What Jesus says about the Holy Spirit

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I sometimes talk with believers who struggle to understand how the Holy Spirit, like the Father and the Son, is divine—one of the three Persons of the Trinity. I typically offer them examples of how, in Scripture, the things said about the Father and the Son, which assume they are personal, are also said about the Holy Spirit. I then note the many titles ascribed in the Bible to the Holy Spirit (see the list below). Lastly, I share some of what Jesus taught concerning the Spirit. In this letter, I’ll focus on that teaching.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit in three ways: Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth and Paraklētos (a Greek word translated Advocate in the NIV, Counselor in the RSV, Helper in the ESV and Comforter in the ASV). Scripture shows that Jesus did not view the Spirit as a mere reservoir of power. The word paraklētos, which means “one called to the side of,” is commonly used in Greek literature to refer to a person who takes up the cause of another and defends them. In John’s writings, Jesus refers to himself as a paraklētos, then refers to the Holy Spirit using the same term.

On the evening before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples that he was going away (John 13:33), though he promised not to leave them “as orphans” (John 14:18). Instead, he promised to ask the Father to send “another Comforter [Paraklētos]” to be with them (John 14:16, ASV). By saying “another,” Jesus was indicating that there was a first (himself), and that the one to come, like himself, would be a divine Person of the Trinity, not just a power. Jesus had been serving as their Paraklētos—in his presence (even in the midst of terrible storms), the disciples found the courage and strength to go outside their “comfort zones” to participate with Jesus in the ministry he was doing on behalf of all humanity. But now Jesus was going to leave and they were, understandably, deeply disturbed.

Jesus takes his leave—from *Maesta* by Duccio
(public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Up to that time, Jesus had been the disciples’ Paraklētos (note 1 John 2:1, where Jesus is called “an Advocate” [Paraklētos]). But now (particularly post-Pentecost), the Holy Spirit would be that Advocate—their ever-present counselor, comforter, helper and teacher. What Jesus promised his disciples, and what the Father sent, was not a mere power, but a Person—the third Person of the Trinity, whose ministry is to lead and guide the disciples in the way of Jesus.

We find the Holy Spirit operating in personal ways throughout the Bible: in Genesis, he hovers over the waters; in Luke’s Gospel, he overshadows Mary. He is mentioned 56 times in the four Gospels, 57 times in Acts, and 112 times in Paul’s epistles. In these references we find the Spirit, in distinctly personal ways, comforting, teaching, guiding, warning, determining and distributing gifts, interceding for us when we don’t know what to pray, assuring us of our adoption, and freeing us to call out to God as our Abba (Father) just as Jesus did. Note Jesus’ instruction:

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you. (John 16:13-15)

In communion with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit has a distinctive ministry. Instead of speaking about himself, he points people to Jesus who then takes them to the Father. Instead of doing what he wills, the Holy Spirit implements the Father’s will in accordance with what the Son declares. The divine will of the one, united, triune God is thus expressed by the actions of the Father, through the Word (Jesus), performed by the Holy Spirit. We now can enjoy and benefit from the personal presence of God ministering among us by the Holy Spirit, our Paraklētos. United in being, act, will and purpose, yet distinct in three divine Persons, we worship and adore the Trinity.

Thankful for the Holy Spirit and his ministry,
Joseph Tkach

GC Next gathering

A group of young adults (pictured below) gathered recently for GC Next 2017. Here is a report from event coordinator Andy Rooney (and click on the picture below for video highlights).

Thanks to the Holy Spirit working through the prayers, support, guidance and encouragement of so many in GCI, GC Next was a tremendous success! 61 young adults (ages 18-30) from 16 different states (in the US and Canada), and 43 different churches came together at a retreat center near Durham, North Carolina, on MLK weekend (January 13-16) to worship, fellowship, sharpen ministry tools, and encourage one another towards fullness of life, love and community in Jesus Christ.

GC Next was unique in the sense that there was little delineation between leaders and participants. This was possible because the leadership team intentionally sought to proactively empower and facilitate. We offered 24 different workshops and had 23 different workshop leaders. Put another way, 43% of the participants at GC Next led a workshop! In addition, 31 different people (58% of participants) had some sort of leadership role in the planning and/or executing of the weekend. GC Next was a weekend of passion, sharing and collaborative learning. It was a picture of the Body of Christ utilizing its diverse gifting to function in unity with one another.

