The Work of the Comforter

Four times in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit, the Person, is called The Comforter.

John 14:16,17. And I will pray the Father, And He shall give you another Comforter...the Spirit of truth.

John 14:26. But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things.

John 15:26. But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father, (the Spirit of truth), Who proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.

John 16:7-11. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for it I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, 1 will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness; and of judgment: Of sin because they believe not on Me; Of .righteousness, because 1 go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the Prince of this world is judged.

These references leave no doubt as to the identity of The Comforter. The Lord speaks of 3 distinct Persons, Himself, the Father, and The Comforter. These 3 Persons are God, but no 2 of them can be equated with each other. Now figure this out. See note on Deuteronomy 6:4 in Companion Bible.

Many years ago a great theologian tried to prove that reprove in John 16:8 really meant enlighten. However there was no proof that such could be the meaning. It is reprove or convict.

There was a special way in which this was fulfilled at Pentecost. But it is still a general truth, the present work of the Holy Spirit, The Comforter.

1. He was to convict the world of the sin of unbelief. This is the root of all sin. But here it is especially the sin of not believing on The Lord Jesus Christ. He came with signs and mighty wonders, and they believed not. The Spirit thru Peter reproved Israel at Pentecost. They were pricked in their heart.

2. He was to convict or convince the world of the Lord's righteousness. And this was by the good news of His resurrection and ascension. This was proof of His righteousness. His offering Himself on Calvary was accepted by His resurrection from the dead.

3. And the further and final step was that He would reprove the world of their judgment of the Son of God, the Prince of this world. They had judged Him and cast Him out. They killed the Prince of peace, the Prince of life. And when reproved, they said, Men and brethren, what shall we do? They realized then and there that they had crucified the One Whom God had now made both Lord and Christ.

The convicting message of The Comforter' yet today is to believe (John 3:16); that the Lord was raised from the dead; and that He is seated with the Father in His throne.

About the Author

Paul Griffitts a Bibical Researcher for over 30 years
Currently Paul is the Editor of The Good News Letter for Believer.com
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