Pentecost, the Spirit, and the Call to Unity in an Imperfect Church

 

S: John 16:12-15

¹² “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the 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. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

O: Some Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians claim this means that Spirit-filled believers will be guided into all truth—but that claim is difficult to accept at face value because even Spirit-filled Christians disagree, make mistakes, and sometimes give false prophecies.

Some Cessationists say this promise was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit guided the Church to produce the New Testament canon, after which miraculous gifts ceased. But miracles and spiritual gifts continue to be reported around the world, so this view also raises questions.

The Orthodox Church teaches that this promise is fulfilled when bishops gather in Ecumenical Councils, where the Spirit protects the Church from teaching doctrinal error. The Catholic Church agrees but adds that the Pope is protected from doctrinal error in his official ex cathedra teachings.

The key point is: Jesus’ promise of the Spirit at Pentecost did come true. So the real question is: what exactly did Jesus mean when He said the Spirit would guide them into all the truth?

Looking at the context, Jesus is speaking to His closest disciples, knowing that they cannot yet fully grasp the meaning of His death, resurrection, and the new Kingdom reality. Perhaps the “much more to say” refers to truths that would only be fully revealed through His death, resurrection, and the coming of the Spirit—truths they weren’t ready to bear at that moment.

Today, despite many doctrinal differences, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Cessationists, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians all agree on the central truths:

• That Jesus is the Son of God,
• That He died for our sins,
• That He rose from the dead,
• That He ascended to heaven,
• That the Holy Spirit has been given to guide and empower us,
• And that new life is found in Christ

A: While Christians disagree about secondary issues, we can agree on the core truth of the Gospel—Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Saviour. So while it’s fine to discuss differences, let’s do it with humility, respect, and brotherly love, avoiding name-calling and harsh judgment.

P: Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to save us. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Help me to walk daily by the Spirit, to take up my cross, and to follow Jesus with faith and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Note: I used ChatGPT to help me rephrase my ideas better.