Co-workers with The Holy Spirit
In our last blog I shared that Jesus reveals that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of what Jesus taught (John 14:26-27). This is his ministry of teaching and reminding to the believer. Just think of it we have a teacher and guide in the person of The Holy Spirit.
Jesus reveals another ministry that The Holy Spirit performs. This is the ministry of giving witness about Jesus (John 15:26). Note that Jesus said that in this ministry of The Holy Spirit is that of 'bearing witness' to him. It is also noteworthy Jesus states that the Holy Spirit is also sent "to you from the Father (Jn 15:26)." Because the followers of Jesus will also bear witness about Jesus.
In bearing witness to Jesus it should be noted that Jesus states that it is The Holy Spirit who is first to "bear witness." And with this clearly in mind Jesus says that his follower's will "also bear witness" to Jesus (John 14:27). This is because Jesus stated that The Holy Spirit is sent to his followers for the purpose of bearing witness (vs. 26)
Is there anything to the sequence here at which we should pay attention? It certainly seems so from the text and from the testimony of Scripture. Witness that comes from Jesus' followers must be empowered and enabled by The Holy Spirit. This is most generally understood from a passage like Acts 1:8.. It also is of great importance, I think, that any witness by Jesus' followers is empowered because of The Holy Spirit.
REFLECT: How much of a partnership with The Holy Spirit do you understand you have when you are giving witness about Jesus?