JSS 3 CRS: The Promise of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)
Core Concepts
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit). Before Jesus returned to heaven, He knew His disciples would need help and guidance. So, He made a very important promise: He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. This promise was a sign of God's continued presence and power among His followers. The Holy Spirit is like a divine Helper, Teacher, and Guide who lives inside believers. Jesus explained that His departure was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come and empower His followers to continue His work on Earth.
Key Points
1. Jesus Promises Another Helper (John 14:16-17, 26)
- Jesus told His disciples, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever." This Helper is the Holy Spirit, also called the "Spirit of Truth."
- The world cannot receive or understand the Holy Spirit because it does not see Him or know Him. However, believers will know Him because He lives with them and will be in them.
- Jesus further explained that this Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father would send in His name, would teach them all things. He would also remind them of everything Jesus had told them. This means the Holy Spirit helps us understand God's word and remember Jesus' teachings.
2. The Holy Spirit's Coming and Work (John 16:5-16)
- Jesus told His disciples that He had to leave them and return to the Father. He knew they were sad, but He assured them that His departure was actually for their good. He said, "Unless I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."
- The Holy Spirit's work in the world: When the Holy Spirit comes, He will convince the world about sin (because they don't believe in Jesus), about righteousness (because Jesus is going to the Father), and about judgment (because the ruler of this world, Satan, has been judged).
- The Holy Spirit's work for believers: Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His followers into all truth. He would not speak on His own authority but would tell them what He heard from God. The Holy Spirit would also declare to them things that are to come and would glorify Jesus by taking what belongs to Jesus and making it known to them. This means the Holy Spirit helps us understand God's plans and reveals more about Jesus.
3. Waiting for the Promise (Acts 1:3-5)
- After Jesus rose from the dead, He spent 40 days with His disciples, teaching them about the Kingdom of God.
- During this time, He gave them a very important instruction: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about."
- Jesus reminded them that John the Baptist baptized with water, but "in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." This meant they would receive a special power and presence of God Himself. They were to wait patiently in Jerusalem for this divine empowerment.
Summary
Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit, a divine Helper, Teacher, and Guide, after He returned to heaven. This Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Truth, would live in believers, teach them, remind them of Jesus' words, and guide them into all truth. He would also convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for this special gift, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which would empower them to carry out God's work.
GOLDEN STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMY