The Holy Spirit is the one who comforts, advises and strengthens Christians, drawing them closer to Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit is Counsellor in addition to Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is a Counsellor
1 John 2:1 One Greek word “Parakletos” underlies this phrase which is primarily a legal term. It can also bear the meaning “comforter”.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
The Spirit is another Counsellor
John 14:16–17 The word “another” means “another of the same kind”. After the ascension, the Spirit is to assume the ministry of Jesus Christ.
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
The Counsellor is the gift of the exalted Christ
John 16:7 See also John 7:38–39; Acts 2:33
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
The Counsellor comforts and reassures believers
John 14:16–18; Acts 11:12 Peter is reassured about going to the house of Cornelius; Romans 8:16 Believers are reassured that they are God's children.
The Counsellor strengthens and equips the church
Ephesians 3:16 See also Acts 4:31 The Jerusalem church is strengthened in the face of opposition; Acts 9:31 the church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria; Romans 8:26
I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
The Counsellor teaches and instructs believers
The Spirit reminds the disciples of Jesus Christ's teaching
John 14:26 See also John 16:14; 1 John 5:6–8
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
The Spirit teaches the church further truth
John 16:13 See also 1 Corinthians 2:9–10; 1 John 2:27
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
The Counsellor helps the church in its mission
The Spirit testifies to Jesus Christ and helps the church to do likewise
John 15:26–27 See also Acts 1:8
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father — the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father — He will testify about Me. And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.[’’]
The Spirit convicts the unbelieving world
John 16:8–11; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25
Examples of the Spirit's help in witness and mission
Acts 4:8 Peter before the Sanhedrin; 1 Corinthians 2:3–4 Paul in Corinth; 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
The Counsellor draws believers closer to Jesus Christ
Ephesians 3:16–17 See also John 14:23; Romans 8:9–11
I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.