Topical Bible: The Love of Christ: Manifested in His: Sending the Spirit

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The love of Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, and one of its profound manifestations is His sending of the Holy Spirit to His followers. This act is not only a testament to His enduring love but also a fulfillment of His promises and a continuation of His work on earth.

Promise of the Spirit

Before His crucifixion, Jesus assured His disciples that He would not leave them as orphans. In John 14:16-17 , He promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." This promise highlights Christ's love in ensuring that His followers would not be left alone but would have divine guidance and comfort.

The Sending of the Spirit

After His resurrection, Jesus reiterated this promise. In Acts 1:4-5 , He instructed the apostles, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." This directive underscores the importance of the Holy Spirit as a gift of love, empowering believers to continue Christ's mission.

Pentecost: The Fulfillment

The fulfillment of this promise is vividly described in Acts 2:1-4 , where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles during Pentecost: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of a new era in which the Spirit empowers believers to spread the Gospel.

The Role of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit, as sent by Christ, plays a crucial role in the life of believers. In John 16:13-14 , Jesus explains, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you." The Spirit's role in guiding, teaching, and revealing truth is a continuous expression of Christ's love, ensuring that His followers remain connected to Him and His teachings.

Empowerment for Witness

The sending of the Spirit also empowers believers to be witnesses of Christ's love and salvation. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus declares, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is a direct result of Christ's love, enabling His followers to carry out the Great Commission with boldness and conviction.

The Spirit as Comforter and Advocate

The Holy Spirit is also described as a Comforter and Advocate, providing solace and support to believers. In John 14:26 , Jesus states, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." This comforting presence is a manifestation of Christ's love, offering peace and reassurance in times of trial and uncertainty.

Through the sending of the Holy Spirit, the love of Christ is made manifest in a tangible and transformative way, ensuring that His presence and power remain active in the lives of His followers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: you have received gifts for men; yes, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak Though the ...
... great manifestation of God's love, "God manifested in the flesh," how you despise
his love pledge to ... conclude an antichristian point, that Christ is not ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii for what the.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... "Great is the mystery of godliness, God manifested in the ... that there was any cause
beside his love) why Christ ... If either of these were true, Christ needed not ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x for what the.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... of which the condition was love to Christ, manifested in the ... and common interests
and hopes - love of the ... was the one outstanding Farewell-Command of Christ. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

Jesus Announces his Departure.
... Christ did upon earth God was glorified; His holiness, His fatherly love were
manifested to men: in all that God now does upon earth Christ will be ...
/.../viii jesus announces his departure.htm

The Toiling Christ
... rebuke, or working works of power and love, or simply ... Jesus Christ manifested on
earth performs indeed a work"the ... precious a proof it is of Christ's humanity ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the toiling christ.htm

Christ, to Perform the Office of Mediator, Behoved to Become Man.
... depth and height; and to know the love of Christ ... saying, and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came ... that the grace which is now manifested by the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 christ to perform.htm

Grace and Glory
... attracts your moral sense, when it is manifested in any ... of God, the spirit of universal
love, which proceedeth ... a schoolmaster to bring you to Christ, to that ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxv grace and glory.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... had not so manifested the infinite fulness of love. ... the work he was about
required,"manifested to reproach ... and a great point of Christ's humiliation,"that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi for what the.htm

Trials to be Met.
... which we owe to him. This love to Christ must be manifested by obeying
his commandments. To yield strict obedience to ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter viii trials to be.htm

Judas
... anointed the Saviour's feet, Judas manifested his covetous disposition. ... But the last
appeal of love was unheeded ... Judas beheld the captors of Christ, acting upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 76 judas.htm