John Paper

This is a paper I had to write for school when we went through the book of John. We just had to write a short essay on a chapter out of the book that we wanted to learn more about. I picked ch. 16 because it talked about the Holy Spirit. I was blown away when I was reading through this chapter and the commentary on it! I did not realize what a privilege it is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us! Anyway here is a brief summary of what I learned, I thought I would share it with you guys ( especially my mom & dad ) lol. :)

    In the book of John, chapter sixteen discusses a few different topics. The first half discusses the coming rejection that the disciples are going to face because they are followers of Jesus Christ. It also tells of Jesus’ promise that a Helper will be sent to them, the Holy Spirit, and the advantages that would come with it. Several verses talk about the Holy Spirit’s job and how it works differently in relation to the world, the believers, and Christ.
   The second half of the book discusses the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as His ascension into Heaven. It talks about the emotions that these events would produce within the disciples vs. the emotions they would produce within the world. It ends with Jesus telling His disciples plainly what is to come and offering them peace with the assurance that He has overcome the world.
   Tenney titles his summary for this chapter the “Conference of Revelation.” He talks about Jesus revealing to the disciples the hatred they should expect from the world, the advantages they would receive from His going away and the Holy Spirit coming, and the purpose and power behind His resurrection. I like how Tenney talks about how Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection did not end with just Him making a way for people to receive eternal life, but with  Him gone the Holy Spirit could come and enlarge His ministry of telling everybody about His gift of salvation!
   Tenney points out three aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit, he will convict, guide and glorify.  He convicts the world of it’s sin, he guides us as believers into truth, and he glorifies Christ. Tenney points out that the Holy Spirit does not speak of things from Himself, but He only speaks of what is given to Him. The fact that the Holy Spirit  declares things to come, states that He knows the future, which is only true of God alone. This fact gives us the evidence of the deity of the Holy Spirit!
   This chapter has given me a better understanding of the Holy Spirit and the part it plays in my life. It helped me realize what Jesus meant when He said it was better for Him to go than to stay. I never thought about His limitations as a human being and how by sending the Holy Spirit to believers was necessary for the progress of the work He began on the cross. Realizing the reason behind why we have the Holy Spirit and knowing how He works in my life encourages me so much.
   One of my favorite verses in this chapter is verse thirteen, which says “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” Tenney writes, “ ’Guide’ implies leadership for a person who is interested in traveling on the right path, but who needs help in finding it.”  I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit!
Thanks for read:)ing!