Bennie S. Triplett
This is a copy of the manuscript found in the booklet, Understanding The Holy Spirit which is no longer in print. It is the subject of the midweek Bible Study at SpiritLife Church. This booklet was written by various authors and compiled by Dr. Ray H. Hughes.
The title “Comforter” is an English translation of the Greek word Paraclete which is used in the New Testament to designate both the Second and Third Persons of the Holy Trinity. The word occurs five times in the New Testament, all in the writings of John. It is found four times in the Gospel of John. (John 14:16) (John 14:26) (John 15:26) (John 16:7) and once in the Epistle of 1 John 2:1. Most frequently this word is translated “Comforter” in the Gospel of John, while in the Epistle of 1 John it is translated “Advocate.”
The word Paraclete is used primarily as a title for the Holy Spirit. It is a compound Greek word with a prepositional prefix-Para, meaning “beside or alongside of” and kaleo meaning “to call” or “one called alongside of another to help and to give aid.” It carries the idea of close companionship or personal association. This chapter will reinforce the truth of the Holy Spirit as Comforter-One who is adequate, appropriate, and abiding.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AN ADEQUATE COMFORTER
Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter” (John 14:16, KJV). In the English language there is only one word for “another”; in Greek there are two: one is the word allos, meaning “another of the same sort,” and the other is heteras, meaning “another of a different or separate sort.” This word is a prefix to many of our English derivatives. The word Jesus uses is allos. He was not saying, “I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter of a different or separate sort.” Rather, He was saying,”My Father will send another Comforter of exactly the same sort.”
The disciples were grieving over the prospects of losing Jesus. He assured them that He would not leave them comfortless. He further suggested that it was even profitable and expedient for Him to go away in order that the Comforter might come. He then explained the character and quality of the Holy Spirit’s ministry when He said, “He will not be another of a different or separate sort; but, rather, He will be another of the same kind that I am.” All that Jesus was to the disciples and the early church, the Holy Spirit is to the contemporary Church.
He is the adequate Comforter; that is why Jesus used the word allos. All that He said and more, He will be to you. “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12). He knew that the disciples would need something different from the “comforters” which Job experienced (Job 16:2). Job’s friends were called “comforters,” but their work was the opposite of what the name implies. On the other hand, Jesus indicated that the Holy Spirit would be from the same source as Christ himself: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter” (John 14:16). He will be adequate.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AN APPROPRIATE COMFORTER
He is a Comforter. Christ’s ministry on this earth was one of solace, consolation, forgiveness, healing, and the alleviating of guilt and grief. Likewise, the Holy Spirit has been divinely dispatched to the aid of the believer to heal his hurts and to quiet the antagonism of his soul. I have found this comfort in my own experience. In my grief and fear, I sought the comfort of the Holy Spirit. As He manifested Himself to me, I was assured that my life was in His hands and that He was in control. I became aware that my immediate circumstances were only temporary. He is my Comforter.
He is an Advocate. The word comforter is the primary translation of the word Paraclete. The word Advocate is the secondary translation. The Holy Spirit will minister as an ad-vocate, pleading our causes; He builds our cases; and serves as our representative, interceding on our behalf. His power and presence encompasses our total being and personality, filling us with His fullness so that we are able to cope triumphantly with life and its opportunities.
He is a Teacher. Jesus declared in John 14:26, “He shall teach you all things.” He is our instructor in all necessary truths of righteousness. It is an enriching experience to study with a teacher who is the author of the textbook. When the Spirit-filled believer studies his Bible, the Bible becomes more than pages, paragraphs, phrases, and sentences. It comes alive with the very presence, personality, and character of God. The believer suddenly realizes that the Holy Spirit is his Teacher and that the Teacher wrote the textbook. “For holy men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). When human understanding is insufficient, the Holy Spirit enhances our ability to comprehend. He illuminates the dark passages, (1 Corinthians 2:14). He is the Teacher of His Book (John 14:26). He is the Guide who knows the way (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13). When we are unable to verbalize our feelings, the Spirit teaches us (Luke 12:11, 12); and when we are unable to pray, the Spirit helps us (Romans 8:26, 27). He is our Teacher.
He is a Helper. The word Paraclete means more than just “Comforter.” It also means “advocate, intercessor, teacher, guide, and helper.” Some theologians avoid discussion of the word helper because of its simplicity, as though its practicality might detract from the high office and dignity of the Third Person of the Trinity.
It is refreshing to note that a recent writing by Catherine Marshall on the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the 20th century believer is entitled The Helper. A helper is someone called in to do something— someone who is both knowledgeable and capable. Jesus knew that the church was going to need help. He knew that each individual would be striving, and that occasionally we all would need aid—that special divine assistance which only God can give. In essence, He said, “I’ll not let you down; I’ll not leave you without help. I will come to you. So don’t give up … and don’t lose heart. Help is on the way. I will send Him unto you!” (see John 15:26 and 16:7). He will be your Comforter! He will be your Helper! He will be more than adequate for any circumstance, any crisis, or any emergency.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AN ABIDING COMFORTER
Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).
He is a Companion. The dictionary defines companion as “an associate, one of a pair or set of like things; a person employed to hire or travel with another and act in the capacity of a friend… one who accompanies.” Jesus reiterates, “He dwell-eth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). What a relationship God has with His people! He is not aloof, im-personal, or elevated to the extent that He cannot abide with His own. He desires to dwell with the believer, and have dominion over the sanctuary of man’s soul. God made His point when He sent Jesus, the Incarnation. His designation as “Em-manuel,” which means “God with us” and illustrates God’s intent. He further proved His purpose when He sent the Holy Spirit and called Him “the Comforter”-Who “dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17). As James L. Slay indicates, the dimension of the Holy Spirit Baptism is the difference between “with-ness” and “in-ness.”
He is Present. While the Holy Spirit’s ministry is varied and diversified, His uniqueness to the twentieth century Church can be described in the word presence. This is undoubtedly the difference in the true New Testament Church and the religionists, between true worshipers and those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. The presence of God and the awareness of the abiding “with-ness” and baptismal “in-ness” of the Holy Spirit are the hallmarks of New Testament Pentecostal worship and living. With His abiding presence, churches grow; without it, they die. The abiding, manifesting, demonstrating presence of the Holy Spirit in daily life makes the difference between worship marked with ritual and worship imbued with power.
In the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, it appears that the Apostle Peter is presiding over that particular service. Peter, however, asks an interesting question: “Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?” (v. 3). It seems that a higher power was actually in charge. A higher authority really presided over the work and worship of the people. The wrong, the sin, and the hurt were committed against the pastor, the people, and the church; but more significantly, they were committed against the Holy Spirit of God. He is always present.
At the first Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, the Holy Spirit apparently participated in the discussion; for, when the Minutes of the meeting were recorded, their common conclusion was that, “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us” (Acts 15:28). The Holy Spirit is God’s executive liaison sitting in on matters that are important to the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is always present. He is an abiding presence. He is a comforting presence.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Compare and analyze the words comforter and advocate; What are the distinct works of each?
- The Greek words allos and heteras both mean “another.” How do they differ in their translation? Which one refers to the Holy Spirit according to John 14:16? How does the Holy Spirit differ from Job’s “comforters” (Job 16:2)?
- The Holy Spirit is a teacher. In light of this, discuss John 14:26 and 1 Corinthians 2:14.
- How does the Holy Spirit minister to us in His role as a companion?