3.5.4.2 The Spirit of truth

Jesus Christ also described the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of truth" (John 15: 26). This Spirit makes clear what is pleasing to God and what is contrary to His will: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement" (John 16: 8). The Holy Spirit clearly distinguishes between truth and falsehood (Acts 13: 9-10).

During His activity on earth, the Lord did not provide exhaustive explanations concerning all truth and the course of the history of salvation, but referred to the future revelations of the Holy Spirit: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever he hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16: 12-13). It is also in this manner that the Holy Spirit works in the present (see 1.3).

Everything the Spirit of truth reveals is closely linked to Christ's nature and work. Thus He testifies of the sovereignty of the Son of God (1 Corinthians 12: 3). He professes that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4: 2), and imparts the knowledge that He has come as the Son of the Father, and will come again.