This Sunday is Pentecost. The name Pentecost from the Greek word for fifty or the fiftieth day was applied to the Jewish Festival of Weeks. At this festival, the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ's disciples in a powerful new way (Acts 2). We can say many things about the Holy Spirit, but our selection from John 14 makes an important point. In John 14:16-17, Jesus encourages the disciples saying, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (KJV)
As Jesus looks toward His return to the heavenly Father, He promises His disciples that they will continue to be aided and guided by God. God the heavenly Father will send the Paraclete, Comforter, or Helper to the disciples in Christ's name. As long as they remain in this world, Christians still need guidance into the truth. They continue to need reminders of Christ's teachings and how to apply them. Although the Holy Spirit has worked and continues to work in many ways, the central work of the Holy Spirit among Christians is to help them apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, there have been many misunderstandings and distortions of this work of the Holy Spirit among believers. People have gone to extremes, and many have neglected Scripture and Christ's Sacraments in favor of some nebulous "spirituality." However, true spirituality inspired by the Holy Spirit cannot be separated from the written and living Word of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit never contradicts the revelation of God the Father through Jesus Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit is intended to comfort and strengthen us in the truth revealed in Christ and written in Holy Scripture!
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