PLAN OF THE LESSON. I. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARING WIT- The doctrine of the Trinity. The Spirit's witness and our witness. II. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS COM FORTER, VS. I-7. The disciples' trials and need of comfort. III. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS JUDGE, vs. 8 II. The Spirit convicting men of sin. The Spirit quickening judgment. IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS GUIDE AND A guide into all truth. A teacher of Christ. THE TEACHER'S LIBRARY. Especially helpful treatment in Speer's John's Gospel, Meyer's Love to the Uttermost, Foulkes's Living Bread from the Fourth Gospel, Miller's Devotional Hours with the Bible, Maclaren's Expositions, Finney's Lectures to Professing Christians, Kingsley's All Saints' Day. Odenheimer's Sermons. Westcott's Peterborough Sermons. Nicoll's Sunday Evening (five sermons). Chapman's Revival Sermons. Burrell's In the Upper Room. Morgan's The Life of the Christian. Phillips Brooks's Seeking Life. Bushnell's Christ and His Salvation. Lorimer's The Galilean. Bradford's Spirit and Life. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: The Holy Spirit, Witness, Judge, Guide, Teacher. I. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARING WITNESS OF JESUS, vs. 26, 27. In the preceding verse of John 15 our Lord has been opening the future to his followers. "The prospect was a gloomy one. The world would be arrayed in hatred against them. They, a little band, insignificant, feeble, unlearned, with no advantages and no authority, would have to resist it. How could they hope to stand their ground, to say nothing of establishing their Master's kingdom and propagating his views ? This lesson is the answer." - Rev. Gordon Calthrop. 26. But when the Comforter is come. The word translated Comforter is, literally, "Paraclete." It comes from two Greek words meaning 66 one called to another's side to aid him, as an advocate in a court of justice.". Professor Marvin R. Vincent. The Holy Spirit is therefore our Advocate or Counsel," who suggests true reasonings to our minds, and true courses of action for our lives, and who convicts our adversary, the world, of wrong, and pleads our cause before God our Father." 27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. Jesus himself is an Advocate (1 John 2 : 1), and the Holy Spirit is another Advocate (John 14:16). Such an Advocate is indeed a Comforter, giving us just the aid and solace we most need. "The wider significance of Helper' is preferable." - Prof. H. P. Forbes. Whom I will send unto you from the Father. "I is emphatic. Jesus insists at every opportunity upon the truth that the Spirit is his own continued influence." Westminster New Testament. "Here it is the Son who sends the Paraclete from the Father. In John 14: 16 the Father sends in answer to the Son's prayer. In John 14: 26 the Father sends in the Son's name. These are three ways of expressing that the mission of the Paraclete is the act both of the Father and of the Son, who are one." Cambridge Bible. By the mere juxtaposition of such texts the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is built up." George Reith, D.D. 66 THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. "If it be clear that Christ taught the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, it is equally clear that he believed that there is only one God.". - David James Burrell. "I have come to believe that the most fundamental and practical of all the doctrines of Christianity is the doctrine of the Holy Spirit." Amory H. Bradford. "The doctrine of the Holy Trinity makes a real knowledge of God, a real fellowship with God, possible. The Son in his human life gave a perfect revelation of the Father to men. The Spirit in the progress of the ages brings home that revelation to the society and to the believer. Our belief in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forms the golden stair from earth to heaven." Bishop Westcott. Even the Spirit of truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth because he brings truth home to the hearts of men, especially the truth regarding Jesus Christ, who is the Truth. Which proceedeth from the Father. "Because this affirmation is not, in so many words, made with regard to the Son, the Eastern or Greek Church maintains a separate communion, protesting against the creed of the Western Church. The emphatic claim Jesus makes, Whom I will send,' is an argument on the other side." Reith. He shall testify (R. V., " bear witness") of me. "The Holy Spirit never puts himself forward or makes men conscious of himself, but makes men conscious of Christ. He is like the sun, revealing by degrees the beauties of the landscape." Calthrop. 