Johani 16 - KBTP & KJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the Christian faith, yet many believers struggle to understand who He truly is and what role He plays in their lives. In this article, we will explore the identity of the Holy Spirit using seven powerful Bible verses to help deepen our understanding.

1. The Holy Spirit as Comforter and Advocate

John 14:16-17 (RSV) – “And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.”

Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come as an Advocate—someone who stands by us, guiding and comforting. The Holy Spirit is not just a distant force but a constant presence who supports and defends believers.

2. The Spirit of Truth

John 16:13 (RSV) – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of Truth because He leads us into a deeper understanding of God’s Word and His will. This guiding role helps believers discern right from wrong and stay aligned with God’s purposes.

3. The Giver of Power

Acts 1:8 (RSV) – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

One of the most significant roles of the Holy Spirit is empowering believers to be witnesses for Christ. Through His power, we are not only transformed internally but also equipped to spread the message of the Gospel with boldness.

4. The Divine Teacher

John 14:26 (RSV) – “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, helping us understand and remember the teachings of Jesus. This guidance is essential as we grow in faith and navigate life’s challenges.

5. The Spirit Who Gives Life

Romans 8:11 (RSV) – “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.”

The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in believers, breathing life into our mortal bodies. This resurrection power not only brings physical renewal but also spiritual vitality.

6. The Seal of Belonging

Ephesians 1:13 (RSV) – “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit marks us as belonging to God. This seal is a guarantee of our inheritance in Christ and serves as a constant reminder that we are His.

7. The Spirit Who Unites

1 Corinthians 12:13 (RSV) – “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit unites believers into one body, transcending racial, social, and cultural differences. Through the Spirit, we become one in Christ, fostering unity within the church.

Embracing the Holy Spirit

Understanding who the Holy Spirit is transforms how we live out our faith. He is not just a divine presence but a Comforter, Advocate, Teacher, and Source of power and unity. As we walk with Him daily, we experience His guidance and embrace the life He offers.

May we continually seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, allowing His influence to shape every aspect of our lives.

Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

After the trauma of the crucifixion, the disciples were locked away, afraid, confused, and uncertain about what the future held. But on the evening of that first Easter Sunday, everything changed when Jesus stood among them and said:

“Peace be with you!” — John 20:19 (NIV)

These words were more than a greeting. They were a divine declaration: peace had triumphed over fear, and life had conquered death.

1. Peace That Calms Fear

The disciples were hiding behind locked doors, fearing for their lives. But the presence of Jesus shattered their fear.

“Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” — John 20:20 (NIV)

The Resurrection reminds us that no matter what we face—uncertainty, loss, danger—Jesus brings peace that surpasses our fear.

2. Peace That Comes from Reconciliation

The cross was not just about suffering; it was about reconciling humanity with God. Jesus’ resurrection is the seal of that reconciliation.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 (NIV)

We are no longer enemies of God. We are at peace with Him—fully forgiven and fully accepted.

3. Peace That Dwells Within

Jesus promised a peace that’s not dependent on circumstances but rooted in Him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27 (NIV)

This was a promise He fulfilled after rising from the grave. His peace becomes a permanent presence in our hearts.

4. Peace That Guards Our Minds

We are often bombarded with anxious thoughts. But resurrection peace acts like a shield.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

God’s peace doesn’t always change our situation, but it changes us in the midst of it.

5. Peace That Leads to Purpose

In John 20:21, Jesus repeats, “Peace be with you!” and then says:

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Peace isn’t just for comfort—it’s preparation for mission. We are sent out as ambassadors of this peace to a world that desperately needs it.

6. Peace Through the Holy Spirit

Jesus breathed on them and said:

“Receive the Holy Spirit.” — John 20:22 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit becomes the continual source of peace, power, and presence in our lives. It is the Spirit that produces peace as fruit within us:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

7. Peace in a Troubled World

We live in a world that is anything but peaceful. But the resurrection gives us hope beyond this life.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)

The risen Christ gives us a durable peace—one that holds even in chaos, grief, or conflict.

Final Thoughts

Jesus didn’t wait for perfect conditions to bring peace. He entered a locked room, full of fear, and filled it with His presence. Today, He still does the same.

Resurrection peace is not passive, it’s powerful, purposeful, and personal.

Will you let His peace rule in your heart today?

He canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 214 (GNT)

Easter is a time of deep reflection and celebration. It reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and the incredible gift of salvation we have through His death and resurrection. The cross is more than a symbol—it is the turning point of history, where love overcame sin and life triumphed over death. Let’s explore seven key Bible verses that reveal the power and meaning of the cross.

1. The Cross Shows God’s Love

“But God has shown us how much he loves us—it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us!” – Romans 5:8 (GNT)

The cross is the greatest proof of God’s love. Jesus didn’t wait for us to be perfect; He gave His life while we were still lost in sin. His love is unconditional, reaching out to everyone, no matter their past.

2. The Cross Brings Forgiveness

“He canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14 (GNT)

Because of Jesus, our sins are wiped clean. The cross is where our burdens are lifted, where guilt is removed, and where we receive complete forgiveness. No sin is too great for God’s mercy!

3. The Cross Brings Peace

“And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.” – Colossians 1:20 (GNT)

Sin separated us from God, but the cross restored our relationship with Him. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer enemies of God but His beloved children.

4. The Cross Gives Us New Life

“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT)

The cross is not the end—it is the beginning of new life. Jesus’ death and resurrection open the door for us to be transformed, leaving behind our past and stepping into a new identity in Christ.

5. The Cross Gives Us Victory

“And on the cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession.” – Colossians 2:15 (GNT)

What seemed like a defeat was actually a victory! On the cross, Jesus overcame sin, death, and the powers of darkness. Because of Him, we can walk in freedom, knowing that no force of evil can separate us from God.

6. The Cross is a Call to Follow

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24 (GNT)

Jesus invites us to take up our cross—not to suffer as He did, but to surrender fully to God’s will. True discipleship means letting go of selfish desires and living a life that honors Him.

7. The Cross Gives Us Eternal Life

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (GNT)

The cross is the bridge to eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice was not just for this world, but for eternity. Through Him, we have the promise of life that never ends—a life in the presence of God forever.

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of the Cross

As we celebrate Easter, let’s not just remember the cross—let’s live in the power of what Jesus accomplished. The cross brings love, forgiveness, peace, new life, victory, and the hope of eternity.

This Easter, may we draw closer to Christ, embracing the fullness of His sacrifice and the joy of His resurrection. He is risen! Hallelujah!

1 “Ndamubudza kose ikoku kuti musilashike. 2 Banowomutata mu ng'umba dze mitembezelo. Nge malebeswa tjibaka tjozha tje kuti mmwe ne mmwe unomubulaya unowokumbula kuti nge kuthama eijalo, ndiko ha eshingila Ndzimu. 3 Banowothama mishingo yakajalo, ngobe abazoziba Tate kene imi. 4 Ndamubudza ikoko kuti ndizo tjibaka tjiti tjizha muzibe kuti ndakamubudza kutjikale.

Nshingo we Meya yakayengemala

“Andizomubudza ikoku mu kutangisa, ngobe ndakabe ndi namwi. 5 Ngwenu ndoyenda kuna iye wakandituma, ngono akuna iye wenyu unondibhuzwa eti, ‘Moyenda ngayi?’ 6 Ngekuti ndamubudza zwithu izwezwi mazhala buyendasi. 7 Koga ndolebesa tjose nditi kumuli, kuyenda kwangu kowobe ne mbuzilo mu muli. Ha ndisayenda, Mbhatshi atowozha kumuli, koga ha ndiyenda, ndowontumila kumuli. 8 Ha ezha, unowolakidza shango kuti yagala ihwila ntome ngekwe tjibi ne ndulamo nenge kusumikilisa; 9 ngekwe tjibi, ngekuti bathu abatogalamoyo mundili, 10 ne ngekwe ndulamo, ngekuti ndoyenda kuna Tate, ngono amutjawondibona, 11 ngekwe kusumikilisa, ngekuti mbusi we shango ino wakasumikilisiwa kale.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? Discover Your Advocate, Teacher, and Faithful Friend in Christian Life

12 “Nditjina zwithu zwinjinji zwanditjawomubudza, koga amungatubule kuzwihwilila. 13 Kowoti Meya ye lebeswa izha, inowomutungamila mu malebeswa wose. Aitowozwilebelekegwa, koga inowomubudza tjainobe ihwa kakale inowomubudza nenge zwitjawozha. 14 Inowondikudza, ngobe inowotola tjandinoipa ikamuzibisa itjo. 15 Kose kwa Tate nge kwangu, ndizo nditi Meya inowotola tjandinoipa ikamuzibisa itjo.

