THE TEACHING MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
John 16:12-15.
Jesus had many things still to teach His disciples, but before His resurrection they were not ready to receive them (John 16:12). We grow up by stages, moving from milk to prepared foods, to fulsome meat. The Holy Spirit came to impart enabling power for the application of the Word of God, to bring glory to Jesus, and to show things yet to come (John 16:13-14).
In the first instance, the Spirit of truth enabled the Apostles for the preaching of the Word of God, empowering them to make their stand before the world. Secondly, He inspired the writing of the New Testament. Thirdly He blesses all His people with understanding of the Word, and with insights into the spiritual truth that they need for their salvation (John 16:13).
The Holy Spirit takes the gifts of God, which Jesus purchased by His death and resurrection (Psalm 68:18), and applies them to our lives. He takes the message of Jesus, and writes it in our hearts (John 16:15). Within the limitations of the incarnation, Jesus could only be in one place at one time: but the Holy Spirit’s ministry on His behalf is worldwide.
