Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June 1/57

Contributor - John S. Ter Louw

Title - The Promised Spirit

Topic - Holy Spirit

We do well to study our Bibles so that we may know what Jesus taught about the coming of the Holy Spirit and His work. For unless we observe carefully what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit and all that He would do after He was come, we shall not give the Third Person in the blessed Trinity the honour that is due unto Him. That will in itself already be tragic and sinful; but it will also prevent us from doing our work for the Lord in the most effective and efficient manner.

As we listen to the Saviour, we discover that He placed great value upon the Holy Spirit's coming and presence. As we turn to the Gospel according to John, chapters 14, 15 and 16, called "The Holy of Holies" by Dr. Alexander MacLaren, because Jesus uttered them at the last Passover feast and the institution of the Lord's Supper, we notice that Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit as "another Comforter" Whom the Father would give unto the disciples. He was also called "the Spirit of Truth" (John 14:16, 17, 26). As we think of the word "Comforter", we must not restrict its meaning to that which it has today. Comforter would mean in our time, "One who consoles us in our sorrow." The older meaning, which it had in Jesus day, is much broader. Then it meant "One who provides strength; one who is at our side to plead our cause; one who gives us whatever help we need."

That meaning of the word reveals at once how the coming of the Holy Spirit took on great significance for the disciples of that day. Jesus had just told them that He was leaving them. That had occasioned great sorrow of heart. He sought to ease that burden of sorrow by saying, "Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. Lo, I go to prepare a place for you. When I shall have prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you unto myself: that where I am, ye may be also." However, Jesus does not let the matter rest at that point. The words must have sounded like sweet music in their ears. Yet Jesus proceeds and says"That He will pray to the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive: for it beholdeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. For He abideth with you, and shall be in you."

This other "Comforter" would be to them, the disciples, as Jesus had been. He would be their constant companion, their daily consoler in time of trouble, and their ever present helper. And "He would guide them into all Truth." This Spirit of Truth would teach them all truth. He would bring to their remembrance all that Jesus had taught and said. This Holy Spirit the Father would send in Jesus name.

And having said that, Jesus said to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give f unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." What teaching and blessing and strength come from these few words of "the Teacher come from God!"

Since the Holy Spirit had this meaning for the disciples, it has equal meaning for us. Let's always remember Pentecost!

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