SUBJECT: Contradictions in Luke and John according to Muslims    In (John 16:7) the criteria for the coming of the Holy Spirit is that Jesus has to go away, but it was already present as stated in (Luke 4:1,14,18) for example.  Isn’t this a contradiction?  Please reply as soon as possible because I am in a debate and I want your help?   My facebook Muslim friend asked me that if the Holy Spirit was there before Jesus then why did Jesus say he would send the helper.  This Muslim says that Jesus was talking about Muhammad in John 16.

Answer:

This is a rather easy supposed contradiction to explain.  It seems to me that your Muslim friend is only reading the Bible in order to find contradictions.  In John 16:7 Jesus is talking about the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit which he would send to those who repent and are baptized in his name, as promised in Acts 2:38-39.   He told his disciples to go and wait in Jerusalem for a time when God would pour out the Holy Spirit.

Although the Holy Spirit was sent in a special way, as promised by Jesus (Acts 1:8) and as promised in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28, Ezekiel 36:26 and many more, for example), obviously God’s Holy Spirit has always existed and has always been at work.  Obviously, Jesus was full on the Holy Spirit.  How can anyone claim that this is a contradiction?   This seems like someone just looking for an excuse to find a contradiction.  David asked God to not take the Holy Spirit from him (Psalms 51).  The Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters at the creation (Genesis 1:2).  God does not change and the Holy Spirit has always worked, but there are multiple prophecies in the Old Testament, and Jesus prophesied as well that after Pentecost the Holy Spirit would be given in a new and special way.   Only those who repent and are baptized into Jesus Christ have the wonderful privilege of being a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells.

By the way, I suggest that you avoid debating with your Muslim friends.   It appears to me that he has an argumentative spirit and it is possible that he is not completely sincere.  The Bible warns against getting into foolish arguments (2 Tim 2:23-24).  Of course I appreciate you reaching out to this guy, but please be cautious to not get caught up into arguments with people who are not sincere.

John Oakes