s Islam's photo.
WHAT HOLY SPIRIT MEANS IN THE BIBLE?
With the new change in spirit, the verse under scrutiny will read:
But the Comforter, Which is The Holy Spirit, 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. (Emphasis added).
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14: 26
You do not have to be a Bible scholar of any calibre to sense that the expression "which is the Holy Spirit" is actually an interpolation. It ought to be in parenthesis, in brackets, like my words which have been interpolated in the quotation, i.e. "(emphasis added)." Although the editors of the RSV have expunged dozens of interpolations from their boasted Revised Standard Version, they have retained this jarring phrase which contradicts other explicit predictions of Jesus (pbuh) on the subject of the Comforter itself.
"HOLY SPIRIT" IS HOLY PROPHET
(i) It may be noted that no Biblical scholar of any standing has ever equated the "paracletos" of John in the original Greek with the Holy Ghost. Now we can say with one breath that if the Comforter is the "Holy Spirit" then that Holy Spirit is the Holy Prophet!
As Muslims we acknowledge that every true prophet of God is Holy and without sin. But whenever the expression "The Holy Prophet" is used among Muslims it is universally accepted as referring to the Holy Prophet Muhummed (pbuh). So even if we accept the above incongruous saying — "the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit," as Gospel truth, even then this prophecy will fit Muhummed (pbuh) like a glove, without any stretching of its meaning.
The same John, who is supposed to have authored the Gospel bearing his name, also penned three more Epistles which are also part of the Christian Bible. Amazingly he has used the same terminology of "Holy Spirit" for "Holy Prophet."
Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they
are of God; because many false Prophets are gone out into the World.
(HOLY BIBLE) 1 John 4: 1
You can observe that the word spirit is used here synonymously with a prophet. A true spirit is a true prophet, and a false spirit is a false prophet But for the so-called "born-again" Christians who see only with eyes of emotion, I recommend that they lay their hands on C.I. Scofield's Authorized King lames Version of the Bible who with an Editorial Committee of 9 D.D.’s adding their notes and comments. When they come to the First word "spirit" in the above verse they should give a notation to compare it with Matthew 7: 15 which confirms that false prophets are false spirits. So according to St. John the Holy Spirit is the Holy Prophet, and the Holy Prophet is Muhummed (pbuh) the Messenger of God.
A VALID TEST
But St. John does not leave us in the air, guessing the true from the false. He gives us an acid test for recognising the true Prophet, he says —
Hereby know ye the Spirit 1 of God: Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
(HOLY BIBLE) 1 John 4: 2
According to John's own interpretation in verse one above the word "spirit" is synonymous with the word prophet So verse two "Spirit of God" would mean Prophet of God and "Every spirit" would stand for every Prophet You have a right to know as to what the Holy Prophet Muhummed (pbuh) says about "Jesus Christ." 2
1. For SPIRIT, read PROPHET
Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) is spoken by name no less than 25 times in the Holy Qur'an. He is honoured as —
Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, the son of Mary)
An-nabi (The Prophet)
As-saaliheen (The Righteous)
Kalimatu'Llah (Word of God)
Ruhu-Llah (Spirit of God)
Masih-uLlah (Christ of God)
Behold the angels said: "O Mary! God giveth thee Glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held In honour in this world and The Hereafter and of (the Company of) those nearest to God- (surah al-i-'imran) Holy Qur’ân 3:45
MUHUMMED (PBUH) IS THE "OTHER"
(ii) The Comforter in John 14: 26 can never be the "Holy Ghost" because Jesus (pbuh) had already explained— And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you Another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14: 16
The emphasis here is on the word "ANOTHER," an other, a different one, an additional one, but of the same kind, yet distinctly different from the first. Who is then the first Comforter? The Christian world is unanimous that in this case the speaker himself — Jesus Christ (pbuh) is the first Comforter; then the other, the one to follow must be of like nature, subject to the same conditions of hunger, thirst, fatigue, sorrow and death.
But this promised Comforter was to "abide with you for EVER!" No one lives for even Jesus (pbuh) was mortal so must the coming Comforter also be mortal. No son of man can ever be immortal!
Every soul shall have a taste of death.
