Because of some recent requests I have received for teaching and preaching on the HS texts in John’s Gospel, and on the subject of the HS in John’s Gospel, I have been motivated to restudy and write.
The Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel is different than in the other gospels. The HS in John’s Gospel is less a miracle worker–more a presence. The Holy Spirit instructs and convicts. That conviction (convincing the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment as in John 16:8) is probably to be connected with the testimony of the Holy Spirit (15:26ff). Based on John’s Gospel, we can expect that the Holy Spirit will point to Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers the testimony of believers. John foreshadows the promisory, guaranteeing work of the HS when he records Jesus’ promise that the HS will speak of things to come.
In fact, the HS passages in John are fairly limited. The HS is present at the baptism of Jesus, probably referred to in the encounter with Nicodemus, given as a presence without restriction or limitation (to Jesus? or to believers?). Less clear references occur in the conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (worship in spirit and in truth) and in John 6 (the spirit gives life, in contrast to the flesh).
The John 7 passage as Jesus teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles has troubled some because of the expectation of miraculous empowerment rather than comforting presence. John 7 must be read in the context of John’s Gospel first. Any other approach will result in a fuzzy view. The work of the HS in the world and in believers is frequently mentioned in the Upper Room discourse (John 14-16). With a good concordance, you can make your own complete list of occurrences and teachings.
Have you studied this topic? Have you looked at HS solely or primarily through the lens of John’s Gospel? What have you concluded? What are some of your favorite or best resources?