4.3 Jesus and the Holy Spirit

Jesus consistently proved who He was to His disciples for the next three years. He prepared them to be commissioned with the same authority and power He received from the Father.

Jesus' confrontation with the Pharisees in John 8:39-47 indicated that the devil misled the religious leaders.

9 John 8:39-47

39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn't do this.

41 You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."

42 Therefore Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven't come of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why don't you understand my speech? Because you can't hear my word.

44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

45 But because I tell the truth, you don't believe me.

46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don't hear, because you are not of God."

If the Jews had an exclusive covenant with God because of ethnicity, Jesus would have told them that the Mosaic Covenant was permanent and that they had nothing to worry about.

Hebrews 5:7-9 provides further insight into Jesus' humanity and how he learned obedience.

3 Hebrews 5:7-9

7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,

8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered.

9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation.

Following God also means that we must learn obedience; however, sometimes our flesh gets in the way of submitting to His will. As a result, we can easily miss the very ministry that we seek because we are not fully surrendered, but Luke 9:23-24 reminds us that we must take up our cross daily:

2 Luke 9:23-24

23 He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, will save it.

Knowing how to discern between God's thoughts and ours is a process. Every Christian is on a journey that teaches them to be more confident in discerning God's voice. In addition, "in the multitude of counselors, there is safety." The Bible guides us from justifying disobedience, and the Holy Spirit can approve or disapprove of our choices.

A person's most wonderful relationship is with God. We have read that in the New Covenant, God will write his laws on the hearts of all believers. Hebrews 8:10-11 quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34:

2 Hebrews 8:10-11

here

10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days," says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

11 They will not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all will know me, from their least to their greatest.

Understanding the relationship between the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and believers is important. Let us examine the scripture basis for the following statements:

In John 10:24-30, Jesus had a confrontation with the Jews from which we learn a lot about Jesus' relationship with the Father:

7 John 10:24-30

24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.

26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

29 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and the Father are one."

Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. He stated that He is one with the Father because there is no difference between anyone being able to snatch them out of His or the Father's hand. The Jews understood exactly what Jesus meant and accused Jesus of blasphemy in John 10:33:

1 John 10:33

33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."

In verse 36, Jesus admitted to being the Son of God in response to the Jews:

1 John 10:36

36 Do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?'

In verse 38, Jesus explained the relationship with the Father for the first time with the understanding that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father.

1 John 10:38

38 But if I do them, though you don't believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

These verses from John 10 indicate that "Jesus and the Father are one" and that "The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father." In addition, they address how His sheep hear and recognize the Savior's voice and that of the Father. The Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us of everything that Jesus taught.

In chapters 12-13 of John, Jesus delicately explained that He was going to die. In John 14:1-4, He offered words of comfort to his distraught disciples.

4 John 14:1-4

1 Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many homes. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.

3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.

4 You know where I go, and you know the way.

Jesus's words captured their attention as in many previous encounters. Thomas responded in John 14:5-7:

3 John 14:5-7

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?"

6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him."

Jesus taught them that He is God and that there is no way to the Father except through Him. As in the case of the stormy seas, Jesus took their eyes off the storm and redirected them to Himself. Philip picked up on the conversation in John 14:8-11:

4 John 14:8-11

8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."

9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?'

10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Once again, Jesus attested to being fully God:

1 John 14:9

9 He who has seen me has seen the Father.

He also repeated what he previously said to the Jews:

1 John 14:11

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Repeating these words to his dearest disciples had a powerful purpose. He knew they would flee when he was arrested, so he gave them hope.

While Jesus was describing his relationship with the Father, He told His disciples something quite amazing in John 14:12-17. He told them about the kind of authority they were going to have.

6 John 14:12-17

12 Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.

13 Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.

15 If you love me, keep my commandments.

16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever:

17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him and doesn't know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.

Sometimes, we do not understand the correlation between verses 14 and 15. Asking things in his name corresponds to acting in the authority granted to us only when we keep his commandments.

