I know that I am one of Jesus’ sisters, but please can you tell me where the above reference to Jesus’ sister is, in the Bible, as this could be confusing to a new believer who reads your comments.

Yes, I think for many of us knowing and doing God’s will in the day to day is the challenge. I am trying to grow in this area by first, making sure that I am daily trusting in Christ who died for my sins. Then I am reading the Bible looking for specific ways I can do what God created me to do.

As I do this, I find that I gain a new appreciation for who God created me to be. I find grace and forgiveness, which give me strength to continue to seek God and His ways.

Thanks for sharing your goal of “working on being a better sister” – you’ve challenged me to want to be a brother He is glad to claim!

Bill

I’m sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I have been away from blogging for several months due to “life.”

The idea that the “Spirit guides us into all truth” is not my own. It comes from Jesus Himself as recorded in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

That still leaves the question, “What exactly did Jesus mean by that?” but the fact that John recorded the statement implies that it is and should be meaningful to his readers. I think it implies at least that Jesus expected to continue His relationship with His disciples through the gift of His Spirit given to His disciples from His Father. Of course, Jesus also said that the Spirit would remind us of everything that He said to us (John 14:26). That would certainly apply to the original disciples who were aided by the Spirit to remember what Jesus said so they could write it down. But I have also heard testimonies of folks today who say that in key moments in their lives they have been reminded of the words of Scripture. This work of the Spirit helped guide them in making important choices so that they followed the example of Jesus. As I read Scripture I believe that the Holy Spirit helps me to understand and apply it to my life. Of course, I always need my Christian brothers and sisters to help me discern the leading of the Spirit so that I don’t deceive myself into thinking that the Spirit wants what I selfishly want. Even the Scripture reminds us that we need to “test the spirits” to make sure we’re following the Spirit of God (1 John 4:1).

Again, this is not to imply that this is exactly what the author of the book “The Power to Be Free” is saying. If you haven’t already done so, buy a copy and read it to see what you think Frank Moore is saying. Also, take some time to pray that God will show you the meaning of these passages from the Bible.

I tried the link you listed above, but because it took me so long to review your response the link was no longer valid.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

Bill

The response was helpful, however I am still struggling with your position that the Spirit guides us into all truth. This I would say was fulfilled in the first century with the Apostle’s infallible and inerrant writings now recorded in Scripture.

Can we really claim that the Spirit does this for ordinary believers?

As it relates to the word inspire, I am thinking of 2 Tim 3:16.

What would you say to this:

http://msamudio.wordpress.com/how-has-god-the-son-explained-the-father-john-118-sneak-peak/

Mike

Thanks for the question. Again, remember that I am presenting a summary of what is found in the book, The Power to Be Free, but I can’t claim to speak for the author, Frank Moore. I would encourage you to buy the book to get a fuller explanation.

But what I believe that he is saying is that when you read the Bible, the Spirit gives life (that’s the root meaning of the word “inspire” – “to breathe life into”) to the words we read. The Spirit’s task is to remind us of what Jesus has already said (John 14:26). John 16:13 also says that the Spirit “will not speak on his own.” His role is to reinforce what Jesus has already said and to guide us in living out His instructions (John 16:13).

Dr. Moore is not saying that we will write new Scriptures or reveal new doctrines that are not already in the Bible. So, no, I am not saying that the Holy Spirit inspires me in the same way as He inspired the Apostles. But He does live with us and in us (John 14:17) and guides us into all truth (John 16:13) which means pointing us back to Jesus, “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

Great question! Let me know if this (necessarily incomplete) answer prompts more questions!

John 16:13 reads, “13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Jesus is telling his apostles about the ministry of the Holy Spirit that will take place after Jesus returns to the Father. In verses 8-11, Jesus talks about the ministry the Holy Spirit will have even in the lives of those who are not yet believers, so obviously, the Holy Spirit’s ministry was not limited to just the first followers of Jesus.

Why would the Apostle John record this saying of Jesus to share with other believers if he knew it wasn’t applicable for them?