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The gospel of John

The gospel of John, known as the fourth gospel, presents the Bible's greatest teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The concept of the Holy Spirit is introduced, portrayed in earthly form (a dove), and discussed at length by Jesus Christ. In John's gospel, the Holy Spirit begins its mission on earth: its infusion into the lives of human beings. The description of the activity of the Holy Spirit makes the Fourth Gospel perhaps the most inspiring book of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit is interrelated with the Father and the Son in the mission of salvation. The activity of the Holy Spirit on earth is the third part of this mission. In the Old Testament, God himself communicated directly with the patriarchs, the most notable of whom was Moses. Moses spoke with God at the top of the mount and was even allowed to view God, albeit from the protected safety of a cleft in a rock; for no man can see God and live. The second part of God's mission was fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who was born of God and made flesh. Jesus' ministry called upon sinners to repent and partake of salvation. But Jesus was only intended to inhabit the earth for a limited period of time. His death paved the way for the ministry of the Holy Spirit: "The Spirit shares in the mission of Son and Father in creation and redemption, in the coming and life of the Son, and himself is sent and comes to be with us" (Thompson 72).

The first reference to the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John is found in the very first chapter. The circumstance is the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Immediately upon seeing Jesus, John is aware that he is in the presence of the son of God. Apparently, God had already spoken to John about the event because John professes foreknowledge of the sign he is to look for to confirm Jesus' divinity: "but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining...

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The gospel of John. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 17:58, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1708152.html