus' conversation with the disciples. Be of good cheer.
Now John records the prayer of Jesus to His Father, the only one to do so.
John 17:1-3. Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee; As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.
Skipping past the next two verses we read earlier, note Jesus’ words.
V6-8. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
If you caught the relief and joy of Jesus when His disciples told Him they believed He came out from God, you will see that Jesus is now telling His Father.
Moving on through the chapter, verses 9-16, Jesus continues to tell His Father of the disciples.
V17-20. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.
How wonderful to know that Jesus prayed for us. Jesus prayed for you and me. Everything Jesus has promised His disciples now applies to us as well.
The next words of Jesus are very important, as they align with the lesson He was teaching His disciples, however, to the Son of God they are not paroimia. He understands every word He is telling His Father, and is speaking as if the future has already begun.
V21-26. That they all may be one as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Again, there are clues from Jesus’ words.
Jesus wants us all to be one as He is one with His Father
The Father is in Christ
Christ is in the Father
Jesus wants all to see glory had before the foundation of the world
Jesus wants the Father's love to be in us
He wants to be in us also.
It is now time to put together all the clues on our separate paper.
Comforter sent by the Father
Will abide with the disciples forever
Spirit of truth
World cannot receive, sees Him not, nor knows Him
Disciples know Him, for He dwells with them
He will be in them
Jesus said He would not leave the disciples comfortless
He would come to them
Jesus would manifest Himself to the disciples, not to the world
Those who love and obey Jesus, the Father will love
The Father will make His abode in them
Jesus will make His abode in them
Those who do not love and obey Jesus will not have Father or Jesus
The words of Jesus come from the Father who sent Him
The Comforter is Holy Ghost -- the Father will send in Jesus' name
He will teach the disciples all things
He will bring all things to their remembrance Christ taught
Disciples should rejoice that Jesus is going to His Father
If they loved Him, they would rejoice
The Father is greater than Jesus
Husbandman – the Father
True vine – Jesus Christ
Branches of the vine – the disciples
The disciples must abide in Christ and will bring forth much fruit
Those who do not abide in Christ can do nothing
His words must abide in them, and their prayers will be heard
Bearing much fruit will glorify the Father
Comforter will be sent by Jesus
Comforter is the Spirit of truth, proceeding from the Father
He will testify of Christ
Jesus must go away or the Comforter will not come
If Jesus departs, He will send him to the disciples
The Comforter will reprove the world sin, righteousness, judgment
The Spirit of truth will guide the disciples into all truth
He won’t speak of Himself, but what he hears
He will show things to come
He will glorify Christ
Everything belonging to the Father belongs to Christ
Jesus wants us all to be one as He is one with His Father
The Father is in Christ
Christ is in the Father
Jesus wants us all to see the glory He had
Jesus wants the Father's love to be in them
He wants to be in them also
Of these clues, there are some of which we can be certain. Others are in figurative language. We are unable to explain them of ourselves, and will need further information from the Comforter, who Jesus said would teach all things and bring to remembrance all that He had taught. Therefore, we are reliant upon spiritual help.
First, the things we do understand.
