Understanding of John 16:13

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_Homer
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Post by _Homer » Wed May 17, 2006 10:28 am

Rae and Christopher,

Rae, you have captured my thoughts almost exactly!

You said:
Do you think this could possibly be a case where the conclusion that we have come to is true, but the proof text used maybe should not be what causes someone to come to that conclusion, or maybe is not the best defense (or even a defense at all) for that conclusion?
I have seen this very thing commonly done! The "parable of the Sheep and the Goats" is a prime example. It is used often to urge Christians to help the poor, which is an unquestionable duty, but I am convinced it is actually about accepting the gospel and those who bring the gospel message.

You also said:
In my mind though, this verse not applying to all believers doesn't mean that the Spirit doesn't guide or lead all believers. Just not in the same way that He did with the apostles, since they were the authors of Scripture.
Exactly! Not only does the Spirit work on us, but on those outside Christ also. John 16:8: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin.... &c". I believe the Spirit brought truth to the Apostles in one way (infallible), leads believers in another way (kicking and screaming and resisting sometimes - check the eschatology discussions :lol:) , and unbelievers whom He sometimes gives up on (Romans 1:24ff).

Christopher, you said:
I'd like to re-iterate that I think that all believers are capable of discovering the truth the God intends for us to know. A large percentage of theology is mostly peripheral in my opinion.
Exactly again! I can't believe the vehemence in the eschatology discussions. How will they live any differently if they discover they are wrong regarding the details about the end times? Whe Jesus returns, if you are in Christ, :D , if not :( .

You also said:
'd also like to ask a famous question, "What is truth"?


The way I see it Jesus Christ is truth. To the degree that we are wrong about the revelation in scripture, we miss Christ, thus it pays to have an open mind!
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Post by _chriscarani » Thu May 18, 2006 12:29 pm

I have some further thoughts, but will have to come back later to share them.
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Post by _chriscarani » Fri May 19, 2006 12:53 am

Ok, I am a little confused now, so I want to get this straight. Your position is that the verse in John 16:13 is directly spoken to the Apostles and does not apply to anyone else besides them? You do believe however, that the Holy Spirit does guide us?

You wrote:
“While the Catholics take it in a corporate sense, applying it perpetually to their church, you take it individually, and I take it as limited to those to whom it was spoken, which in my opinion, is safer ground.”

I guess my question would be, if the Holy Spirit does guide us, then where does it guide us, if not into or toward all truth? I think the Bible plainly says that the Holy Spirit was given to all believers who are in Christ, but what would be the point if it didn’t lead us into truth? What is the role of the HS then?

I think the text is clear, there are specific references to the Apostles in this verse and it is directly spoken to the Apostles as you have pointed out. But, I think with scripture it can be taken to be meant for all believers.


Here are some verses that speak of the gift of the HS given to believers. In particular the last two scriptures imply it was given just as they had received it.

Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Acts 2:36-39
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 15:6
Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.

Acts 11:15-18
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”


>>>>Here Jesus gives all believers the HS.


Luke 11:9-13
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[d] from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.[

>>>> Here are some interesting chapters that speak of the difference in what the Apostles taught and what we have authority to do with the HS.

1 Corinthians 3:10-17
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Acts 20:28-31
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God[c] which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

>>>>This verse implies those without the HS are led astray, into deception.

Jude 1:16-25
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[d] 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[e] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.


Thanks for any responses.
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_Christopher
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Post by _Christopher » Fri May 19, 2006 8:29 am

Hi Chris,

I think everyone here agrees with you.

I believe the objection that Homer and Rae have raised is applying this verse to the inspiration of believers today.

In other words, to say that "such and such is true because the Holy Spirit led me in this truth" when a fellow Christian believes something opposite is crossing the line and misusing the verse. I may have misrepresented Homer's case, but that's how I understand what he's saying anyways. I'll let him correct that if he wishes.

As I stated before, I still apply this verse indirectly to all believers (which may or may not be valid) because it agrees with some of the scripture you listed and more. But I also agree with Homer and Rae that it can't be used for inspiration as it was for the apostles. Otherwise, we'd have a much bigger bible today I think. :)
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Post by _brody_in_ga » Fri May 19, 2006 10:10 am

Christopher wrote:Hi Chris,

I think everyone here agrees with you.

I believe the objection that Homer and Rae have raised is applying this verse to the inspiration of believers today.

In other words, to say that "such and such is true because the Holy Spirit led me in this truth" when a fellow Christian believes something opposite is crossing the line and misusing the verse. I may have misrepresented Homer's case, but that's how I understand what he's saying anyways. I'll let him correct that if he wishes.