Gwadziwa kowobe shatho

16 “Mu tjibaka tjifupi amutowondibona kakale. Ngono shule kwe tjibaka tjifupi mowondibona kakale.”

17 Bamwe be badiyiwa babe bakabhuzwana beti, “Unodwani ha eti, ‘Mu tjibaka tjifupi amutowondibona, koga shule kwe tjibaka tjifupi mowondibona kakale,’ ne kuti, ‘Ndoyenda kuna Tate?’ ” 18 Bakadwilila bakati, “Apa unodwani ha eti, ‘Tjibaka tjifupi?’ Atitohwisisa tjaanoleba.”

19 Jesu kabona kuti banoshaka ku mbhuzwa ngekwa ikoku ngono kati ku bali, “Apa mobhuzwana kene kuti ndabe ndidwani ha nditi, ‘Shule kwe tjibaka tjifupi amutowondibona, koga mu tjibaka tjifupi mowondibona kakale kene?’ 20 Ndolebesa tjose ndoti kumuli, mowolila mukamimila koga shango iyo inowobe yakashatha. Mowobe mu buyendasi, koga buyendasi gwenyu gowoshanduka gukabe kushatha. 21 Nkadzi ha etshibama unobe mu zwibhayo, ngobe tjibaka tjitje tjazha, koga ha mwana uwe atjizwagwa unokangang'wa gwadziwa kukwe, ngobe mwana wazwagwa mu shango. 22 Namwibo ngwenu mogwadziwa, koga ndowomubona kakale, ngono mowoshatha mu mimoyo yenyu. Kushatha kwamusingake mukakutolegwa nge nthu.

23 “Mu zhuba ilelo amutowondikumbila tjimwe. Ndolebesa tjose ndoti kumuli, Tate banowomupa tjimwe ne tjimwe tjamunokumbila nge zina langu. 24 Kuswikila ngwenu amuna tjamakakumbila nge zina langu, kumbilani ngono mowopiwa, kuti ndizo mushathe nge buzhalo.

Kukunda shango

25 “Nenguba ndabe ndilebeleka ndipesa, tjibaka tjowozha tjandinowolebeleka ngekwa Tate ndisingapese. 26 Mu zhuba ilelo mowokumbila ku bali nge zina langu. Anditoti ndowomukumbilila kuna Tate. 27 Tate banomuda, ngobe makandida mukagalamoyo kuti ndakadwa ku Ndzimu. 28 Ndakadwa kuna Tate, azha mu shango, ngono ndosiya shango, kakale ndobgwilila kuna Tate.”

29 Ipapo badiyiwa ba Jesu bakati, “Ngwenu molebeleka mutjenesa, amutjapesa. 30 Ngwenu tobona kuti moziba zwithu zose kakale akutjasheteka kuti kube kutjina unomubhuzwa. Oku kotithama kuti tigalemoyo kuti makadwa ku Ndzimu.”

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Ultimately, we live with the hope that one day there will be no more pain, no more crying. One day we will be with Jesus in the new Jerusalem. There is an end to pain, hurting, suffering. But there is no end to God’s love and grace

31 Jesu kati, “Apa ngwenu mogalamoyo kene? 32 Tjibaka tjozha, nge malebeswa tjibaka tjazha tjamunowopalalana mmwe ne mmwe kayenda kanyi kukwe. Mowondisiya ndili ndoga. Koga ndowobe ndisi ndoga, ngobe Tate banami. 33 Ndamubudza zwithu izwezwi kuti ndizo muwane kunyalala mundili. Ngono mu shango ino mowogwadzisiwa. Koga simanimoyo. Ndakakunda shango!”

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.