Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 01:3 (Winter 1995)
Article: The Convicting Ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11)
Author: Tod Kennedy

CTSJ 1:3 (Winter 1995) p. 8

The Convicting
Ministry of the Holy Spirit
(John 16:8-11)

Tod Kennedy*

[*Editor's note: Tod Kennedy received a B.A. from Washington State University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.V.M. from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University. He is the pastor of Spokane Bible Church (Washington) and on the Board of Advisors of Chafer Theological Seminary.]

The Context and History

The overall context of John’s gospel has four major sections. John 1–12 presents the public ministry of Christ. John 13–17 covers the private ministry with His disciples before the cross, including the upper room meeting and Gethsemane. John 18–19 presents the Cross. Finally, John 20–21 covers Christ’s resurrection and the post-resurrection ministry.

John 13–16, a part of the private ministry, reveals Christ preparing his disciples for the cross and thereafter. He will leave them on earth in Satan’s world system. They are to minister in enemy territory. Christ will also send the Holy Spirit to help them and teach them. The Spirit will also carry on a ministry to the world--to unbelievers.

This latter ministry is very necessary due to the nature of God, His plan, and the hostility of Satan and the world-system to Christ and His followers (John 17:14–15; 2 Corinthians 4:3–4). John 16 teaches that when Christ leaves earth for heaven He will send the Holy Spirit to take His place. Jesus summarizes the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the world of unbelievers in John 16:8–11, then the Holy Spirit’s ministry to His disciples and all other believers in John 16:12–15. The passage under study specifically teaches the ministry of the Holy Spirit to the “world,” unbelieving mankind.

Textual Examination

The two main Greek texts (Nestle-Aland’s 26th edition and the United Bible Society³) are the same. Nestle lists one variant, “my” in verse 10. The Majority Text agrees with these two texts, except that it includes the “my” in verse 10. The variant does not affect this study.

Grammatical and Syntactical Analysis