1. The Comforter is sent by the Father in Jesus’ name who love and obey Him
2. The Comforter received from Father by Jesus sends to who love, obey Him
3. The Comforter is the Holy Ghost/Spirit
4. The Comforter is the Spirit of truth
5. The Comforter will glorify Christ
6. The Comforter will reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment
7. The Comforter will guide us into all truth
8. The Comforter will show things to come
9. The Comforter will bring all to remembrance that Jesus taught
10. The Comforter will abide with us forever
11. The Comforter is not seen by the world because it does not know Him
12. The Comforter will testify of Christ
(X Used) X Comforter sent by the Father
X Will abide with the disciples forever
X Spirit of truth
X World cannot receive, sees Him not, nor knows Him
Disciples know Him, for He dwells with them
He will be in them
Jesus said He would not leave the disciples comfortless
He would come to them
Jesus would manifest Himself to the disciples, not to the world
Those who love and obey Jesus, the Father will love
The Father will make His abode in them
Jesus will make His abode in them
X Those do not love and obey Jesus not have Father or Jesus
The words of Jesus come from the Father who sent Him
X The Comforter is the Holy Ghost
X The Father will send in Jesus
X He will teach the disciples all things
X He will bring all things to their remembrance Christ taught
Disciples should rejoice that Jesus is going to His Father
If they loved Him, they would rejoice
The Father is greater than Jesus
Husbandman – the Father
True vine – Jesus Christ
Branches of the vine – the disciples
The disciples must abide in Christ and will bring forth much fruit
Those who do not abide in Christ can do nothing
His words must abide in them, and their prayers will be heard
Bearing much fruit will glorify the Father
X Comforter will be sent by Jesus
X Comforter is the Spirit of truth, proceeding from the Father
X He will testify of Christ
Jesus must go away or the Comforter will not come
If Jesus departs, He will send him to the disciples
X The Comforter reprove the world sin, righteousness, judgment
X The Spirit of truth will guide the disciples into all truth
He won’t speak of Himself, but what he hears
X He will show things to come
X He will glorify Christ
Everything belonging to the Father belongs to Christ
Jesus wants us all to be one as He is one with His Father
Father is in Christ
Christ is in the Father
Jesus wants us all to see the glory He had
Jesus wants the Father love to be in them
He wants to be in them also
So what do we know so far in a sentence or two?
Conclusion 1: The Comforter is the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of truth. Either the Father gives this Spirit to His Son who gives it to us, or the Father sends His Spirit to us in His Son’s name. These could be two ways of saying the same thing. The Comforter cannot be received or seen by the world because it does not know Him. The Comforter will reprove the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It will teach, glorify, testify, guide, show, recall, and abide with us forever.
These clues show us clearly that the Comforter is a Person; the Holy Ghost/Spirit is a Person. It is not just an influence or a power, but a Person who has mental capabilities above our own.
But who is the Holy Ghost/Spirit – Spirit of truth?
It is important we do not add information that is not in the text, either the texts we have before us, or in other verses. So let us put down what else we know from the above clues, although it does not necessarily mean we understand them.
The Comforter – Spirit of truth – known by disciples
Dwelt with them
He would be in them
Jesus would not leave His disciples comfortless
He would come to them
Jesus would manifest Himself to the disciples, not to the world
The Father would make His abode in the disciples
Jesus would make His abode in the disciples
Jesus had to leave or not send the Comforter
The disciples should rejoice going to the Father
Jesus wants us all to be one like He is one with the Father
The Father is in Christ
Christ is in the Father
Jesus wants His Father’s love to be in us
Jesus wants to be in us too.
Conclusion 2: If we put together the previous conclusion about the Comforter with these facts, we can come to no other conclusion but that the Comforter is the Father and the Son in Spirit. It does not teach that the Comforter is another Person other than the Father or Christ, as no one else is mentioned. It is a mysterious entity in nature and we do not understand it of itself, but we can understand the words told us by Jesus.
Let us look up a few other verses and see if this conclusion is confirmed.
Matthew 10:19.20. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
You will remember Jesus saying the words He spoke were not His own, but His Father’s.
Luke 12:11.12. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
We can see from these parallel verses, that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Father.
1 Peter 1:10.11. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
The parallel passage follows:
2 Peter 1:21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
This time the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ.
As there is only one Spirit (Ephesians 4:4. Ephesians 2:18), it is obvious that the when Spirit of the Father is given to Christ, it is called the Spirit of Christ. Note how these are interchanged in the following verses:
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. This last phrase is confirmed in Ephesians 2:1.5 and Colossians 2:13.
Thus we can confidently believe that the Comforter – the Spirit of truth – is the Spirit of both the Father and His Son. God and His Son share the same Spirit. Thisis confirmed by our prophet. “They (the Father and Son) were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet one in Spirit, and heart, and character.” Youth’s Instructor. Dec 16.1897 “And being one in Spirit gives us access to the Father through Christ our mediator.” Bible Echo. Jan. 15.1893.
