The Holy Ghost

As long as Jesus himself was present, there was no need for further witnesses to the truth. The power from the Son of Man was so mighty that the listener would know the truth of it. Then he/she would either become a believer, or he/she would resist this power and seek ways to deny, and to destroy the message, and the man.

But it is obvious that Jesus saw a need for his disciples to receive something more than just knowledge of the truthfulness of the message that he came with:

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 depart, I will send him unto you… (John 16:7)

So, Jesus and the Comforter could not work on the disciples both at the same time. In order for them to receive the Comforter, Jesus had to leave them. He said this was expedient… the right thing for them. So, Jesus in his superior wisdom sees fit to go away, so that his disciples could develop even further, with the help of a Comforter. What is this comforter?

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

So the Comforter is the Holy Ghost. But these are not the only names he has.

We will recognize him under his other names; the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of the Highest, the Spirit, the Testifier, etc. How come the Holy Ghost has so many names? It is not an easy question to give a complete answer to.

But for one thing, the names of members of the godhead are often what are called name-titles, a name that is derived from a title that belongs to the particular calling or characteristic of that member of the godhead. For example, the Holy Ghost has a calling to give comfort unto the meek who morn their sins, thus, his name; the Comforter. Further he is a spirit with a calling to testify of truth, hence the names; the Spirit, the Spirit of truth, and the Testifier, etc. It is the same principle as with Jesus. Isaiah wrote that his name should be called Wonderful, Counselor, Eternal God, Price of Peace…

Let’s look at the different roles of the Holy Ghost, and see why it was so important for the disciples to receive him, rather than have the continued companionship of Jesus himself:

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

12 …I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:12-15)

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1Cor 12:4)

Jesus had to leave the disciples altogether in order for them to receive this Comforter:

• He shall comfort those who mourn.
• "He shall testify of me". (In order to testify, the testator must first witness something, and then judge it to be the truth, and then, finally, stand up as a witness to the truth he has witnessed. It is impossible to testify to ones own goodness with any greater credibility.)
• "He shall glorify me". (In order to glorify someone, the glorifier must have a position of credibility. I can glorify someone that I am very close to, if I, myself, am absolutely without reproach. It is never possible to glorify one-self.)
• He shall teach you all things.
• He shall teach you all things-when we can bear it.
• He will guide you into all truth.
• He will show you things to come.
• "Bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you".
• Whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.
• "He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you".
• The Spirit helps us pray for that which we should pray for.
• The saints began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
• The saints received various Gifts of the Spirit.