John 16:12-15 12Many things I have yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now. 13But when that one comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak about himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will disclose to you the things that are to come.
The disciples were like small children in regards to their faith and understanding. Their theology was basic. Jesus could have spent many years unpacking everything with them, but the time had come for his departure. He had planted the seeds. They had three resources to help them. First, they had the Old Testament Scriptures, which gave the reason why Jesus came. The Law, Prophets, and Writings told the story of the people of God and showed their need for a Savior.
Second, the disciples also had the teachings of Jesus and their three years of living with him. These teachings and activities are now recorded in the four canonical Gospels. We can listen in and imagine the scenes and events that took place during those years thanks to the authors of these books and the faithful accounts handed down through eyewitnesses.
Third, they would soon be given the Holy Spirit, who would witness to the truth of both the Scriptures and testimonies once Jesus left. This is the last of the sayings Jesus gave about the Spirit during the last meal. Verse 13 gives several important insights about the Spirit. Again, Jesus repeats the phrase the Spirit of truth. Truth is a central theme in John’s Gospel. All truth–if it is really true–is related somehow, even if remotely, to Jesus, who is the Truth. Everything of creation is bound to Jesus as the Word through whom it was created. All philosophical and theological truth points to Jesus, who is the full revelation of the omniscient God. All social and cultural relationships find their peace in him who is the Prince of Peace. The Spirit is the guide into these deeper truths for those who put their faith in Jesus and consecrate themselves to his will, purpose, and lifestyle.
The Spirit is also the spokesperson for the Trinity. When we experience God, this experience is mediated through the Spirit. The Spirit speaks in many ways. The clearest and most direct way is through the Bible, which records God’s saving grace throughout the ages. The Bible records the words of Jesus, which directly help us know his teachings. The Spirit also speaks through people who have insight into God’s ways because of their own reading of the Bible and time in prayer and fellowship. These “preachers of the Word” must derive their message from the Bible and be consistent with the witness and theology found in it, otherwise, they are not listening to or faithful witnesses of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit can also speak to us individually through our consciences and natural revelation evidence through careful study and reflection. All three of these forms of revelation must be consistent, for the Spirit will always bear witness to the truth as found in Jesus.
Not only would the Spirit remind the disciples of what Jesus taught in the past (14:26), he would lead them to new truths. These truths would be related to the future in the form of prophecy. This prophecy would also be consistent with the forms of revelation above, particularly what is found in the Bible. Any so-called prophecy that does not agree with the truth of Jesus revealed in the Bible is not true prophecy, for the Spirit will not contradict this truth. The Spirit leads God’s people to new applications of the truths of the Bible. In the first generation of Christians, God raised up special prophets, like John, Paul, Peter, James, Jude, and other writers of our New Testament, to proclaim prophetic visions of the future. These visions are also consistent with the truth found in Jesus. Later, “prophets” tried to imitate them, but their prophecies diverted from this truth, so the church rejected them as false. False prophets can also be found today who claim to have new visions from the Holy Spirit about the future. If their visions are not consistent with the truth of Jesus as found in the Bible, they must be rejected as well.
For older posts, click here.
