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Advent Lessons

Lesson 3 · April 17, 1897

Persecution and Its Cause; the Coming of the Comforter and His Work

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(Chapter 16, .)

Questions.

  1. 1.What was the purpose of the instruction already given?
  2. 2.What is said of excommunication?
  3. 3.Under what claim would the bitterest persecution be carried forward?
  4. 4.Why would such things be possible?
  5. 5.Why were these things now explained? Why was it not necessary to speak of them sooner?
  6. 6.What important event in Christ's experience was just at hand? What statement does He make with reference to it?
  7. 7.What experience had Christ's instruction produced?
  8. 8.What fact did He then state? What reason did He give for this? What promise did He then make?
  9. 9.On what counts will the Comforter secure the conviction of the world?
  10. 10.Why of sin? Of righteousness? Of judgment?
  11. 11.Had Christ imparted all the instruction which He had to give? Why did He not proceed?
  12. 12.What would be the work of the Holy Spirit? How would He speak? What would He speak? What will He show, or declare?
  13. 13.Whom will the Spirit glorify? How will this be done?
  14. 14.How much do the Father and the Son have in common? What statement does this explain?
  15. 15.How is the departure of Christ now mentioned? But what would still be true in "a little while"? Why?

Notes

1. "That we should not be offended." "Offended" here means caused to stumble, the same as in , and many other New Testament passages. It does not mean angry, as we might be led to conclude from the use and meaning of the word in our day.

2. "It is expedient for you that I go away." It would be better for God's people for Christ to go away, and send them the Comforter, because Christ could only be present in person in one place at the same time, whereas the Comforter could be present everywhere at all times, to convict, convert, and sanctify the people. Hence, in order to have the gospel do its work in every part of the world it was necessary for Jesus to go away, and for the Comforter to come.

3. "Reprove" is translated from a word which includes the meaning of the words "convince" and "convict." The work of the Comforter relates to sin, righteousness, and judgment. He convicts us of sin and cleanses us from it. He convinces of Christ's righteousness and brings it to us. He convinces us of a future judgment and prepares us for it. He convicts the world of sin "because they believe not on Me." That is, without faith in Christ, condemnation still rests upon them. "Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more." That is, as the Saviour was going away, the Comforter would manifest, or reveal, God's righteousness, teach its principles, and implant them in the hearts of men. . "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." That is, as Satan, the prince of this world, was judged or cast out (see ; ), at the close of the Saviour's work on earth, so the Comforter would convince and convict the world of a final judgment, when all must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

4. "He will show you things to come." Thus our Lord clearly taught His people that the Holy Spirit would move upon the hearts of His servants in this dispensation and reveal to them future events, as well as in ancient times; in other words, that the gift of prophecy would be exercised in the Christian church. See ; ; ; .

5. By comparing with , it is evident that Jesus is referring to his going to heaven to prepare a place for His people.

Suggestive Questions.

1. Why did none of them ask Christ, "Whither goest Thou"?

2. What work upon the heart does the Spirit of God perform? See ; .

3. How was the "prince of this world" judged?

4. How does the Spirit of God show us things to come?

5. Are there any other parties to the partnership mentioned in ?

Bible texts in this lesson

John 16:1-16 · Matthew 11:6 · Matthew 18:6-9 · Matthew 26:31 · John 16:12-15 · John 12:31 · Revelation 12:7-13 · Acts 2:38 · Acts 2:39 · Romans 12:6 · 1 Corinthians 12:1 · 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 · 1 Corinthians 12:28 · Ephesians 4:11-13 · John 16:16 · John 14:1-3 · 2 Corinthians 3:3 · Hebrews 8:10 · John 16:15

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