The Holy Spirit

From: Young Christian: Volume 12, 1922

• 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Jesus said to His loved ones on earth, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth,” (John 14:16, 17¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷Even 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. (John 14:16‑17)).

And again, “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” (John 16:7⁷Nevertheless 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. (John 16:7)).

This blessed promise was fulfilled when Jesus had ascended to the right hand of God. As Peter said on the day of Pentecost, “Having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Acts 2:33³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33). Disciples on earth received the Spirit. He had wrought in men in the ages which had passed, and He will work again in the age to come; but on the day of Pentecost the Comforter came from heaven to earth, henceforth making the body of the believer His temple, and also dwelling in the church. This is a special characteristic of the present interval (Acts 2; 4:31; 10:44, 45; 13:2).

People often speak of the Spirit as if He were merely an influence; but while it is perfectly true that He influences, and that powerfully, the Holy Ghost is a divine person.

John 16:13-15¹³Howbeit 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 show you things to come. ¹⁴He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. ¹⁵All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. (John 16:13‑15) is exceedingly plain as to this: “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 show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. . .”

He sanctifies (or, sets apart). (1 Peter 1:2²Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2)). Dwells in believers. (John 14:17¹⁷Even 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. (John 14:17)).

Joins them to the Lord and each other. (1 Cor. 6:17; 12:13¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)).

Is the anointing. (2 Cor. 1:21²¹Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; (2 Corinthians 1:21)).

The seal for the day of redemption. (2 Cor. 1:22²²Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:22)).

The earnest of future blessing. (Eph. 1:13, 14¹³In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14)).

And also dwells in the house of God. (Eph. 2:22²²In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22); 1 Cor. 3:16¹⁶Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)).

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