27. And ye also shall (R. V. omits “shall ”) bear witness. This may be a command, "Do ye also bear witness," or, as most scholars regard it, a statement of fact, "Ye also are bearing witness." The disciples had already begun the witness-bearing, the difficult continuance of which Christ had been picturing. It is as true of us as of the first disciples that Christ is to be revealed by us to the world around us, and we in turn are to learn of Christ from our brother Christians. "The poor man, and even the child, can testify of Christ as well as the richest and the oldest. The sick sufferer can glorify him by patience and hopefulness, the reproduction of Christ's meek temper. You who are in trade, witness to Christ by your strict integrity.". Odenheimer. "Not in mine own but in my neighbour's face Must I thine image trace; Not he in his but in the light of mine, Illustration. "When Commodore Foote was in Siam, he once had the king upon his vessel as a guest, and did not hesitate to ask a blessing at the table. Why, that is just as the missionaries do,' said the surprised king. Yes,' said the godly Foote, and I am a missionary too." " · C. W. Bibb. "The Because ye have been with me from the beginning. That is, from the beginning of Christ's Ministry, and so they could tell men about the whole course of it. more intimate our acquaintance with men the clearer our perception of their imperfections and shortcomings. But association with Jesus had revealed nothing but beauty and glory. There was nothing that they had seen that they could not report." Robert E. Speer. THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. "The great work of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness to Christ. He did not come to speak of himself; he came to speak of Jesus. A good deal of our confusion as to the character and work of the Holy Spirit would be avoided if we would remember this." Robert E. Speer. "All nations have legends of the gods fighting at the head of their armies, and through the dust of battle the white horses and the shining armor of the celestial champions have been seen. The childish dream is a historical reality. It is not we that fight, it is the Spirit of God that fighteth in us." - Alexander Maclaren. 66 II. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS COMFORTER, vs. 1-7. 1. These things. The warnings and encouragements given in the preceding chapter. Have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended (R. V., " made to stumble "). Being prepared for persecution, they would not be so likely to be staggered by it when it came." Century Bible. The stumbling would be falling away from Jesus, as Judas had already done. The Greek verb used here has been transferred into English in our word "scandalize." It comes from a Greek noun which means "the stick in a trap on which the bait is placed, and which springs up and shuts the trap at the touch of an animal. Hence generally a snare, a stumbling-block.' Professor Marvin R. Vincent. 66 2. They shall put you out of the synagogues. This involved not only excommunication from the house of God, for a time or perpetually, but also expulsion from society. A person put out of the synagogue was a virtual exile from his friends and acquaintances. Yea, the time (R. V., "hour") cometh. "The hour cometh that (Greek, iva). Literally, there cometh an hour in order that.' The hour is ordained with that end in view: it comes fraught with the fulfilment of a divine purpose." Prof. Marvin R. Vincent. That whosoever killeth you shall think that he doeth God service (R. V., " offereth service unto God"), a phrase implying the worship of God, as we speak of church" services." This prophecy was fulfilled numberless times, notably in the case of Saul the persecutor (Acts 26:9-11). "Christ never promised worldly pleasure or prosperity as the meed of his service. They may incidentally come in his service, but never as the reward of it." Rev. W. R. Richard son. Illustrations. "If one may believe in God and seek to please him and yet be a murderer, it is evidence that a faith in God is not enough. The Moslems are earnest theists and their religion has no prayers for women and provides for polygamy. A belief in God does not save them from such immorality. All depends on what kind of a God men believe in." Robert E. Speer. This hatred of the world for God's people " has characterized every age. Abel is slain by Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. Joseph is put into a pit by his brethren, and into a prison by his master's wife; the Hebrew is smitten by the Egyptian; David is hunted by Saul as a partridge on the mountains; Micaiah is hated by Ahab because he always testifies against him; Jeremiah lives a very suffering stricken life, until he is slain in Egypt for remonstrating against a policy he could not alter; each of the little company then listening to Christ is forecast for a martyr's death, with, perhaps, the exception of John himself, whose life was martyrdom enough; Stephen sheds the blood of his pure and noble nature; and from that day to this the blood of the saints has poured in streams, until the last harrowing records of the indescribable tortures and death of Armenian martyrs." - F. B. Meyer. "Why should I complain Of want or distress, He told me no less." 3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. Compare John 15: 21. This is a good word for average humanity, implying that men will become good and kind, as Saul did, as soon as they are really brought to understand God's love as shown in Jesus Christ. Compare Christ's prayer upon the cross, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do " (Luke 23:34). 