(SURAAL-I-IMRAN) Holy Qur’ân 3:185
ALIVE IN THEIR TEACHINGS
The soul does not really die, but when it separates from the body at the time of the death of the body, the soul will get a taste of death. But our Comforter was to "ABIDE" continue, endure for ever. All Comforters abide with us for ever. Moses is here with us today in his teachings. Jesus is here with us today in his teachings and Muhummed also is here with us in his teachings today. (May the peace and blessings of God be upon them all). This is not my novel idea trying to justify the preposterous. I say this with conviction and on the authority of Jesus Christ (pbuh) himself.
In Luke, chapter sixteen, Jesus (pbuh) tells us the story of the "Rich Man, Poor Man.' At death both find themselves at opposite ends — one in Heaven and the other in Hell. The rich man (Dives) simmering in Hell cries to Father Abraham to send the beggar (Lazarus) to assuage his thirst. But when every plea fails, he, as a last favour, requests that Father Abraham send the beggar back to earth to warn his living brothers against their impending doom if they heeded not the warnings of God.
But Abraham said, "If they (those still alive on earth) won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even though someone rises from the dead. " (to warn them) (HOLY BIBLE) Luke 16: 31
Jesus (pbuh) uttered the above fact centuries after the demise of the prophets of Israel like Jeremiah, Hosea, Zechariah, etc and over thirteen hundred years after Moses (pbuh). The Pharisees at the time of Jesus (pbuh) and we today can still listen to "MOSES AND THE PROPHETS," for they are still alive, and with us here today in their teachings.
'YOU' OF THE TIME
If it is said that the Comforter was promised to the immediate disciples of Jesus (pbuh) and not to a people six hundred years later:
and he (God) shall give You another Comforter, that he may abide with You for ever.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14:16
Surprisingly, the Christian sees no difficulty in justifying the fulfillment of prophecies "since the world began," 1 and after over a millennium2 when Peter in his second sermon to the Jews, reminds them:
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord Your God raise up unto You of Your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear In all things what-so ever he shall say unto You.
(HOLY BIBLE) Acts 3: 22
All these "YE, YOU and YOURS" are from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 18, 3 when Moses (pbuh) addressed his people and not the Jews at the time of Peter, thirteen hundred years later. The Gospel writers have put the same compromising words in the mouth of their Master which are begging for fulfillment for two thousand years. I think just one example will suffice:
But when they persecute You in this city, flee Ye into another: for verily (most assuredly) I (Jesus) say unto You, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the son of man (Jesus) be come.
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 10: 25
1. Acts 3:21
2. Millennium: A thousand years
3. For an elaboration on this prophecy, see "WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MUHUMMED (PBUH)"
SCANNING THE CLOUDS
These early followers of the Messiah, forever ran, forlornly fleeing persecution. They ran from one city to another in Israel, scanning every dark cloud for the descent of Jesus (pbuh) in his second coming. The missionaries see no anomaly in their millennium of unfulfilled prophecies. God Almighty did not keep them waiting for even a quarter of the time for the advent of the "paracletos," — the Comforter or Ahmed which is another name for the Praised One. Let them show gratitude to God by accepting this Last and Final Messenger of God — Muhummed (pbuh)!
ADVENT OF COMFORTER CONDITIONAL
(iii) The Comforter is definitely not the "Holy Ghost" because the coming of the Comforter was conditional whereas that of the Holy Ghost was not as we observe in the prophecy —
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go for If I Go Not Away, The Comforter Will Not Come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 16: 7
"lf I don't go he won't come, but if I go, I will send him." There are numerous instances in the Holy Bible about the coming andgoing of the HOLY GHOST, before the birth and departure of the Messiah. Do yourself a favour, please verify these references in your Bible -
B.C. BEFORE CHRIST'S BIRTH:
1. ... and he (John the Baptist) shall be
filled with the Holy Ghost,
even from his mother's womb.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1: 15
2. ... and Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Ghost.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1: 41
3. And his father Zacharias was
filled with the Holy Ghost.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1:67
A.C. AFTER CHRIST'S BIRTH:
4. ... and the Holy Ghost was upon him (Simeon).
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 2:26
5. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily
shape like a dove upon him (Jesus).
