The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 277

Von;. 26, 27.-Witne.5s, Divim and human. The work of God in the world eo f&r as it is spiritual, is effected by huma.n agency, Upon man's heart the Authdr of life and salvation \ll'orks by means of truth a.ud love, embodied in human lanaunge 0 and human actions. The W-0rd, in acting as "the faithful and true Witness," " became . fi~h." And in this dispensation, whilst Christ is the Saviour and the Lord of men Christ is revealed by the Spirit to human hearts, and itis through human agency, thu~ called into action, that the kingdom of God is advanced, and the gracious purposes of God fulfilled. I. THE mn"Ess OF THE SPmIT OF Goo TO CHRIST. 1. This is a. Witness Divine in origin and nature. He proceedeth from the Father, and all his acts and operations are Divine. 2. This is a Witness possessing the very highest qual.ifications. This appears even from the appellations by which he is here mentioned: "The Spirit of truth," whose speci&l office it is to make the Word of God, the gospel of salvation, real, living, and powerful over the nature of man ; " the Comforter," or Advocate, who comes to the feeble and helpless disciple of Christ, aud pours into him celestial strength and wisdom. 3. This is a Witness commissioned by Christ to testify of him1:1elf. •• What authority does the Lord Jesus claim, when he says, " 'Whom I will send unto you ; " and how distinct is the declaration of the purpose of his mission _in the promise, "He shall testify of me" I • lL THE WITNESS TO CHRIST BORNE BY HIS OWN DISCIPLES. 1. Their qualifications. (1) They were oompet.ent witnesses to Christ., for they had for years been in his society- were, in fact, his closest companions. (2) They were effective witnesses, for they were in sympathy with him to whom they bore t.estimony. His spirit had entered into them; they were penetrated with his ardent compassion for sinners; they partook hie disposition of unsel.6.shneSB and consecration. (3) They were copious witnesses; for, on account of their opportunities of beholding their Master's works, and Ustening to his discourses and conversations, they had much to tell of what their eyes· had seen, their ears heard, their hands handled, of the Word of Life. 2. The method of their testimony. 'l'he apostles and other disciples of Jesus bore witness to him: (1) By the unoonscious, unuttered language of charact.er, principles, and life. By reason of their participation in their :Master's spirit, men " took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus." (2) By their preaching and teaching, Their witness was by the liviug voice, to Jew and Gentile. Christianity was a religion, as it still remains, marked by this peculiarity; it is promulgated by the utterance of those who themselve11 are convinced of it& Divine authority and its adaptation to the needs of men. (3) By written record. It was in fulfilment of this promise, which was also a command, that the evangelists and apostles wrote those treatises which remain to this day the memorials of our Saviour's humiliation and glory, and the inspired application of Christian facts and doctrines to the necessities of human life. In fact, the whole of the New Testament is an act of obedience to this authoritative direction of the Master, "Ye shall hear witness.• 3. The matter of their testimony. Chiefly, if not exclusively, their witness was to relate to Christ himself. 'l'his was an appointment of Divine wisdom ; for the Lord Jesus was incarnate Wisdom, Truth, Pity, and Benevolence, It has ever been found in human experience that those who have received the inspired witness to Immanuel, have received with him all the spiritual and immortal blessings which God made him the Medium of carrying to human souls. APPLICATION. The Holy Spirit is still witnessini,: in the Ohurch to him who is it, on, xv. 1-27.J 'fHE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 287