4/17/11 John 15:26-27

²⁶ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. ²⁷ And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

(Polycarp of Smyrna- 86 Years Have I served Him- How can I blaspheme my King now? Polycarp was a disciple of John the Apostle)

Thoughts: The Spirit testifies- usually through scripture- and never against scripture.  This is a principle that is often overlooked in our day of disobedience to Christ.  We want the Spirit to testify despite what scripture says.  But the Spirit inspired the writers of scripture.  God does not need to repent or lie or change.  The Spirit testifies about the Son- not the Son apart from scripture.  While scripture does not contain all truth, it does contain the truth about the Son.  We too are called to testify- despite the heretics, despite the despisers, despite those who will try us. 

Prayer:  Give me ears to hear you, Holy Spirit, testifying.  Give me strength to testify with you.

John Calvin Abridged: Christ explains to them that the Gospel should not be less valued because it has many adversaries; when the world rales against us, our protection lies in the Holy Spirit. The single witness of the Spirit is a safe haven and drives away all false witnesses to the Gospel.  The Spirit fixes our faith on Him alone.