Lesson 237 - Junior
Memory Verse
"When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).
Notes
A Warning
This was Jesus' farewell sermon to His disciples. He gave them some words of warning concerning the persecution that they would go through. Then when the suffering came, they need not be fearful nor surprised. Some people would do harm to the disciples and think that they had done a great service to God. They would act in such a manner because they did not believe in Jesus. They believed in God -- but not in Jesus.
Saul
There is an interesting account of one such person, who persecuted the Christians and thought that he was doing service to God. His name was Saul of Tarsus, later called. As Saul journeyed to Damascus with letters of authority to imprison any disciples of Jesus, the Lord revealed Himself to him [ACT:26:15]). A great light from Heaven was so bright that Saul was blind for three days. The voice of the Lord called his name, and Saul answered, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" [ACT:9:6]). Saul followed the instructions of the Lord. He prayed and was saved. Saul became a missionary and a great witness to the power of God.
Jesus to Leave Them
When Jesus told His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go away, their hearts were filled with sorrow. Jesus said, "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shalt see me, because I go to the Father." The disciples could not understand what Jesus meant. He explained to them that there would be a time of sorrow for them while the world rejoiced. But the time of weeping would not last. There would come a time of great rejoicing. Jesus was to leave them, at which time they would be sorrowful; but Jesus was to appear to them again, bringing great Joy to them.
A Comforter
With words of encouragement, Jesus gave the disciples a wonderful promise that the Comforter would come to them after Jesus had gone. Who is the Comforter? The Comforter is the Holy Ghost [JHN:14:26]), who is a Member of the Trinity. He is one of the Three "that bear record in heaven the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (I [JHN:5:7]). What would the Comforter do? He would guide the disciples into all truth, for He is the "Spirit of truth" (John 16.13). He would bring to their remembrance the things which Jesus had told them and which they had not understood [JHN:14:26]).
Comfort and Help
Jesus was not going to leave the disciples alone to spread the Gospel. Jesus said that He would pray to the Father who would send the Comforter. The Holy Ghost would both comfort and help them. He would help them to know the truth. He would teach the disciples. "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you . . . what ye ought to say" [LUK:12:12]).
Witnesses
Another work of the Holy Ghost would be to testify and witness of Jesus with the disciples. By so doing, the Holy Ghost would glorify Jesus The Lord had told the disciples before that they would have power to do even greater works than He had done [JHN:14:12]). "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me" [ACT:1:8]).
Conviction
Jesus said that the Holy Ghost would reprove the world of sin. As the Spirit of truth, He would show men the true condition of their lives By knowing the truth, they would have a chance to repent and be saved "The truth shall make you free" [JHN:8:32]). The Spirit convicts one of his sin. Conviction leads to repentance and salvation. One must realise that he is a sinner before he can go to God for forgiveness.
There is an example in the life of Peter that the Holy Ghost reproves of sin. After Peter had received the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost he preached a sermon to a multitude. When the people heard Peter's words they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The Holy Ghost had convicted them of their sins. Peter told them to repent. Many believed his words, and 3,000 people were converted that day [ACT:2:37-41]).
One day Felix, the governor, sent for Paul, "and heard him concerning the faith in Christ." As he listened to Paul, the Holy Ghost convicted Felix. "As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled" [ACT:24:24-25]). He did not repent. He sent Paul away, but the Spirit of truth had been faithful to reprove him.
Righteousness
Jesus said that the Holy Ghost would also witness of righteousness. Jesus would be gone. No longer could people see the example of righteousness in Jesus' life. But none would have an excuse, because the Spirit of truth would witness to a life of righteousness, and would convince men that they should live right. Jesus not only gave the example but He also gave the power to live right. Only through Jesus and His righteousness can we be righteous [2CO:5:21]). Because Jesus was obedient, even so far as to give His life and die for us, we can be made righteous through His Blood [ROM:4:25];[ROM:5:19];).
A part of the work of the Holy Ghost would be to convince men of righteousness. It is necessary that we live godly, how, and righteous lives if we would enter Heaven. In speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" [MAT:5:20]). The scribes and Pharisees were religious people, but Christ expects His people to live more than a religious life. To live righteously is required of the followers of Jesus. We are told to put on the whole armour of God, a part of which is "the breastplate of righteousness" [EPH:6:14]). We are warned to flee the things which are evil and "follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life" [1TM:6:11-12]).
Judgment
The Holy Ghost will also reveal that there is a judgment. Satan, as prince of this world, is judged; but so will each person stand before the Judge of all the earth. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" [2CO:5:10]).
The Comforter
The Holy Ghost, who was to comfort and to help, could not be received by the people of the world (I [JHN:14:17]). Jesus promised that God would send the Comforter to His disciples. Who were Jesus' disciples? They were the people who were saved, and who followed Jesus. He said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" [JHN:8:31]).
Jesus told His disciples how they might have this Comforter. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments'' [JHN:14:15]). A true test of their love was the keeping of Jesus' commandments, and obedience to all His words. He not only taught sanctification, but Jesus also set the example that His followers "also might be sanctified" [JHN:17:19]).
Sanctification, the second work of grace, is an experience for those who are saved. It cleanses the heart from inbred sin and takes out the root of evil. It comes as one prays and consecrates his life more fully to God. It is the will of God that Jesus' followers receive sanctification. "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" [1TS:4:3]). One must do the will of God in order to be a disciple. Two experiences -- salvation and sanctification -- come before the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and are necessary to qualify a person to receive the Comforter.
The disciples were told that the Comforter would come to abide. He would not only dwell with them, or just visit them, but He would do even more than that. He would dwell in them [JHN:14:17]). This did come to pass on the Day of Pentecost in an upper room in Jerusalem where Jesus' followers were praying. "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost" [ACT:2:4]). It was not only to the Jewish followers of Jesus that the Holy Ghost was given. Some time later "on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost" [ACT:10:45]).
Promise for Today
This promise of the Comforter is for us, today, who are followers of Jesus and are obedient to His Word. "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" [ACT:2:39]). When we consider what this promised Comforter will do for us, do we not all want to have Him in our lives? Have you received the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost?
Jesus' Command
One of the last commands that Jesus gave was "tarry ye ... until ye be endued with power from on high" [LUK:24:49]). Jesus commanded His disciples to "wait for the promise of the Father,... For John truly baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost" [ACT:1:4];[ACT:1:5]). You are not keeping all His commandments if you have not received the Holy Ghost. Pray and consecrate your life to God until you, too, receive this gift. Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" [JHN:16:23]).
The Promise
Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise of the Holy Ghost and by leaving His peace with them. Before He left them, Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" [JHN:16:33]). Because Jesus overcame the world, we, too can be overcomers. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I [JHN:5:4-5]).
Questions
1. To whom was the Comforter promised?
2. Into what would the Spirit of truth guide the disciples?
3. What would He bring to their remembrance?
4. Where was the Holy Ghost to dwell?
5. Who would give the disciples the power to be witnesses for Jesus?
6. If we love Jesus, what will we keep?
7. Who in Bible times received the Holy Ghost?
8. Who can receive the Holy Ghost today?
9. How does one get the Comforter?
10. Why should we receive the Holy Ghost into our lives?