STUDIES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN- PART 77

                              June 20, 2007

Chapter 14, verses 25-26- In contrast with Jesus being present and speaking with them, the Holy Spirit of God will teach them in Jesus’ absence.  Again, He is called the paraklatos =Helper.  Jesus characterizes the Holy Spirit as One “whom the Father will send in my name”.  Note 15:26 where it is Jesus who sends the Spirit. 

  The Holy Spirit of God “will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you”.  In this declaration, Jesus

has prepared for the work of illumination and inspiration of the apostles that, in turn, will produce the New Testament documents that we call the “Word of God”.

This critical work of God’s Spirit allows us to possess an inspired text that

is authoritative and enabling.

1) See I Cor.2:10-16- Paul explains that what we could not know by empirical

observation, the Holy Spirit reveals [apekalupsin], so that we can “know the things that have been freely given to us by God”.  Paul goes on in vs.13

to explain that “these things” are spoken in words which the Holy Spirit teaches.

These “words” are both human and divine; they come from a individual human

vocabulary, but carry the weight and value of divine revelation.

2) See II Tim.3:15-17- Paul encourages Timothy to continue in what he has learned and relates that to his childhood experience of knowing the holy scriptures, which gave him the wisdom to have saving faith in Christ.  He then declares “all scripture is given by inspiration of God”- the word is theopneustos= God-breathed- which gives the sense of the active work of

the Holy Spirit (although He is not specifically named in the text)  in filling the writers of scripture and thus protecting the scripture from error.  Paul’s next word is “profitable” =ophelimos.  This indicates the sufficiency of the inspired text to bring transformation to the believer.  This sufficiency is seen in doctrine, ..reproof,..correction,…instruction in righteousness.  He closes with an

important purpose clause- “that the man of God might be complete, thoroughly equipped…”  These words re-enforce the sense of sufficiency of scripture!

   The last words, “for every good work”  reveals that this authoritative inspiration and complete sufficiency of the text can produce all   that is needed in a believer’s life that may be called “good work”.  While there are aspects such as the indwelling Holy Spirit and the local church leadership with gifts, yet the basis of spiritual change or growth in a church-age believer rests upon the power and work of the scriptures themselves to bring about true spiritual transformation.  The indwelling Spirit and the local church leadership is NOT  to work independent of inspired scripture, but using  the inspired scripture.

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  Jesus, in vs.26, anticipates this enormous and valued work of God, the Holy

Spirit in producing NT scripture.  His work to  “teach you all things..bring to your remembrance all things” was marvelous in the lives of Matthew, Mark,

Luke, John, Peter, James and Jude (possible another if Paul did not write Hebrews).

Chapter 14, verse 27- again, Jesus offers inner peace to His disciples—“not as the world gives”- it is a true peace rather than simply something to cover

anxiety.  The peace that Christ gives is to offset fear and trouble.