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 3:22
From the above quotations, before and after the birth of Jesus (pbuh), one cannot help admiring St. Luke who appears to be a specialist on the Holy Ghost We may well ask the Christians, after the descent of the "dove", with whose help did Jesus (pbuh) perform his many miracles if not with the help of the Holy Ghost? Let the Master himself tell us. When accused by his own people, the Jews, that he was working in league with Beelzebub (the chief of the devils) to work his miracles, Jesus (pbuh) rhetorically questions them, "How can Satan cast out Satan?" The Jews imputed that this spirit of holiness - the Spirit of God - which was helping him, was devilish. This was treason of the highest order. So he gives them a dire warning:
... but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it shall never be forgiven
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 12:31
This "Holy Ghost" is non other than what Matthew himself has described in three verses before quoting the Master:
But if I (Jesus) cast out devils by the Spirit OF God, then the kingdom of God is come upon you.
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 12:28
Compare the same statement by another Gospel writer1
But if I (Jesus) by the Finger Of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 3:22
1. Give a second glance at the two verses, top and bottom, and you cannot help concluding that they are almost indentical. Why? The answer is in "Is the Bible God’s Word?".
You do not have to be a Bible scholar to understand that the expressions (a) "Finger of God" (b) "Spirit of God" and (c) "Holy Ghost" are all synonymous phrases. So the Holy Ghost was helping Jesus (pbuh) in his ministry. The Holy Ghost was also helping his disciples on their missions of preaching and healing. If there is still any doubt in your minds about the workings of the Holy Ghost then please read:
EMPTY PROMISE
...as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you (the disciples of Jesus), And when he had said this, be breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive Ye The Holy Ghost
(HOLY BIBLE) John 20: 21 –22
This was surely no empty promise. The disciples must have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. So if the "Holy Ghost" was with (1) John the Baptist, (2) Elizabeth. (3) Zacharias. (4) Simeon. (5) Jesus and (6) the Disciples of Jesus; then all this makes nonsense of the saying that "if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." Therefore the Comforter is not the Holy Ghost?. And that Mohammed(pbuh) , the last and final messenger of Allah.
With the new change in spirit, the verse under scrutiny will read:
But the Comforter, Which is The Holy Spirit, 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. (Emphasis added).
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14: 26
You do not have to be a Bible scholar of any calibre to sense that the expression "which is the Holy Spirit" is actually an interpolation. It ought to be in parenthesis, in brackets, like my words which have been interpolated in the quotation, i.e. "(emphasis added)." Although the editors of the RSV have expunged dozens of interpolations from their boasted Revised Standard Version, they have retained this jarring phrase which contradicts other explicit predictions of Jesus (pbuh) on the subject of the Comforter itself.
"HOLY SPIRIT" IS HOLY PROPHET
(i) It may be noted that no Biblical scholar of any standing has ever equated the "paracletos" of John in the original Greek with the Holy Ghost. Now we can say with one breath that if the Comforter is the "Holy Spirit" then that Holy Spirit is the Holy Prophet!
As Muslims we acknowledge that every true prophet of God is Holy and without sin. But whenever the expression "The Holy Prophet" is used among Muslims it is universally accepted as referring to the Holy Prophet Muhummed (pbuh). So even if we accept the above incongruous saying — "the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit," as Gospel truth, even then this prophecy will fit Muhummed (pbuh) like a glove, without any stretching of its meaning.
The same John, who is supposed to have authored the Gospel bearing his name, also penned three more Epistles which are also part of the Christian Bible. Amazingly he has used the same terminology of "Holy Spirit" for "Holy Prophet."
Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they
are of God; because many false Prophets are gone out into the World.
(HOLY BIBLE) 1 John 4: 1
You can observe that the word spirit is used here synonymously with a prophet. A true spirit is a true prophet, and a false spirit is a false prophet But for the so-called "born-again" Christians who see only with eyes of emotion, I recommend that they lay their hands on C.I. Scofield's Authorized King lames Version of the Bible who with an Editorial Committee of 9 D.D.’s adding their notes and comments. When they come to the First word "spirit" in the above verse they should give a notation to compare it with Matthew 7: 15 which confirms that false prophets are false spirits. So according to St. John the Holy Spirit is the Holy Prophet, and the Holy Prophet is Muhummed (pbuh) the Messenger of God.
