The Gospel of John is full of penetratingly insightful material to help us form a robust and exciting Pneumatology! I’m surprised so many Christian pastors and scholars overlook how deeply John writes about the work of the Spirit. In fact, the past 20 years of Johannine scholarship has provided some remarkable insight into John’s understanding of the Holy Spirit and His work for those interested in developing a strong biblical understanding.

From the beginning of the Gospel to its end, we find such in depth perspective on the person of the Holy Spirit. John writes of Jesus’ baptism and how the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (John 1:32-33). Later, John records Jesus’ words to Nicodemus – “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Still further Jesus is quoted as saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit…” (John 7:37-39). John also makes sure to note that Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure by promising them that they would have the Spirit (cf. John 14:26; 16:7-15). Make no mistake, John’s gospel is a great place to study the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

One aspect of the Spirit’s work that I sense is often overlooked, or outright ignored, is the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. If we rightly understand the biblical doctrine of the Triune God, than we understand that the Holy Spirit is a unique person. As a person, the Holy Spirit has a will and carries out that will for the glory of God. As God, the Holy Spirit does not “obey” our commands, so we should avoid commanding Him to carry out our desires. Ask, yes. Command, no.

When we do ask, we need to recall that the Holy Spirit’s will is not the same as ours, which is why we ask and do not command. We do not “release” the Spirit when we so desire; we ask the Holy Spirit to come and do His work. We do not command the Holy Spirit to carry out our own plans and desires; we ask Him to empower us and equip us for the gospel and the glory of God. I find a radically different understanding of the Holy Spirit in these two approaches. Plus, it seems to ignore what Jesus taught concerning the Spirit when He said,

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8

The Holy Spirit works apart from our goals and desires if our goals and desires do not line up with the Father’s goals and desires. First and foremost, the Holy Spirit is God-centered! His will is to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus and to empower, equip, and sanctify followers of Jesus (cf. Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 6:11)! Paul, writing of the Holy Spirit’s empowering of believers with gifts, made mention of this unique will of the Spirit. After mentioning the gift of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, prophecy, etc., Paul stated,

“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” – 1 Cor. 12:11

The sovereignty of the Spirit. He regenerates people to receive the gospel as He wills and He empowers believers with gifts also as He wills.

Come Holy Spirit!