15:26
This verse has caused enormous problems in church history, being the reason for the Orthodox church splitting from the Roman Catholic church in what became known as the Great Schism in 1054. This wasn’t the only issue. It was essentially a split between east and west and political factors were probably at the root of it, along with disputes over papal authority. However, the “filoque clause” was the key doctrinal issue, and this is about whether the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, or the Father and Son. No, I don’t quite see why it merited splitting over, but there you go, such is church history.
What is clear is that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all in it together. They are also distinct. The key role of the Spirit mentioned here is testifying about the Son. He is the Spirit of truth and Jesus is the truth.
15:27
We also must testify. Now this verse refers directly to the original disciples, for of no one else can it be said “you have been with me from the beginning”. However, it can be applied much more widely. We are all to testify. Now, if God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is going to testify one might ask why we need to testify? If God is going to do it why are we needed? There is an important theological truth here. God works together with man. Moreover, just because it states somewhere that God does something, it does not mean that we do not have our part to play as well.
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