A VALID TEST
But St. John does not leave us in the air, guessing the true from the false. He gives us an acid test for recognising the true Prophet, he says —
Hereby know ye the Spirit 1 of God: Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
(HOLY BIBLE) 1 John 4: 2
According to John's own interpretation in verse one above the word "spirit" is synonymous with the word prophet So verse two "Spirit of God" would mean Prophet of God and "Every spirit" would stand for every Prophet You have a right to know as to what the Holy Prophet Muhummed (pbuh) says about "Jesus Christ." 2
1. For SPIRIT, read PROPHET
Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) is spoken by name no less than 25 times in the Holy Qur'an. He is honoured as —
Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, the son of Mary)
An-nabi (The Prophet)
As-saaliheen (The Righteous)
Kalimatu'Llah (Word of God)
Ruhu-Llah (Spirit of God)
Masih-uLlah (Christ of God)
Behold the angels said: "O Mary! God giveth thee Glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held In honour in this world and The Hereafter and of (the Company of) those nearest to God- (surah al-i-'imran) Holy Qur’ân 3:45
MUHUMMED (PBUH) IS THE "OTHER"
(ii) The Comforter in John 14: 26 can never be the "Holy Ghost" because Jesus (pbuh) had already explained— And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you Another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14: 16
The emphasis here is on the word "ANOTHER," an other, a different one, an additional one, but of the same kind, yet distinctly different from the first. Who is then the first Comforter? The Christian world is unanimous that in this case the speaker himself — Jesus Christ (pbuh) is the first Comforter; then the other, the one to follow must be of like nature, subject to the same conditions of hunger, thirst, fatigue, sorrow and death.
But this promised Comforter was to "abide with you for EVER!" No one lives for even Jesus (pbuh) was mortal so must the coming Comforter also be mortal. No son of man can ever be immortal!
Every soul shall have a taste of death.
(SURAAL-I-IMRAN) Holy Qur’ân 3:185
ALIVE IN THEIR TEACHINGS
The soul does not really die, but when it separates from the body at the time of the death of the body, the soul will get a taste of death. But our Comforter was to "ABIDE" continue, endure for ever. All Comforters abide with us for ever. Moses is here with us today in his teachings. Jesus is here with us today in his teachings and Muhummed also is here with us in his teachings today. (May the peace and blessings of God be upon them all). This is not my novel idea trying to justify the preposterous. I say this with conviction and on the authority of Jesus Christ (pbuh) himself.
In Luke, chapter sixteen, Jesus (pbuh) tells us the story of the "Rich Man, Poor Man.' At death both find themselves at opposite ends — one in Heaven and the other in Hell. The rich man (Dives) simmering in Hell cries to Father Abraham to send the beggar (Lazarus) to assuage his thirst. But when every plea fails, he, as a last favour, requests that Father Abraham send the beggar back to earth to warn his living brothers against their impending doom if they heeded not the warnings of God.
But Abraham said, "If they (those still alive on earth) won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even though someone rises from the dead. " (to warn them) (HOLY BIBLE) Luke 16: 31
Jesus (pbuh) uttered the above fact centuries after the demise of the prophets of Israel like Jeremiah, Hosea, Zechariah, etc and over thirteen hundred years after Moses (pbuh). The Pharisees at the time of Jesus (pbuh) and we today can still listen to "MOSES AND THE PROPHETS," for they are still alive, and with us here today in their teachings.
'YOU' OF THE TIME
If it is said that the Comforter was promised to the immediate disciples of Jesus (pbuh) and not to a people six hundred years later:
and he (God) shall give You another Comforter, that he may abide with You for ever.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 14:16
Surprisingly, the Christian sees no difficulty in justifying the fulfillment of prophecies "since the world began," 1 and after over a millennium2 when Peter in his second sermon to the Jews, reminds them:
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord Your God raise up unto You of Your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear In all things what-so ever he shall say unto You.
