Revision #13543
Paraclete
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- The Korean term *bohyesa* translates the Greek **parakletos**. *Parakletos* originally means "one called to one's side" and carries the senses of advocate, helper, and comforter. The Korean word *bohyesa* is understood to have been adopted from the rendering used in Chinese Bible translations. Its Chinese characters mean "a teacher (師) who protects (保) and bestows grace (惠)." Depending on the Bible translation, the word is also rendered "Advocate," "Helper," or "Protector."
+ The Paraclete is the Greek **parakletos**, a word that originally means "one called to one's side." It carries the senses of advocate, helper, and comforter. Bible translations render it variously, including "Comforter," "Advocate," "Helper," and "Protector."
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- The term Paraclete occurs chiefly in the Farewell Discourse of the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). Jesus said that he would ask the Father to send "another Comforter." This Paraclete abides with the disciples forever (John 14:16), teaches them and brings Jesus' words to their remembrance (John 14:26), and testifies of Jesus (John 15:26). In 1 John 2:1 the same word refers to Jesus Christ; the New Korean Revised Version renders it in that verse as "advocate" (*daeeonja*) (→ 1 John 2:1–2). For this reason, the word "another" is commonly interpreted to mean that Jesus himself is the first Paraclete.
+ The term occurs chiefly in the Farewell Discourse of the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). Jesus said that he would pray the Father to send "another Comforter" (John 14:16). This Paraclete abides with the disciples forever (John 14:16), teaches them and brings Jesus' words to their remembrance (John 14:26), and testifies of Jesus (John 15:26). In 1 John 2:1 the same word refers to Jesus Christ, where the King James Version reads "an advocate with the Father"; the Korean New Korean Revised Version likewise renders it in that verse as "advocate" (→ 1 John 2:1–2). For this reason, the word "another" is commonly interpreted to mean that Jesus himself is the first Paraclete.
=
= From the early church onward, the Paraclete passages served as evidence that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force but a person. This understanding influenced the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity. In the second century, however, Montanism claimed that the Paraclete spoke through its prophecies, a claim the church of the time rejected.
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= ## Usage in the Korean Church
=
- In the Korean church, *bohyesa* (Paraclete) is a familiar title for the Holy Spirit. In the representative prayer offered during worship, the Spirit is often addressed as "Holy Spirit, our Paraclete." These passages are also frequently cited in Pentecost sermons and in sermons on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the Paraclete is a familiar title for the Holy Spirit. In the representative prayer (*daepyo gido*) offered during worship, the Spirit is often addressed as "Holy Spirit, our Paraclete." The Paraclete passages are also frequently cited in Pentecost sermons and in sermons on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
=
- Emphases differ among denominations.
+ Emphases differ among Korean denominations.
= - Presbyterian and other Reformed traditions stress the Paraclete's work of illuminating the Word, testifying of Christ, and granting assurance of salvation.
= - Methodist and Holiness churches tend to connect the Spirit's work with making believers holy, that is, with sanctification.
= - Full Gospel and other Pentecostal churches emphasize the Paraclete as one who is present even now, helping believers through power and spiritual gifts.
=
- Some groups teach that the Paraclete has come to earth as a particular individual. The World Mission Society Church of God believes its founder, Ahn Sahng-hong, to be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete. Shincheonji teaches that its leader, Lee Man-hee, is connected with the Paraclete. Both groups claim that this is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. By contrast, the general assemblies of Korea's major denominations have cited these teachings as one of the grounds for their judgments of heresy against these groups.
+ Some Korean groups teach that the Paraclete has come to earth as a particular individual. The World Mission Society Church of God believes its founder, Ahn Sahng-hong, to be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete. Shincheonji teaches that its leader, Lee Man-hee, is connected with the Paraclete. Both groups claim that this is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. By contrast, the general assemblies of Korea's major denominations have cited these teachings as one of the grounds for their judgments of heresy against these groups.
Paraclete (Korean bohyesa, 保惠師) is a title used in the Gospel of John for the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to his disciples after his departure. It renders the Greek word parakletos.
The Paraclete is a title used in the Gospel of John for the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to his disciples after his departure. The term renders the Greek word parakletos.
Full revision
The Paraclete is a title used in the Gospel of John for the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send to his disciples after his departure. The term renders the Greek word parakletos.
Definition and Meaning
The Paraclete is the Greek parakletos, a word that originally means "one called to one's side." It carries the senses of advocate, helper, and comforter. Bible translations render it variously, including "Comforter," "Advocate," "Helper," and "Protector."
Biblical and Historical Background
The term occurs chiefly in the Farewell Discourse of the Gospel of John (John 14:16, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7). Jesus said that he would pray the Father to send "another Comforter" (John 14:16). This Paraclete abides with the disciples forever (John 14:16), teaches them and brings Jesus' words to their remembrance (John 14:26), and testifies of Jesus (John 15:26). In 1 John 2:1 the same word refers to Jesus Christ, where the King James Version reads "an advocate with the Father"; the Korean New Korean Revised Version likewise renders it in that verse as "advocate" (→ 1 John 2:1–2). For this reason, the word "another" is commonly interpreted to mean that Jesus himself is the first Paraclete.
From the early church onward, the Paraclete passages served as evidence that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force but a person. This understanding influenced the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity. In the second century, however, Montanism claimed that the Paraclete spoke through its prophecies, a claim the church of the time rejected.
Usage in the Korean Church
In Korean Protestant churches, the Paraclete is a familiar title for the Holy Spirit. In the representative prayer (daepyo gido) offered during worship, the Spirit is often addressed as "Holy Spirit, our Paraclete." The Paraclete passages are also frequently cited in Pentecost sermons and in sermons on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Emphases differ among Korean denominations.
- Presbyterian and other Reformed traditions stress the Paraclete's work of illuminating the Word, testifying of Christ, and granting assurance of salvation.
- Methodist and Holiness churches tend to connect the Spirit's work with making believers holy, that is, with sanctification.
- Full Gospel and other Pentecostal churches emphasize the Paraclete as one who is present even now, helping believers through power and spiritual gifts.
Some Korean groups teach that the Paraclete has come to earth as a particular individual. The World Mission Society Church of God believes its founder, Ahn Sahng-hong, to be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete. Shincheonji teaches that its leader, Lee Man-hee, is connected with the Paraclete. Both groups claim that this is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. By contrast, the general assemblies of Korea's major denominations have cited these teachings as one of the grounds for their judgments of heresy against these groups.