The following notes mostly follow a line of thought presented in F.F. Bruce's commentary on the Gospel of John, where he emphasized John's teaching on the Holy Spirit as it developed throughout the Gospel, and especially in the Upper Room Discourses. Since the origin of this understanding is provided by Jesus and manifested through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the Acts of the Apostles, we are not surprised to see the theme carried consistently through the Acts and Pauline letters.
Below you will see a summary of the activity and statements about the Holy Spirit in John's Gospel, (following Bruce's outline), and the powerful emergence of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These short statements provide a bird's eye view of the Holy Spirit from Jesus' baptism through Pentecost and in consideration of the Fruit of the Spirit in Paul's letter to the Galatians.
BACKGROUND
Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit [John
1.32f; Cp. also Acts 2:38]
Only those born of water and the
Spirit may enter the kingdom of God [John 3.5-8]
True worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth, for
the Father is seeking such people to worship him
[John 4.23f]
It is the Spirit who gives life.
Jesus' words are spirit and life. [John 6.63]. There is unity and
cooperation between the Son and the Spirit.
Spirit will come after Jesus is
glorified [John 7.39]. The Spirit seems to delight in seeing
Jesus glorified. Conversion glorifies Jesus. Note: Re-birth makes a
new creature in a new kingdom. We are meant to worship in spirit and
truth. Spirit gives life in the Word. Spirit came in power after
Jesus was glorified [Cp Acts 1:8; 2:4]
UPPER ROOM
The disciples will do greater works
[John14.12] Cp Day of Pentecost – there were more conversions on
Pentecost than when Jesus was humanly present. The greatest work
is being instrumental in others coming to Christ.
Disciples
know the Spirit because
he dwells with them
and in them. [John
14.17]
I
will come to you. (1)
Presently through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, (2) Eternally,
through the Resurrection [John 14:18]
You
[will]
see me. The
present tense “implies continuity stretching indefinitely into the
future.” [Bruce, p. 303]
After the ascension the
world no longer sees Jesus, but his
followers will see him.
Because he lives; we live. [John 14.19]
Love
for Jesus includes
keeping his word and receiving the Trinity who makes His home in us.
[John 14.23]
Jesus breathed on them.
Disciples indwelled by the Holy Spirit will have authority
to forgive and withhold forgiveness [John 20:22, 23]
Ascension. When the Holy Spirit comes
upon you, you will be my witnesses. [Acts 1.8]
Peter to brothers: the Holy Spirit
inspired old testament prophecy by the mouth of David. [Acts
1.16]
PENTECOST
Spirit filled them and gave them
utterance in multiple languages [Acts 2.4]
Spirit drove people to repentance
and conversion [Acts 2:38-41] The Church grew.
UPPER ROOM DISCOURCES
“But the fullest teaching about the
Spirit . . . is given in five passages in these upper-room
discourses: (I) John 14:15-17; (ii) 14:25 f. ; (iii) 15:26 f. ;
(iv) 16:4b-11 ; (v) 16:12-15. In these the Spirit is presented
successively as helper, interpreter, witness, prosecutor and
revealer.” - F.F. Bruce [The Gospel of John]
John 14:15-17 HELPER - Another
helper (Jesus is the first). Forever. Who dwells with
you.
John 14:25 f. INTERPRETER – He
will teach and remind you.
John 15:26 f. WITNESS – He
will bear witness about Jesus.
John 16:4b-11 PROSECUTOR – He
will expose and convict the world of sin and
righteousness.
John 16:12-15 REVEALER - Guide
you into all truth [13]. Declare (a) things to come, (b) what
is mine from the Father [13-15] . Glorify Jesus through the
declarations given to the disciples [14].
CONCLUSION
Jesus' followers are
recipients of these promises.
Spirit-filled
followers, and a Spirit-led Church will exhibit these traits
(fruit) of the Spirit. (See I-V above.)
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23 New
International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law.
Do not grieve the Holy
Spirit. [Ephesians 4.30]
Quotes and
references are from FF Bruce – The
Gospel of John on chapter 14 [pg
302-303]