Jesus went to the Father for the disciples to take up where he left off. How is it that the disciples could do greater works than Jesus? It seems inconceivable, but here are some possibilities:

  1. There will be more of them to do the ministry's work. They can cover a larger area and reach a wider audience.
  2. Is it possible that Jesus is saying that the disciples will have a double portion of His spirit, like what Elijah promised Elisha if he witnessed Elijah being taken to heaven? Although we can make this analogy, no one can have more power than Jesus.
  3. Jesus restored dominion to his disciples by taking away their sins. Jesus was taken up to heaven as the Lamb, making intercession for the sins of the saints so that they can continue His ministry on earth. Through Jesus, access was restored to the Tree of Life. His ultimate plan was and is the New and Everlasting Covenant that cannot be broken because He lives forevermore.

In John 14:18-20, Jesus prepared his disciples for His death and assured them that it would not be the end of it all

3 John 14:18-20

18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

When Jesus said that He would come to them, He was not just referring to His resurrection from the dead. Jesus spoke of the day when his disciples would be in Him and He in them, just as He is in the Father. This scripture corroborates our third bullet point: "Those who have received the Holy Spirit will be in the Son and the Son in them, just like Jesus' relationship with the Father."

The fourth point is that those who have received the Holy Spirit will be in the Father and the Father in them.

John 14:21-26 talks about our relationship with the Father and the Son through the Holy Spirit. Verse 23 specifically talks about The Father and Son making their home with us:

6 John 14:21-26

21 One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?"

23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

24 He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.

25 I have said these things to you while still living with you.

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

Jesus repeated this in John 17:20-23:

4 John 17:20-23

20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,

21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.

22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;

23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.

This is very rich, not just because it talks about the relationship between us, Jesus, and the Father, but because it also describes it as a mutual loving relationship. It asserts that obeying God's commandments is to love God. Love is not just a noun; it is also a verb.

Jesus also said that He will manifest Himself to us because of His love. We could take that symbolically, but those who experience the Holy Spirit hear Jesus speaking to them. For example, Jesus manifested Himself to John in Revelation 1:12-18:

7 Revelation 1:12-18

12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands.

13 And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.

14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.

15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.

16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last,

18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

We should not be surprised to receive similar glimpses of Jesus with our spiritual eyes. He is alive, forever alive, and he still looks the same!

Getting back to more proof about the fourth point above in John 17:20:

4 John 17:20-23

20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Isaiah 9:6 speaks to us of God's governance by the Holy Spirit.

1 Isaiah 9:6

6 For a child is born to us. A son is given to us; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Here, we are reminded that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Jesus bodily. One name describes these three because each walk in God's full authority and power, passed on from the Father through the Son to us by the Holy Spirit.

We should not be surprised when John 14:26 subsequently made the same connection between Wonderful Counselor and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament:

1 John 14:26

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.

Colossians 2:9 explains the fullness of "deity" (which is comprised of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). It is a Holy Trinity of dominion and relationship in which the one and same God is revealed.

1 Colossians 2:9

9 For in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily.

This is what Jesus meant about us being in him and he in us. Jesus carried the fullness of the authority and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and He commissioned the church accordingly.

John 14:27 accentuated receiving the Holy Spirit as te way roto receive the peace of God:

1 John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

In such a way, we also receive the supernatural peace of God - which is direct evidence of His Covenant of Peace. Philippians 4:4-9 explains how to thrive in this new covenant.

6 Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, "Rejoice!"

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.

9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Jesus empathized with the alienation the twelve would face after his death, so he needed to encourage them because of what was going to happen. The grief and uncertainty must have been unbearable, but they had already lived with Jesus through unimaginable miracles. Jesus had secured their hearts with faith, but they still were not beyond questioning him. Had he gone too far?

Let us recall the appearance of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove when John baptized Jesus in John 1:29-34:

6 John 1:29-34

29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.'

31 I didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel."

32 John testified, saying, "I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.

33 I didn't recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.'

34 I have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God."

This was a sign from God to John to announce and validate the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. It was also a sign that Jesus was given authority by His Father to begin his ministry on earth.

In John 5:19, Jesus submitted His will to His Father as His Son:

1 John 5:19

19 Jesus therefore answered them, "Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise.

Isaiah 7:14-15 described how Jesus learned from his youth (which is what 'curds and honey' denotes). He was sensitive to the words of his Father to choose between good and evil:

2 Isaiah 7:14-15

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

15 He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good.

For three years, Jesus taught his disciples. At the end of this learning period, He commissioned them in Matthew 28:18-20:

3 Matthew 28:18-20

18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Jesus received all authority and power from the Father. The "name" of the Father represents authority and power granted to the Son and subsequently to the disciples to rule over the earth as ministers of the gospel. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord!

So where is Jesus? He is literally with us via the agency of the Holy Spirit - the whole package! Jesus in us, us in Him, He in us, us in the Father, and the Father in us through the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit fills and empowers us in Christ. In the name, we are granted authority to baptize believers and to proclaim the gospel.

The Great Commission refers to Mark 16:15-20:

4 Mark 16:15-18

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

The Great Commission states that Jesus' disciples are delegated to rule on earth by using the power and authority to perform signs and miracles.

2 Mark 16:19-20

19 So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

20 They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

The Lord Jesus empowered them with the Holy Spirit. God was was near them, working with and through them. We are reminded of our heritage in Christ Jesus in Isaiah 54:17.

1 Isaiah 54:17

17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh's servants, and their righteousness is of me," says Yahweh.

Luke 24:49 describes how the disciples would receive power on Pentecost:

1 Luke 24:49

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

In John 16:7-15, Jesus again talked about some additional characteristics of the Holy Spirit, but Jesus also revealed how He was not coming back. He was sending the Holy Spirit.

1 John 16:7

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

This is some serious theology here. Jesus had to go away bodily for the Holy Spirit to be sent. Jesus as a man and sacrificial offering completed his work as on the earth. He who proceeded forth from the Father in the form of a physical body returned to the Father as a glorified body. He has passed through and into the cloud - the portal between heaven and earth.

With the arrival of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost after the Passover of Jesus the Lamb, there is no longer a need for Jesus to return bodily, but Jesus and the Father abide within those who receive the Holy Spirit. We have the fullness of Jesus included in the indivisible nature of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Furthermore, because we are enjoined into this triune nature of God, we are seated with Him in high places in the heavenly realm.

4 John 16:8-11

8 When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;

9 about sin, because they don't believe in me;

10 about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won't see me any more;

11 about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction and declares the words of Jesus. Again, there is no need for Jesus to return bodily to Spirit-filled believers. They are in constant communion with Jesus and the Father.

3 John 16:12-14

12 "I still have many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now.

13 However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

14 He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Jesus came in grace and truth, and He passed onto believers the Spirit of Truth as a fully cognitive and living expression of God. Are you equipped with the Holy Spirit to carry on His ministry or are you equipped with your own understanding?

1 John 16:15

15 All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.

Do not miss out on this - the Holy Spirit declares over us all that the Father had given to Jesus. We acquire the very divine nature of God that was in Jesus Christ. We have been welcomed into the fellowship of Father and Son. We have learned, like Jesus, to hear and obey the voice of the Father. We know the voice of the Shepherd.

Let us also realize that on Pemtecost, the Holy Spirit

Through the Holy Spirit, the church communes with the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit abides in and is uniquely bound to each believer, and the Holy Spirit enjoins the church as a bride to Jesus. She is a faithful bride who is inseparable from her faithful Husband. As such, believers enjoy an intimate relationship with the Father and Son.

Jesus willingly died to receive His bride as described in Isaiah 53:10-11. She must be very beautiful!

2 Isaiah 53:10-11

10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring. He will prolong his days and Yahweh's pleasure will prosper in his hand.

11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.

It is also described in Hebrews 12:2:

1 Hebrews 12:2

2 Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Surrendering sinful ways to God reflects our love for Him. We must learn to distinguish God's voice from deceitful temptations; otherwise, our obedience to Jesus can be skewed. We cannot be entirely functional in Christ unless we love and obey him.

His love is fierce. He is compassionate, patient, merciful, and gentle and can be tenacious. He does not give up on us even when we give up on ourselves. When necessary, He is stern in discipline and sanctification. Revelation 3:19-20 includes loving rebuke and the reward of intimate fellowship for obedience.

2 Revelation 3:19-20

19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.