Comforter (Counselor)- Spirit of Truth (John 15:18-27) By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Comforter (Counselor)- Spirit of Truth (John 15:18-27) 

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce  

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & counseling   

The vine and the branches, being hated and persecuted and separated from the World 

 Scriptures reading (John15:18-27)

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world. But I have chosen you out of the world. This is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master.” if they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obey my teaching, they will obey yours also. They treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: “They hated me without reason.” When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. (vv.1-27) 

 

John 15 verse 25 The reference is to Ps.35:19; 69:4. In this section Christ states (1) the world hates Me (v.18)  (2) My followers are aliens in the world (v.19); (3) the world will persecute you because you are My followers (v.20); (4) the persecutors do not know God (v.21); (5) My words (v.22) and My works (v.24) rebuke them. These arguments are found in many early Christian writings, as instruction to the faithful and as warning to pagans and Jews.  

Verse 26 Counselor. Who goes out from the Father. The mission of the Spirit is from the Father; the Spirit’s witness, therefore, is also that of the Father Himself. The Spirit of reality, who is sent by the Son from the Father, comes not only from the Father but also with the Father. The Father is the source. When this Spirit comes from the source, He does not leave the source but comes with the source. This Spirit, sent by the Son and coming with the Father, testifies concerning the Son. Therefore, His testimony concerning the Son is a matter of the Triune God.

 

Bibliography,

Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie Study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.