John 14:1-16:33

There’s an old saying regarding Biblical interpretation that “a text taken out of context is a pretext.” In other words, it speaks to the perils of proof texting, making the Bible say whatever you want it to mean.

In today’s passage  (highlighted in Mark Robert’s 5 Day Bible Reading program this week) many have lifted verses from this section to apply them in ways Jesus never intended regarding the work of the Holy Spirit.

The setting actually begins in John 13 following Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s supper when He washed the disciples feet, a powerful lesson on humility and service. After Jesus predicts Judas’ betrayal, he leaves the room. Then He tells Peter you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.

The disciples hearts are heavy and there is a sense of dread and foreboding among them, but Jesus says “Let not your hearts be troubled…” He then begins to detail how He will help them in their future ministry by sending the Holy Spirit to direct them.

Jesus says there are 7 things the Holy Spirit would do for the apostles.

#1 The Holy Spirit would be their helper (14:16).

The old KJV renders this “comforter.” It is the word “parakletos” which means an intercessor, consoler, advocate, or helper. It literally refers to “one who pleads another’s cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate.”

#2 The Holy Spirit would Teach the Apostles and Remind them of the things that Jesus had already taught them. (14:26).

This is basically a promise of inspiration. The work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the apostles was unique. He was the revelator. God would breathe on them so that their teachings would be according to Truth. (2 Tim 3:16-17; Eph. 3:3-5).

The Spirit would be revealing additional teaching that Jesus had not given them in their apostolic office in organizing, leading and equipping the church.

Also the Spirit would divinely remind them of the many things that Jesus taught them during His 3 1/2 year ministry. They were not left to remember this on their own. The Spirit would serve as their “Helper.”

#3 The Holy Sprit would Testify of the Deity of Jesus (15:26).

The apostles needed evidence to the world that they were sent by God. After Jesus left and ascended back to heaven, it was their responsibility to witness to the world. Yet what would compel people to accept the word of these men?

This was the unique work of the Holy Spirit. But how did the Spirit testify of Jesus? Heb 2:1-4 tells us the Word was confirmed through “signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit…”

#4 The Holy Spirit would convict the world of…. (16:7-10)

,,,Sin. The Holy spirit, through the preaching of Peter, and the other apostles, cut the hearts of those who heard the gospel preached on Pentecost. They were convinced and convicted. Their consciences were pricked. And they felt the guilt of their wrong doing.

…Righteousness. Jesus is prophetically spoken of as the “Sun of Righteousness” (Mal 4:2). He fulfilled all Righteousness (Matt. 3:15). Paul in the book of Romans speaks of the righteousness revealed in the gospel and that is brought about by Jesus. He brings Righteousness. The Holy Spirit would convict people of that fact through the apostles’ work and ministry.

…Judgment. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to bring a judgment upon the world and upon the Devil. He overcame the Evil One. Jesus’ work qualified not only as a Justifier of mankind, but the Judge. The Spirit will speak of judgment upon the world through the mouth of Jesus’ appointed ambassadors.

#5The Holy Spirit would Guide the apostles into all Truth (16:13).

“What is truth?” Pilate would later ask. Jesus’ answer is “God’s Word is Truth” (Jn 17:17). The Spirit would guide the apostles into that Truth, as he searched the mind of God and made it known (1 Cor 2:9-10).

What about continuing revelation? The promise to the apostles was that the Spirit would guide them into ALL Truth. Jude 3 affirms that the work was accomplished.

#6 The Holy Spirit would Tell them things to come (16:13).

The Holy Spirit tells us about apostasy, the coming of Christ and the future hope of heaven. Certainly there is much yet to learn, but the Spirit told the apostles of future events that encourage us today.

#7 The Spirit would Glorify Christ (16:14)

All that the Spirit did was to exalt and glorify the Son of God. After all He is a Advocate of the same kind. Any claim today of the Spirit’s work that does not glorify Christ cannot be accepted as authentic.

This work of the Holy Spirit was promised to and unique to the apostles’ ministry in the first century. Preachers, pastors and Bible teachers today must read and study the Spirit inspired Word revealed in the Bible. The Holy Spirit is not speaking to me directly, continuing to reveal some new truth, or leading me in a direction contrary to the Word.

Lifting any of these verses out of their context becomes a mere pretext.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman