With Dale Ratzlaff
John 16:12-15
I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you (Jn. 16:12-15).
These few verses speak directly to two different theological controversies in the Christion church. The first is the liberal view that seeks to find only the very words of Jesus. They think that the Gospel writers added their own words and ideas. They want to find the “historical Jesus” and think they can separate His original sayings from those recorded in our Bibles today. The second notion that I believe is invading Christianity is the idea that the writings of Paul do not reflect the teachings of Jesus. We at LAM often have communication with those who support this second opinion. They feel that any teachings the Apostles added as the church grew, are bogus and therefore should not be considered. However, note well what Jesus is telling His disciples as He prepares to leave their direct tutelage:
I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
Here is clear evidence that Jesus did not personally give the disciples all the truth. He gave them what was the truth, but the summation of His earthly teachings recorded in the Gospels does not comprehend the whole system of truth. “Many things” may mean either a number of teachings or much instruction. The heart of Jesus wanted to give them the whole load of truth, but He could not do so because of their inability to comprehend. These additional truths would be given by the Holy Spirit. For example, Paul was confronted by the Living Christ on the road to Damascus and then later he received additional insights into the gospel he so clearly outlines in Romans and his other epistles. These additional truths build on and expand the teachings of Christ. The additional revelations of the Holy Spirit were given to help the Apostles maintain the truth of the gospel and not let the burgeoning church be sidetracked by false apostles or anti-gospel teachings.
Jesus told His disciples that they could not “bear” these many truths now. This was true for two reasons. First, they were all on the cusp of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. Sorrow had filled their hearts because of Jesus’ announcement that he was going away where they could not now come. Second, many of these truths of the gospel could only be understood and received after Jesus rose from the dead and the Holy Spirit had been poured out at Pentecost.
We notice the many uses of the masculine pronoun “He” for the Holy Spirit.
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
There are some today who espouse the idea that the Holy Spirit is a force like electricity and not a personality. By using the masculine article connected to “Spirit”, Jesus is clearly showing that the Holy Spirit is a personality, a member of the Trinity, but having a unique role in that He does not speak of Himself.
The Holy Spirit is called “The Spirit of Truth” because He “guides into all truth.” Here is the secret of the advancing knowledge and power of the Apostolic church. Here also is a promise for all of us. The Spirit will guide us into all truth. We must, however, look closely at the context. If the Spirit guides all Christians into all truth, then why are there so many conflicting teachings in the various facets of Christianity? The answer, I believe, is that we must recognize that the Spirit does not come to testify about Himself. His job is to communicate to our spirits (or souls) the truth of what is revealed by Christ, primarily in His Word, the Scriptures. Therefore, it is our lack of biblical understanding that is often the root cause of our differences.
There is yet another promise we ought to examine:
He will disclose to you what is to come.
There are several ways we may understand this promise. First, in the immediate context, it can mean that the Spirit will show the disciples the whole message of Christianity. The Spirit will help them put all the objective, historical parts of the death and resurrection of Jesus into a meaningful and saving gospel message.
Second, we are reminded of what Jesus had previously told His disciples:
When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit (Mk. 13:11).
We also see this promise fulfilled in a number of instances in the history of the church.
Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius (Acts 11:27-28).
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot” (Acts 8:29).
And the Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man’s house (Act 11:12).
…and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them (Acts 16:7).
The overarching ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ—the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. This is, and always will be, the central focus of new covenant life.
He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
Should we expect the guidance of the Holy Spirit today? Personally, I believe that at times of God’s choosing we may be supernaturally guided by the Holy Spirit. Now, nearly everyone has access to the Scriptures so there is less of a reason to expect supernatural guidance as we have the word of God in our hands. However, to limit the work of the Spirit is not a wise thing to do. Our theological “boxes” can easily be broken by the power of the Spirit who takes from Christ and discloses it to us. We can thank God for the promise of the Spirit’s work in our lives. He develops the “fruit” of the Spirit, He guides us into all truth, and yes, He can disclose to us what is to come as necessary.
Application
- This section of Scripture gives evidence against the liberal belief that only the original words of Christ can be trusted. The Spirit was given to the disciples and later the Apostles to continue to lead the church into all truth.
- Likewise, those who claim Paul’s writings are bogus and not trustworthy should carefully consider Jesus’ clear statement that after He was gone, the Holy Spirit would take over in their ongoing discipleship and give additional truths for the church.
- It is the function of the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus, not Himself. Therefore, those who seek manifestations of the Spirit separate from the gospel of Christ must be questioned.
- We can thank God that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives developing the fruit of the Spirit.
- We should be open to the Holy Spirit for His guidance and insight as we study the word of God.
- When facing unusual circumstances be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for the Holy Spirit who is Christ’s representative now that Christ is at your side in heaven. Make my heart a willing vessel for your presence in my life. Guide me in my study of the Bible. Impress upon my mind the truths I need for each and every situation. May I be faithful to give all glory to Christ my Savior,
In Jesus name.
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