He Said It Was Expedient

The work of the Holy Spirit as defined by Christ was in connection with His going away. He said it was expedient that He do so (John 16: 7). Why would it be expedient that He go away?

There are a number of reasons. One reason is because the apostles were confused about the nature of His kingdom. They, mistakenly, like some then and some today, envisioned an earthly kingdom. But His kingdom was to be a spiritual kingdom, not one with geographical artificial boundaries and government like earthly empires and civil governments.

As long as He remained in the flesh among them that expectation persisted. Indeed, it did right up to His ascension (Acts 1: 6). By going away the Holy Spirit would come upon the apostles as promised and the spiritual nature of the kingdom could be magnified.