(HOLY BIBLE) Acts 3: 22
All these "YE, YOU and YOURS" are from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 18, 3 when Moses (pbuh) addressed his people and not the Jews at the time of Peter, thirteen hundred years later. The Gospel writers have put the same compromising words in the mouth of their Master which are begging for fulfillment for two thousand years. I think just one example will suffice:
But when they persecute You in this city, flee Ye into another: for verily (most assuredly) I (Jesus) say unto You, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel till the son of man (Jesus) be come.
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 10: 25
1. Acts 3:21
2. Millennium: A thousand years
3. For an elaboration on this prophecy, see "WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MUHUMMED (PBUH)"
SCANNING THE CLOUDS
These early followers of the Messiah, forever ran, forlornly fleeing persecution. They ran from one city to another in Israel, scanning every dark cloud for the descent of Jesus (pbuh) in his second coming. The missionaries see no anomaly in their millennium of unfulfilled prophecies. God Almighty did not keep them waiting for even a quarter of the time for the advent of the "paracletos," — the Comforter or Ahmed which is another name for the Praised One. Let them show gratitude to God by accepting this Last and Final Messenger of God — Muhummed (pbuh)!
ADVENT OF COMFORTER CONDITIONAL
(iii) The Comforter is definitely not the "Holy Ghost" because the coming of the Comforter was conditional whereas that of the Holy Ghost was not as we observe in the prophecy —
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go for If I Go Not Away, The Comforter Will Not Come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
(HOLY BIBLE) John 16: 7
"lf I don't go he won't come, but if I go, I will send him." There are numerous instances in the Holy Bible about the coming andgoing of the HOLY GHOST, before the birth and departure of the Messiah. Do yourself a favour, please verify these references in your Bible -
B.C. BEFORE CHRIST'S BIRTH:
1. ... and he (John the Baptist) shall be
filled with the Holy Ghost,
even from his mother's womb.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1: 15
2. ... and Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Ghost.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1: 41
3. And his father Zacharias was
filled with the Holy Ghost.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 1:67
A.C. AFTER CHRIST'S BIRTH:
4. ... and the Holy Ghost was upon him (Simeon).
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 2:26
5. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily
shape like a dove upon him (Jesus).
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 3:22
From the above quotations, before and after the birth of Jesus (pbuh), one cannot help admiring St. Luke who appears to be a specialist on the Holy Ghost We may well ask the Christians, after the descent of the "dove", with whose help did Jesus (pbuh) perform his many miracles if not with the help of the Holy Ghost? Let the Master himself tell us. When accused by his own people, the Jews, that he was working in league with Beelzebub (the chief of the devils) to work his miracles, Jesus (pbuh) rhetorically questions them, "How can Satan cast out Satan?" The Jews imputed that this spirit of holiness - the Spirit of God - which was helping him, was devilish. This was treason of the highest order. So he gives them a dire warning:
... but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it shall never be forgiven
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 12:31
This "Holy Ghost" is non other than what Matthew himself has described in three verses before quoting the Master:
But if I (Jesus) cast out devils by the Spirit OF God, then the kingdom of God is come upon you.
(HOLY BIBLE) Matthew 12:28
Compare the same statement by another Gospel writer1
But if I (Jesus) by the Finger Of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
(HOLY BIBLE) Luke 3:22
1. Give a second glance at the two verses, top and bottom, and you cannot help concluding that they are almost indentical. Why? The answer is in "Is the Bible God’s Word?".
You do not have to be a Bible scholar to understand that the expressions (a) "Finger of God" (b) "Spirit of God" and (c) "Holy Ghost" are all synonymous phrases. So the Holy Ghost was helping Jesus (pbuh) in his ministry. The Holy Ghost was also helping his disciples on their missions of preaching and healing. If there is still any doubt in your minds about the workings of the Holy Ghost then please read:
EMPTY PROMISE
...as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you (the disciples of Jesus), And when he had said this, be breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive Ye The Holy Ghost
(HOLY BIBLE) John 20: 21 –22
This was surely no empty promise. The disciples must have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. So if the "Holy Ghost" was with (1) John the Baptist, (2) Elizabeth. (3) Zacharias. (4) Simeon. (5) Jesus and (6) the Disciples of Jesus; then all this makes nonsense of the saying that "if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you." Therefore the Comforter is not the Holy Ghost?. And that Mohammed(pbuh) , the last and final messenger of Allah.
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