Like Paul, we can say it is the Spirit of the Father, and like Peter, we can say it is the Spirit of Christ. Paul also speaks of the Spirit of Christ in Colossians 1:27 …Christ in you, the hope of glory, and Philippians 1:19 … the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
What does the prophet say about the Comforter? Does she confirm our findings?
“There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart…. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. This Spirit works in and through everyone who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of this Spirit reveal its fruit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Review & Herald. Oct 26. 1897.
“Christ is to be known by the blessed name of Comforter.” Ms 7. 1902. (Jan 26.1902) par 10.
There are many other statements, but these will suffice. Many Adventists do not believe Jesus has omnipresence as He has retained His human flesh, however, our prophet clearly states otherwise. Jesus does have omnipresence through His Spirit.
“In giving His commission to His followers, Christ did not tell them they would be left alone. He assured them that He would be near them. He spoke of His Omnipresence in a special way. Go to all nations, He said. Go, to the farthest portion of the habitable globe, but know that My presence will be there. Labor in faith and confidence, for the time will never come when I shall forsake you.” Ms 138. 1897 (December 2, 1897)
“The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.” The Desire of Ages. 805.
One very clear statement is, “We want the Holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ.” Lt 66 1894. (Apr 10.1894)
Before closing this page, we need to look a little more closely at Jesus’ parable of the vine and the branches, of which the Father is the husbandman, Christ is the vine, and we are the branches.
Do not miss the point that this parable gives the same message as in the upper room where Jesus has spoken of the Father, of Himself and the Comforter.
Although the Comforter is not mentioned in the parable of the vine and the branches, it is there in another form.
Jesus says His disciples, Abide in me, and I in you. Those who do not, will wither and die. Our understanding of nature tells us that the reason one branch will live and the other die is because of its connection to the sap in the branch. If the sap does not flow to the branch, it will die. The sap is the life of the vine. It nourishes the branches that they may bear fruit.
Sister White has spoken of this fact. “Christ is the vine, ye are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine we have no strength.” Early Writings 73.
The sap in the branch parallels the Comforter in the previous lesson. It is also a mysterious entity, but vital. “In this vine is all spiritual life. From Christ’s fullness alone can we obtain nourishment unto eternal life… Fiber by fiber, and vein by vein, the graft adheres to the parent stock, till the life-giving sap flows to the adopted member, causing it to bud, and blossom and bear fruit." R&H Sep 20.1881.
Our prophet asks of Jesus’ illustration -- "I am the vine, ye are the branches." Can we conceive of a more intimate relation to Christ than this? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment through the branch. Such is the true believer's relation to Christ. He abides in Christ, and draws his nourishment from Him.” My Life Today 11. 5T 299.
Of course we need to understand that the two illustrations are different. In John 14, Jesus makes it very clear that the mysterious Comforter -- the Spirit of truth – the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the Father – Christ’s own Spirit -- is a living Person, who can comfort, guide, teach, strengthen, and do everything an intelligent person can do. Conversely, in the parable of the vine, the sap is not a person. It is a mysterious entity used by God and Christ to give life to the branches. Today we understand more about the life-giving sap than did the disciples, but we do not have all the answers. There are still questions.
The parable of the vine is a very clear lesson of the union between the branch and the sap. Like His other parables, Jesus has used nature to illustrate a spiritual lesson. It may not have been understood by the disciples at the time, but after they received the promised Comforter at Pentecost, light would begin to dawn. As they remembered their time with Jesus, His lessons would be understood, for He would fulfil His promise to teach them and bring to remembrance the things He had taught them.
“Jesus said, ‘Without me ye can do nothing’. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, drawing nourishment from Christ, we bear fruit after the similitude of Christ. We live and move in Him; we are one with Him and one with the Father. The name of Christ is glorified in the believing child of God. This is Bible religion.” R&H. May 4. 1897.
In reading the Scriptures, especially the Old Testament, but also the New, there is a veil over the eyes of many. “Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18.
Are you determined to receive Christ's Spirit? He will comfort and nourish you.
Studying John 14, 15, 16,17