4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. Remembering Christ's prophecy, they would know that he had foreseen their trials and provided for them all necessary strength and comfort. Phillips Brooks compared this with the fitting out in a tropical harbor of a ship destined for the arctics. The stores of food and clothing will be taken from the hold months afterward, when they are needed. And these things I said not unto you at (R. V., " from ") the beginning. He had indeed foretold their persecution (Matt. 10: 16-39; Luke 6: 22), but he had not told them of his departure, of the coming of the Spirit, and of the triumphs into which the Spirit would lead them. The solemn nearness of his death would make them readier to apprehend these great truths (Matt. 9:15). Because I was with you. "While he was with them they leaned 7. 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. 8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: upon him and could not apprehend a time of weakness and persecution. 9:15." Expositor's Greek Testament. See Matt. 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me, having completed the work he sent me to do. "The going of the Saviour was as blessed as his coming.” Speer. And none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? "This very question had been asked by Peter (John 13: 36; compare 14 : 5), but not in the right sense or the proper spirit. When he put the question Peter had no conception of the higher and more glorious state of being on which Jesus was about to enter. His mind was filled with the thought of separation and of the consequent state of desolation in which he and his fellow disciples would be left. Hence unmixed sorrow had filled their hearts." Century Bible. 6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart, 66 so that there is no room for thoughts of my glory and your future consolation." Cambridge Bible. 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. Christ emphasizes the important statement that is coming next. It is expedient for you that I go away. Of course it was better for Christ himself to return to his heavenly home, but his disciples should comfort themselves with the knowledge that the risen Christ through the Holy Spirit could do more for them than the man-Christ living with them could do. See John 14: 16, 17, and compare John 11: 50. Illustration. "The young wife whose husband is called from her may believe that it is better for him to be with Christ. He is doing more exalted service. He sees the Lord's face. His wife, who stays behind, has to meet life's tasks and responsibilities alone, and misses the joy of companionship. But she, too, has her gain. The finer possibilities of life are brought out in her. Burden-bearing develops her womanly strength." -J. R. Miller. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you. "The withdrawal of the bodily presence of Christ was the essential condition of his universal spiritual presence. Expositor's Greek Testament. "The text must be completed before the sermon can be preached." — F. B. Meyer. "What the disciples would soon spell in terms of defeat, despite the Master's assurance and explanation, he was teaching them to spell in letters of victory. If the Master withholds from me from day to day a single coveted blessing, it is only in order that he may give larger blessings." William H. Foulkes, D.D. But if I depart (R. V., “ go "), I will send him unto you. Verses 5, 7 have three different words for leaving; this one means to go for a purpose, the purpose being to send the Spirit. III. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS JUDGE, vs. 8-11. "By his revelation of Christ the Holy Spirit creates three convictions. Each of these is necessary to the regeneration of man. There must be the sense of sin, or he will not seek the Saviour. There must be a belief that righteousness is possible, or the converted sinner will die of despair. There must be the assurance that sin is doomed, and shall be finally vanquished, or the baffled warrior will give up the long conflict as hopeless." - F. B. Meyer. 