Dr Paul Allen

“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 ) The privilege of declaring the gospel to the unsaved becomes a delightful use of the “power of God ” ( Romans 1:16 ), speaking the words of God to a heart that has been prepared by the trifold ministry of the Holy Spirit , who will “reprove the world” ( John 16:8 ) of the following things. “Of sin because they believe not on me” (v. 9). All sin of every person has been forgiven ( 1 John 2:2 ). The only sin that irrevocably condemns is unbelief ( John 3:19 ), or more accurately stated, conscious rebellion against the ministry of the Holy Spirit as He convinces men of their need for salvation through Christ . Rejecting that message is “blasphemy” and is unforgivable ( Matthew 12:31 ). “Of righteousness , because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more”( John 16:10 ). Now that the Lord Je...

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Photo credit: Lawrence OP ) “ The Comforter , which is the Holy Ghost.” John 14:26 ( KJV ) This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit , in which Jesus cheers us, not by his personal presence, as he shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is his office to console the hearts of God ’s people. He convinces of sin; he illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of his work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ’s name and grace. He takes not of his own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spi...

Icon of the Pentecost (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) There is still another vital aspect to the "why" of Jesus' departure. He said, "If I do not go away, the Helper ( Paraclete ) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Jesus' departure was tied to Pentecost . There is no Pentecost without ascension. As the invested King of kings , Jesus had the authority together with the Father to send His Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way upon the church. Jesus spoke of a certain necessity of His leaving in order Receiving Joy and Strength There is still another vital aspect to the "why" of Jesus' departure. He said, "If I do not go away, the Helper (Paraclete) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Jesus' departure was tied to Pentecost. There is no Pentecost without ascension. As the invested King of kings, Jesus had the authority together with the Father to send His Holy Spirit in a new ...

Icon of the Pentecost (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) There is still another vital aspect to the "why" of Jesus' departure. He said, "If I do not go away, the Helper ( Paraclete ) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Jesus' departure was tied to Pentecost . There is no Pentecost without ascension. As the invested King of kings , Jesus had the authority together with the Father to send His Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way upon the church. Jesus spoke of a certain necessity of His leaving in order for the Spirit to come. Herein was another great advantage. He declared, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you" ( Acts 1:8, KJV ). Two remarkable things happened to the disciples after Jesus departed. The first is that they "returned to Jerusalem with great joy" (Luke 24:52). They were not despondent over the departure of Jesus. Obviously they finally understood why He was leaving. Th...

Image via Wikipedia There is still another vital aspect to the "why" of Jesus' departure. He said, "If I do not go away, the Helper ( Paraclete ) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." Jesus' departure was tied to Pentecost . There is no Pentecost without ascension. As the invested King of kings , Jesus had the authority together with the Father to send His Holy Spirit in a new and powerful way upon the church.  Jesus spoke of a certain necessity of His leaving in order for the Spirit to come. Herein was another great advantage. He declared, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you" ( Acts 1:8, KJV ). Two remarkable things happened to the disciples after Jesus departed. The first is that they "returned to Jerusalem with great joy" (Luke 24:52). They were not despondent over the departure of Jesus. Obviously they finally understood why He was leaving. They understood what, for...