Our workshops were small group (12-15 people) discussions with interaction focused on themes of putting our theology into practice. We discovered indestructible peace, shared our testimonies, discussed sexual wholeness, served people at a nearby homeless shelter, practiced spiritual formation, developed tools to love others well, brainstormed ideas for sustainable ministries and much more. In addition, we had a night for games and fellowship, a night for dancing and celebration, and a night for prayer and worship (shout out to Revolution Cry for an incredible job leading us in worship!). It was a wonderfully enriching weekend where strangers left as family and young adults left inspired. God is certainly working in this next generation of GCI leaders!

Here are quotes from GC Next participants:

“GC Next changed my life. I feel uplifted and encouraged to live life better.”
“This past weekend was AMAZING. It was one of the best weekends ever. Bringing all those people together was absolutely magical. It made so many people so happy.”
“I felt loved, accepted, and deeply challenged by people I just met.”
“Very informative, eye-opening, and practical discussion.”
“GC Next gives me hope. We can do a lot of good with this group.”

Pastor’s wife named special advocate

Joanne McCulley, wife of GCI Pastor Mark McCulley (Denver, Colorado), recently was sworn in as a court-appointed Special Advocate. She will be working with the CASA organization in two Denver-area counties. CASA is a nation-wide organization serving the county juvenile court system.

Joanne has worked with young people for many years, including teen ministry in several GCI congregations and camps. Her passion has always been to care for those hurt by family weakness and dysfunction. As a CASA volunteer, Joanne will be assigned a single case, a child or several siblings from a family in crisis with the goal of helping stabilize and reunite the family. Her work will include meeting with the assigned children regularly with authorization to interview people in the child’s life such as social workers, attorneys, and teachers. She will also attend court hearings with the child and report her findings to the judge.

Photo of the group assembled for the CASA swearing in ceremony.
Joanna is in the middle, back row.

Canadian elder honored

Charles Norris, an elder who serves in GCI’s congregation in Winnipeg, Canada, was recently awarded the annual “Harry Lehotsky Award for Community Activism” sponsored by the government of the Canadian province of Manitoba. The award recognizes an individual’s efforts to strengthen the community through efforts that directly or indirectly contribute to public safety. Included with the award was a grant for $2,000, which Charles plans to use to help fund GCI’s Hands of Hope ministry that provides free furniture to the poor and needy in Winnipeg. Charles and his wife Sandra (pictured below) have operated Hands of Hope for over 15 years.

Staying inspired as a long-term pastor

We are blessed in GCI to have many pastors who have served in one location for many years. There are many advantages to a long tenure in one location, but how does a pastor stay inspired over a long period of time? For some helpful tips from Loren Hicks, click here.

Death of Russell Duke’s father

We were saddened to learn of the recent death of James Owen Duke, father of Russell Duke, Vice Chairman of the GCI Board. Russell provided the following tribute to his Dad.

My Dad was born in 1923 and died at age 93. He leaves behind his wife of 71 years, Claire Duke, two sons, Russell and Warren, and one daughter, Kay Overstreet. He was preceded in death by his son Byron. He leaves six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Dad graduated high school in Camden, Alabama, in 1940, and with war raging in Europe, he entered the United States Marine Corps in 1941 at age 17. He was on duty in the radio room at Point Loma, California, when the call came from Pearl Harbor to another desk in the room, reporting the Japanese attack. Over the next four years he served in the South Pacific, landing in Vella Lanella Island and Choiseul Island, where he earned the Bronze Star. He completed his military service in 1946, honorably discharged, with the notation for character of service—Excellent.

In 1954, Dad became a follower of Herbert Armstrong in the Radio Church of God, ordained a deacon and then employed by the then-named Worldwide Church of God in 1969, then ordained an elder in the church, serving as associate pastor in Big Sandy, Texas (1977), then in Anniston, Alabama (1986), lastly in Dallas, Texas (1988), before retiring at age 68 in 1991.

Dad was committed to liberty, risking his very life for his country; committed to love of wife and family; and committed to faith in Jesus Christ, living his whole life for our God. And now he lives on in the hands of the Father, the heart of Jesus Christ, and the breath of the Holy Spirit.

GCI Denominational Conference

Note that registration closes on May 31 for the GCI Denominational Conference that will be held in Orlando, Florida, in August, 2017 (click here for more information and registration). In addition to the main conference, we’re offering two ACCM intensives (Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care) and a training seminar leading to certification for use of Prepare/Enrich, a pre-marital/marital counseling system recommended by GCI for use by pastors in their counseling ministry.