SOME Muslims are claiming that their prophet Muhammad is the "Spirit of truth" mentioned in John 16:13.
They use this to claim that the Bible foretold of the coming of their prophet, since the verse says that the "Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth."
This is a false claim.
Quickly, the reasons are:
1. John 16:13 says it is the Spirit that is to come. Islam's prophet is not a spirit but a man.
2. In John 16:7, Jesus said He would be the one to send the Spirit, who is also called Advocate, Comforter or Paraclete. Jesus did not send Islam's prophet.
3. John 14:26 clearly identifies the Spirit, Advocate, Comforter or Paraclete as the Holy Spirit. The prophet of Islam is not the Holy Spirit.
+++
MUSLIM FALSE CLAIM EXPLAINED
SPIRIT
Firstly, John 16:13 clearly states that He who will come is the "Spirit."
A spirit has no flesh, no bones, no blood. On the contrary, the prophet of Islam was a human being, a man made of flesh, bones and blood.
So clearly, the claim of some Muslims that their prophet was the "Spirit" that was prophesied to come is false.
JESUS TO SEND SPIRIT
Second, if we read back in John 16:7, Jesus tells us that He would be the one to send the Spirit, who is referred to here as the Advocate or Comforter or Paraclete.
Ask any Muslim if it was Jesus who sent their prophet and they might even be insulted. For how can a "prophet" (they believe that Jesus is only a prophet) send another prophet?
So, again, the claim of some Muslims that it is their prophet who is to come according to John 16:13 is proven wrong and false.
SPIRIT IS HOLY SPIRIT
Thirdly, there can be no doubt that John 16:13 refers to the Holy Spirit because in John 14:26, the Advocate or Comforter or Paraclete is clearly identified as the Holy Spirit.
I doubt if any real Muslim would claim that their prophet is the Holy Spirit.
So, the claim of some Muslims that their prophet is the Spirit that is to come according to John 16:13 falls flat and false.
WHY THE FALSE CLAIM?
Some Muslims are desperate to find proof that their prophet was sent by God.
Many Muslims have told me that God never talked to any man and that included not talking to their prophet directly.
That means, God never really talked to Islam's prophet and personally told him that He was sending him as His prophet or messenger to mankind.
Compare that to the prophets of the Bible, where God personally talked to the prophets and personally sent them to speak to people.
God personally spoke to Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Jeremiah, and others and personally sent them as His messenger. God spoke to Moses directly and sent him directly.
No such thing happened with the prophet of Islam, according to Muslims.
So, some Muslims feel that the credibility of their prophet is at stake and for good reason.
What good is a prophet who was never personally sent by God? What good is a prophet whom God never talked to?
WHAT IS A PROPHET?
A prophet is a spokesman of God. God sends out prophets to bring His words to men.
If God never even personally talked to a "prophet," how could that person know what God wanted him to say to people?
How could a "prophet" know what God wants when God does not even talk to him?
And what kind of a prophet is that whom God never even bothered to talk to, much less personally send on a mission?
Would anyone believe that kind of a prophet?
MUSLIM PROBLEM
So, some Muslims have a big problem. They admit that God never personally spoke to their prophet and God never personally sent their prophet as His messenger.
And that is why some Muslims are desperate and hard-pressed to find -- or even invent -- proof that their prophet is a true prophet of God.
And that is why some of them have resorted to distorting and twisting verses like John 16:13.
And they are also distorting and twisting other verses like Deuteronomy 18:18, Genesis 17:20, Isaiah 29:12,
Songs 5:16 and others.
NOT A CHRISTIAN PROBLEM
Thank God, this is not a Christian problem.
Christianity was founded by God Himself, who sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save man and found His Church.
The leaders of the Christian Church were directly appointed by God and are being guided by God's own Spirit.
Let us praise God for this wonderful blessing.
