The Pattern Of Conversion (Full) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. He the Spirit of Truth Has Come

2. He Will Guide You into All Truth

3. He Will Shew You Things to Come

Introductory Remarks.

1. Today's lesson will discuss “The Pattern of Conversion.” This will be the most critical “textual sermon” I have ever preached. This lesson will unfold to the hearer: “The Pattern of Conversion,” or what we often call “the invitation.” Jesus began to unfold unto His apostles the work of the Holy Spirit in sharing with the world: “the pattern of conversion.” This might be new terminology to some in our assembly today. He shall reveal this through multiple mediums, messages, and methods: how sincere believers can be saved through faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ. Jesus said to them: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew (you) things to come,” John 16:13. This will be a discussion of the “mystery of Christ,” 1 Timothy 3:16.

2. First, we will consider when: “He the Spirit of truth has come;” how the apostles were instructed in the “pattern of conversion” to be preached to the entire world. It is important to note that the means, message, and conversion methods were not entirely taught to these men. They were given pieces of this truth throughout the ministry of Jesus. They, however, did not have a complete understanding of the message. This would occur when the Holy Spirit has entered the earth to begin His ministry of revelation, under the “dispensation of the grace of God,” Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:1-7; Acts 20:24.

3. Second, we will discuss how: “He will guide them into all truth;” when he made His initial advent into the world to begin His set-up of the kingdom of God. The Spirit would teach the apostles the “pattern of conversion” as he guided them “into all truth.” If our Lord promises that the Spirit will guide them into "all truth," that means all truth has not yet been revealed. This would be the divine work of the Holy Spirit: to "dwell in them, teach them, remind them, testify of Him,” and finally, “guide them into all truth,” John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26; and John 16:13. That all sincere believers; might become Christians.

4. Lastly, we will investigate how: “He would shew them things to come;” through His revelation of the truth unto them beginning on the Day of Pentecost. It would be at this time that the Holy Spirit would “show them things to come,” John 16:13. Jesus’ said unto these 11 apostles, before His ascension: “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry (wait) ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:49. This power would come with the Holy Spirit’s descending upon them. Jesus said further: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 2:14-18; Acts 2:33-41. With this brief introduction, let’s consider our first point in this lesson when: “He the Spirit of truth has come.”

BODY OF LESSON

I HE THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH HAS COME

A. Spirit of truth. We have written much regarding the descending of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles to guide them into all truth. However, what is lacking in much of my preaching and the teaching of my brethren is that the words Jesus speaks about here, once given unto these apostles, would begin a new administration of God. That administration is called: “The dispensation of the grace of God.” The Old Dispensation will have passed away. Observe—

1. The word “dispensation,” in Gr., is oikonomia, which means an administration (of a household or estate), especially a (religious) "economy”: —i.e., a dispensation, or stewardship. It refers to the office of a manager or overseer of their stewardship. Christ illustrates this office in Luke 16:1-4 and Luke 12:42. The apostles would be His stewards of the gospel message in this new age: the dispensation of the grace of God.

2. Paul wrote of it:

a. First, to Ephesus: “For this, cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ). Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power,” Ephesians 3:1-7; Ephesians 1:10; Acts 20:24.