What Are We Repeating?
Introduction
The Greek word Parakletos means an intercessor or consoler. In KJV the words advocate and comforter are used. These words are used to describe Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus functions as an intercessor at the right hand of the Father and the Holy Spirit dwells with us comforting us with the Words of Jesus. Each one is an active part of the God-head. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three in one working together to bring God’s will in the earth.
Parakletos also reminds me of the word parakeet which is a bird that is known for repeating what it hears. These birds do not make up their own words, but they say what is heard around them. These animals learn to talk by developing a relationship with their owners. The more time that is spent together with focused training the more likely that the bird will talk.
As children of God we are to repeat what the Father says just as a young child repeats what their parents say. A toddler builds their vocabulary mostly by repeating what they hear. The more we hear what God speaks then the more likely that we will say His words.
This article will discuss the parakletos and how they repeat what they hear. It will then go into how we are to repeat what God says to others.
Jesus – the Intercessor
1 John 2:1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
The word advocate comes from parakletos. An advocate is someone who intercedes or stands in the gap for others. They bring another person’s needs before someone of higher authority. This is what Jesus does for us. He sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us repeating our request.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Jesus evens prays for us when we do not know how to pray. He knows the perfect will of God and intercedes that the Father’s heart would be performed in our lives.
Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
Jesus’ intercession is what causes complete salvation in every area of our lives. This salvation includes forgiveness of sins, healing, deliverance and protection.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Jesus is a mediator between God and man. A mediator is someone who works between two parties to bring a peaceful solution for everyone involved. Jesus brings the Father’s heart to us only speaking His words to us (John 8:28, John 12:49-50, John 14:10). As an intercessor Jesus shares our desires with the Father God.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
The Holy Spirit – the Comforter
The Holy Spirit is part of the paraklete that is known as the Comforter. He was sent by Jesus to be with us and to comfort us with His words. The job of the Holy Spirit is an extension of what Jesus did on the earth.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Holy Spirit is a teacher and reminds us of what Jesus has said. He brings the Word of God to our remembrance.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] 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.
John 15:26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7 ¶ 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.
There are other verses about the Holy Spirit that confirm that He is a teacher who does not speak His own words. Jesus made it clear that the Holy Spirit (also known as the Spirit of truth) only repeats what is heard from heaven.
John 16:13 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.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
In the following verse the anointing refers to the Holy Spirit. It confirms that He is a teacher of truth and abides with us. We know that Jesus is truth.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
It’s Out Turn
We have established that Jesus intercedes on our behalf, and that the Holy Spirit tells us what Jesus says. They are the paraklete that advocate for us and communicate to us. The next question is what we should do with what we have received.
The answer is that we are to continue their work in the earth. We are to intercede on the behalf of others and we are to bring comfort to people by repeating the Holy Spirit’s words to them. The following verses commission us to continue the works of Jesus.
John 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Bible also tells us that we should comfort others with the same comfort that we have received. We know that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter so we are to extend His comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3 ¶ Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
We are intercessors
Jesus is the chief intercessor at the right hand of God. The Bible says that we are seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). It also teaches us that we should pray for others.
1 Timothy 2:1 ¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
We are to Speak His Words
One of the primary jobs of the Holy Spirit as the comforter is to repeat the words of Jesus and to remind us of them. We are to do the same things to others. Our words are to exhort and encourage people around us.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].
Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.