When we put all these statements together, it should be clear that the coming of the Comforter is none other than the coming of the Lord in the Spirit.
Several commentators have remarked on this wonderful truth. Leon Morris said, “He [Jesus] comes in the coming of the Spirit.” A.B. Simpson said, “The coming of the Comforter is just the coming of Jesus himself to the heart.” And Watchman Nee affirmed the same: “This Comforter, Who is the Holy Spirit, is just the Christ that will dwell in you.” The Spirit did not come as the Son’s replacement or representative, but as the Son himself in his spiritual form. And R.C. Moberly remarked, “It is not for an instant that the disciples are to have the presence of the Spirit instead of having the presence of the Son. But to have the Spirit is to have the Son.”
Not all exegetes will agree with the interpretation presented above, especially those who do their utmost to distinguish the persons of the Trinity. Yet it must be admitted that according to Christian experience, there is no distinguishable difference between the experience of Christ and the experience of the Spirit. The two are one and the same. Paul’s practical theology affirms this (see Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 3:17-18), and so does John’s (see 7:37-39; 16:11-13; 20:22). The unity between Jesus and the Spirit is essential to the proper interpretation of the Lord’s last discourse, and specifically to the verses (16-18) we have been discussing. One final citation, from Eric L. Titus, certifies this view
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