In this lesson, we continue our in-depth study of the Holy Spirit, focusing specifically on the writings of the Apostle John. We examine the Gospel of John and the epistles of 1 John to understand the Spirit's role in salvation, his work as a witness, and the nature of the "helper" promised by Jesus.
Key Themes We Explore:
- Born of the Spirit: What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit? We look at the internal change that results in a visible transformation of life (John 3:5-8).
- The Spirit as a Witness: How the Holy Spirit provides the evidence for our faith through miraculous signs and testimony, from the baptism of Jesus to the signs written so that we might believe (John 1, John 20).
- The Power Behind the Signs: We trace the "signs" throughout the Gospel of John—turning water into wine, healing the blind, and raising Lazarus—and see how the Spirit uses these to manifest Jesus' glory (John 2, 4, 6, 9, 11).
- The Spirit of Truth: Understanding the Holy Spirit as the "Helper" (Paraclete) who teaches the Apostles, brings Jesus' words to their remembrance, and guides them into all truth (John 14, 16).
- The Word and the Spirit: Exploring the connection between the words Jesus spoke and the life-giving nature of the Spirit (John 6:63).
- Evidence for the Believer: How we can know we abide in God through the Spirit and the testimony of the "water and the blood" (1 John 4, 5).
By looking at John's specific perspective, we see a consistent picture of the Spirit as the one who delivers the truth and provides the evidence necessary for us to have eternal life.