As I stated before, I still apply this verse indirectly to all believers (which may or may not be valid) because it agrees with some of the scripture you listed and more. But I also agree with Homer and Rae that it can't be used for inspiration as it was for the apostles. Otherwise, we'd have a much bigger bible today I think. :)
Hi Bro,

A question crossed my mind while reading your post. I understand the concern of Homer and others who feel the same way. But in reality, what "could" we add to scripture that isn't already implied? Peter tells us that "2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"
There to me lies the crux of the matter. I don't accept that we can add to the scriptures because "what" could we add? And if someone came to me and said "God told me adultery is fine" I would reject his inspiration because the bible says otherwise. Am I making any sence here? :oops:
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_Christopher
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Post by _Christopher » Fri May 19, 2006 1:35 pm

Hi Brody,
But in reality, what "could" we add to scripture that isn't already implied?
I don't know. You might have to ask a Roman Catholic. :wink:
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Post by _brody_in_ga » Fri May 19, 2006 5:02 pm

Christopher wrote:Hi Brody,
But in reality, what "could" we add to scripture that isn't already implied?
I don't know. You might have to ask a Roman Catholic. :wink:
:lol: I dont know many Roman Catholics. Not a big thing in my area.
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Post by _chriscarani » Sat May 20, 2006 8:27 pm

Thanks Christopher. I am not attempting to be devisive here, but from Homers response to me, I get a different impression. Like he said "I take it as limited to those to whom it was spoken, which in my opinion, is safer ground".

I could very well be wrong, I just have never heard this view and am trying to understand it.
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Post by _Homer » Sun May 21, 2006 6:06 pm

Chriscarini,

You seem to have gotten the impression that I do not believe all Christians possess the Holy Spirit. I believe that anyone who does not have the Spirit is not a Christian, plain and simple. It is promised as you quoted Peter in Acts 2:38 and affirmed by Paul in Romans 8:9, "But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

The question is not regarding the possession of the Holy Spirit in John 16:13, but whether the Apostles had a special role that we do not have and does the promise contained therein apply to them only, in fulfilling their unique role, or does the promise apply equally to us, or in some lesser sense to us?

First of all, I believe it must be acknowledged the Apostles had a unique role to fill as shown by a parallel passage, spoken by Jesus in the same discourse, John 14:26, "He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you". Everything we know of Jesus, every word recorded in scripture, has come to us through them. Without them, we have no Jesus. And the revelation is complete. Jude 3 informs us to "contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints." The Holy Spirit does not "lead us into all truth" in the same way He did them.

Does the Holy Spirit "lead us into (or toward) all truth" in a lesser sense? Whether He does or not is not to be found in Jesus' discourse in John 14-17 unless I missed something. Please correct me if I have.

You said:
I think the Bible plainly says that the Holy Spirit was given to all believers who are in Christ, but what would be the point if it didn’t lead us into truth? What is the role of the HS then?
I believe the major role of the Spirit is to encourage (lead) us to live according to that which has been revealed to us. As Livingink said in a recent post, He grabs me by the collar and takes me out behind the woodshed quite often. It may be through something Steve says, someone else here, someone at church, and often by my wife (thank God for her), but rarely if ever by anything unconnected with that which has been revealed in scripture.

I believe the Holy Spirit leads us into obedience to the truth that is revealed in scripture. How often does He lead you totally apart from His word? As we feed on His word, He uses it to convict, encourage, and strengthen us. I believe the very best, if not the only, evidence that we have the Holy Spirit, and thus belong to Christ, is found in our obedience. (It might be objected here that the evidence is found in our love of God and our neighbor, but those are both commanded and thus part of our obedience.) Peter says in a little noticed passage in Acts 5:32, "And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given (aorist, completed) to those who obey (present participle, continuous or repeated) Him. In other words, you can tell who has the Holy Spirit, it is those who keep on obeying Jesus. No doubt this sounds kind of dull to some.
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Post by _STEVE7150 » Mon May 22, 2006 5:19 pm

First of all, I believe it must be acknowledged the Apostles had a unique role to fill as shown by a parallel passage, spoken by Jesus in the same discourse, John 14:26, "He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you". Everything we know of Jesus, every word recorded in scripture, has come to us through them. Without them, we have no Jesus. And the revelation is complete. Jude 3 informs us to "contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints." The Holy Spirit does not "lead us into all truth" in the same way He did them.


Homer, In the OT the prophets received visions or messages from God through the Spirit and revealed these to us but they often did'nt understand what these messages meant themselves. And so with the Apostles they received revelations like Peter did about Jesus being the Christ and they reported these revelations to us. That was given to them by the Spirit for a purpose of communicating something to the world. But we as believers should be ultimately led into "all truth" by the Spirit even if that truth is not clear in this lifetime for as Paul said in this life we look at things as if looking through a foggy glass but on the other side all things will become clear. So it's a journey for all of us and the Holy Spirit is the captain of the ship IMO. Of course the Spirit will not lead us into anything that contradicts scripture but to some extent we all have personal journeys to make and we need the Holy Spirit to lead us through our lives so we fulfill God's purpose for us.
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