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The Sabbath School

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 13.

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The Sabbath School

International Series.

LESSON III.—SABBATH, APRIL 17, 1897.

PERSECUTION AND ITS CAUSE; THE COMING OF THE COMFORTER AND HIS WORK.

Lesson Scripture, John 16: 1-16, R. V.
“1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God. 3 And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I spoken unto you, that when their hour is come, ye may remember them, how that I told you. 5 And these things I said not unto you from the beginning, because I was with you. 6 But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 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 unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. 8 And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; 9 of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; 11 of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth; for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak; and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. 14 He shall glorify me; for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you. 15 All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye behold me no more; and again a little while, and ye shall see me.”

QUESTIONS.

  1. What was the purpose of the instruction already given?
  2. What is said of excommunication?
  3. Under what claim would the bitterest persecution be carried forward?
  4. Why would such things be possible?
  5. Why were these things now explained? Why was it not necessary to speak of them sooner?
  6. What important event in Christ’s experience was just at hand? What statement does he make with reference to it?
  7. What experience had Christ’s instruction produced?
  8. What fact did he then state? What reason did he give for this? What promise did he then make?
  9. On what counts will the Comforter secure the conviction of the world?
  10. Why of sin? Of righteousness? Of judgment?
  11. Had Christ imparted all the instruction which he had to give? Why did he not proceed?
  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. Whom will the Spirit glorify? How will this be done?
  14. How much do the Father and the Son have in common? What statement does this explain?
  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 Matt. 11:6; 18:6-9; 26:31, 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 ofmen. Verses 12-15. “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 John 12:31; Rev. 12:7-13), 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 Acts 2:38, 39; Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:1, 7-10, 28; Eph. 4:11-13.
5. By comparing verse 16 with John 14:1-3, it is evident that Jesus is referring to his going to heaven to prepare a place for his people.

Suggestions for Further Study.

  1. Why did none of them ask Christ, “Whither goest thou?”
  2. What work upon the heart does the Spirit of God perform? See 2 Cor. 3:3; Heb. 8:10.
  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 verse 15?