8. And when he is come. "The advent of the Spirit to the heart of the Church on the Day of Pentecost was as distinct and marked an event as the advent of the Son of God himself to the manger-bed of Bethlehem. Let every reader of these words be sure of having taken the full advantage of his presence, just as we would wish to have availed ourselves to the uttermost of the physical presence of Christ, had our lot so befallen." - Meyer. He will reprove the world of sin (R. V., "convict the world in respect of sin "), and of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit, when he came, was to show the world new truth, convicting and shaming truth, concerning these three great matters. "He is a convicting as well as a comforting Spirit. Like the pillar of fire that turned its darkness toward the pursuing Egyptians, so the Holy Spirit turns a convicting face toward sin and unbelief." Foulkes. "He may well be termed a Comforter even in this work, because it is the only way to true comfort." Whitefield. 9. Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; II. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13. 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 shew you things to come. 66 9. Of sin, because they believe not on me. The Holy Spirit is to teach the world that the essence of sin is unbelief in Christ; see John 3: 18, 19, 36; 15: 22. He is to convict the world of this central sin, which branches out into all sinfulness. Illustration. Sir W. Robertson Nicoll tells of a pleasure-seeker who mocked at the efforts of a saintly man for his reformation. I see," said the saint gravely, "that I must deal with you in earnest." He made the young man place his head on his knee, whereupon the saint merely prayed for some moments in silence. The young sinner left without a word, but from that moment was a changed man. As he bent at the saint's knee he had beheld all the torments of hell. 66 10. Of righteousness, because I go to my (R. V., " the ") Father. The resurrection and ascension of Christ would prove our Lord's righteousness, and the world would henceforth have in him a new and perfect standard of character and conduct. "The law of Eden is to the law of the Sermon on the Mount as a jewsharp to an organ." Horace Bushnell. And ye see me no more. The disciples were grieved because they were to see their beloved Master no longer; he shows them that his departure from their sight means his vastly larger influence over the world. 66 11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is (R. V., " hath been ") judged. The prince of this world, the incarnation of worldliness, crucified the world's Saviour. That one fact was the final and everlasting condemnation of worldliness. To adhere to this worldliness rather than to Christ is to cling to a doomed cause, a sinking ship." Expositor's Greek Testament. "The Master is sure of one thing. His enemy is a convicted and condemned criminal. He may still plot mischief within the confines of his prison cell, but his doom is sealed." · Foulkes. "Our great adversary has a mortal wound. We may easily overcome him if we fight in the right way." -J. Wilbur Chapman. IV. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS GUIDE AND TEACHER, vs. 12-14. "God the Holy Spirit can teach any one, however illiterate, however uninstructed."— - Spurgeon. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you. "There is, then, much truth which it is desirable that Christians know and which yet was not uttered by Christ himself. His words are not the sole embodiment of truth, though they may be its sole criterion."-Expositor's Greek Testament. "Christians should have no fear of the doctrine of development. The Spirit was to develop, that is, to unfold, the person and the doctrine of the Saviour for them. But only that can be unfolded which is infolded. What is not within cannot be taken out. Let us thank God that in the church and in all life and in the history of the world the unfolding is done by the same divine hand that did the infolding." Robert E. Speer. But ye cannot bear them now. The Greek verb means to take up, carry, and is used of the Jews taking up stones to throw at Jesus and of Judas bearing the money bag (John 10: 31; 12:6). "The metaphor is that of some weight - it may be gold, but still it is a weight laid upon a man whose muscles are not strong enough to sustain it. It crushes rather than gladdens.' Maclaren. No one can understand trigonometry till he has studied algebra and geometry. For the reception of the higher truths we must be prepared by the reception of the lower truths. The disciples learned much in the days of the crucifixion, the resurrection, and Pentecost, and became able to receive still more from the Holy Spirit. 13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come. "A most exquisite title." Bengel. Literally, "the Spirit of the truth," of the Christian truth, teacher of knowledge of Christ who is the Truth. He will (R. V., " shall ") guide you into all truth (R. V., "all the truth "). It is not to be a sudden revelation of truth, but a gradual disclosure, as a guide leads one step by step into a new country. It is not to be a partial, grudging introduction to truth, with much of it jealously shut away from us, but "all truth" is gloriously open before God's children. For he shall not speak of (R. V., "from") himself. What Christ humbly said of his own teaching (John |