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John

John 
Day 
Day 236

John 16 : 1 - 15 "FURTHER INSTRUCTION CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT"

Day 236 – John 16

FURTHER INSTRUCTION CONCERNING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus brought up the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit to the Disciples in the context of His going home to His Father once before (John 14:16-18, 26). Once again, He spoke about the Holy Spirit.

“And when He has come, He will convict the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
of sin, because they do not believe in Me;
of righteousness, because I go to My Father
and you see Me no more;
of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
John 16:8-11

THREE VITAL MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus spoke about three vital ministries that the Holy Spirit would especially perform. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit’s ministries were closely related to Jesus and His life’s work on earth.

1. Convicting the world of sin

The word “convict” must be understood carefully. The Spirit of God will point out the fact that the world is indeed sinful! The misdeeds of the Jews, the shallowness and general unbelief of the multitudes with reference to belief in Jesus would be reprimanded by the Holy Spirit! However, His main concern is to lead people to repentance after having convicted them of their sinfulness.

2. Convicting the world of righteousness

The world had not been convinced that Jesus was the Messiah! They had not appreciated who Jesus really was! They had Jesus for a season, but they did not know how to love and appreciate Him. Soon He would be gone, for He was returning to His Father. The Holy Spirit would convict hearts concerning the Person of Jesus. The repentant sinner would in gratitude appreciate Jesus and His atoning work, for the righteousness of Jesus would be imputed to him at the point of his salvation.

3. Convicting the world of judgment

There was another area of ministry that the Holy Spirit would be involved in deeply. He would stand against the ruler of this world. This was of course reference to none other than Satan! He would be “judged” not in the final sense of the word. Each time the Spirit of God brings about conviction of sin in the heart, and leads a person to faith in Jesus, the ruler of this world is judged! His work in the human heart causing the individual to sin would be judged. The repentant sinner would realize just how he had been deceived by the devil and he would turn away from Satan!

A CLEAR EXAMPLE

One of the clearest examples of how the Holy Spirit works is found in the Book of Acts. Peter and the rest of the Disciples who formed the Church in Jerusalem had just been filled with the Holy Spirit! They were given the ability to speak in foreign languages! Peter was privileged to preach the first message to the wondering multitude. Let us look at some of the things Peter spoke to the pilgrims who had gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.

Highlights of the Message preached by Peter

“Men of Israel, hear these words:
Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you
by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him
in your midst, as you yourselves also know –
Him, being delivered by the determined purpose
and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands,
have crucified and put to death;
whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death…

This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,
and having received from the Father
the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which
you now see and hear…

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly
that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified,
both Lord and Christ.”
Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36

Peter proclaimed that Jesus had been wrongfully and sinfully crucified! However, to vindicate Jesus as truly righteous, God had raised Him up from the dead! Peter and the Disciples were prepared to bear witness of this truth proclaimed! Jesus was both Lord and Christ, Peter concluded!

The Work of the Holy Spirit in convicting hearts

Luke recorded how the Spirit of God did His work quietly but powerfully.

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles,
‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?'”
Acts 2:37

The Spirit convicted the people of their sins! He had convicted them concerning the righteous life of Jesus. The evil one could not control the people anymore. He had been judged! Over three thousand were baptized that very same day (Acts 2:40-41).