The Mahdi Times August 2011 | Page 48

Is the Comforter a man or an Absolute Spirit? by Labbayk Ahmed In today's society, the majority of Christians believe that the Comforter is an Absolute Spirit, thus implying that he is the Holy Spirit and one of the Persons of the Trinity. However, there is sufficient evidence to argue that Jesus Christ spoke of the human characteristics of the Comforter which cannot be applied to an Absolute Spirit. Jesus said: "But now I go unto him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 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 go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged". John: Chapter 16. We can see from this that Jesus clarified, the Comforter is a messenger sent from him to all the people and that he will convict the world in respect of sins, for denying and killing Prophets and Messengers, for abandoning the rights of the Prophets and their executors, losing their fortune in the minor judgment, and for letting down the chief of this world; Imam Al Mahdi (a.s.) Jesus also said "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, `these' shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare `it' unto you." John: Chapter 16. The Christians argue, that the Comforter is the Holy Spirit and one of the Persons of the Trinity, then we ask, why does he speak with what he hears and does not follow his desires, but "he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, `these' shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come." of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Hearing, speaking, declaring, convicting, etc. are all human actions that can’t be applied to an Absolute Spirit; thus it clearly indicates that a man will be sent by Jesus in the End Times to teach them things that the apostles could not bear at the time of Jesus. Jesus said: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." Book of John 14:14-16 Jesus said: "But the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence." Book of John, Chapter 14, Verses 26-31 It’s believed that the Comforter is the Holy Spirit; while there is no wrong in saying that he is the Holy Spirit by means of a man filled with the Holy Spirit the way Jesus Christ was filled with it. However, i