The work of the Holy Spirit is to enlighten the darkened understanding, to melt the selfish, stony heart, to subdue the rebellious transgressor, and save him from the corrupting influences of the world.
{4T 441.1}
“God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:24
Understanding the true nature shared by both the Father & the Son is vital in understanding the Godhead.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God With Us )“
Isaiah 7:14
The mystery of the incarnation is revealed at the resurrection when Christ promised to send another comforter which is Himself in spirit form.
“Christ’s Successor The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high.”
The Desire of Ages, p. 669.
“The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency, that through His grace we might be complete in Him.”
{14MR 84.3}
“The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is notappreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude. {AA 50.1}
Since this is the means by which we are to receive power, why do we not hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit? Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and preach concerning it? The Lord is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who serve Him than parents are to give good gifts to their children. For the daily baptism of the Spirit every worker should offer his petition to God. Companies of Christian workers should gather to ask for special help, for heavenly wisdom, that they may know how to plan and execute wisely. Especially should they pray that God will baptize His chosen ambassadors in mission fields with a rich measure of His Spirit. The presence of the Spirit with God’s workers will give the proclamation of truth a power that not all the honor or glory of the world could give.” {AA 50.2}
“The God of heaven saw it fit to establish the Advent movement on a solid foundation of truth. This foundation included a correct understanding of who He is.”
{J. S. White, The Day Star, January 24, 1846}
The Holy Spirit & Godhead
“The Spirit of Christ abiding in the soul (“In” us) will lead Christians to look upon their fellow men, not merely as human machinery and how their flesh and blood can be turned to the most profitable account, but how these souls can be helped to realize their accountability to God.… knowing that there is a silent witness by their side (“among” us) [recording] them as faithful or unfaithful servants.“ {6LtMs, Lt 36, 1890, par. 5}
“Let those who would know the truth realize that Christ is by their side. Let them come with a willingness to have their ideas corrected by the word of prophecy. Come with a determination to yield anything and everything that cannot be substantiated by the Holy Oracles.” {6LtMs, Lt 8a, 1890, par. 28}
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in (margin, “among”) you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27 KJV
To many Seventh-day Adventists, this may appear very surprising but the truth of the matter is that throughout the time of Ellen White’s ministry (1844-1915), also for decades following her death, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was a non-trinitarian denomination.
It is very interesting that regarding their non-trinitarian beliefs, never once did Ellen White say that early Seventh-day Adventists were wrong. This was even though some of our pioneers were quite vocal at times in speaking out against the trinity doctrine. This included her husband James Springer White.
The record of our history reveals that through to his death in 1881, even after being married to the messenger of the Lord for 35 years, James White remained a passionate anti-trinitarian. Nowhere can it be found where Ellen White said that her husband was wrong in these beliefs. This must be considered quite an interesting observation.
It was also the same with the other early Seventh-day Adventists. Never did Ellen White say that they were wrong in rejecting the trinity doctrine.
above taken from sdapillarsoftruth.co.uk
Why Spiritual Drought, Spiritual Darkness, and Spiritual Declension and Death in the Church? by M Harris
That They Might Know Thee- “His Holy Spirit” over 250 quotes stating who is the Holy Spirit. by M Harris
I Am That I Am by Vinnie Giambone (Godhead)
Studies on Adventist Trinity by Jonathan Mukwiri
The Sonship of Christ by Jonathan Mukwiri
WEBSITES:
The Prophet Still Speaks excellent detailed research
Theos.institute
www.acts321.org
Truth Seekers Ministry
TrinityTruth.org excellent material
SDAPillarsofTruth.co.uk great videos
Godhead Verses Trinity “Proofs”
Established by Force
JetsofLight.org
Statement of Beliefs
Statement of Belief Booklet (1872-1981)
“I tell you in the name of the Lord God of Israel, that Satan is presenting his sophistries to ministers and medical workers; and if our people listen to these sophistries, they will become impregnated with the same false idea of popular religion that will cause them to develop into gods, and there will be no place in their lives for God or for Christ.{Lt212-1906.5}
Just as long as men consent to listen to these sophistries, a subtle influence will weave the fine threads of these seductive theories into their minds, and men who should turn away from the first sound of such teaching will learn to love it. As loyal subjects we must refuse to listen to these sophistries. Their influence is something like a deadly viper, poisoning the minds of all who listen. It is a branch of hypnotism, deadening the sensibilities of the soul.”
{Lt212-1906.6}
“Especially solemn is the apostle’s statement regarding those who should refuse to receive ‘the love of the truth.’ ‘For this cause,’ he declared of all who should deliberately reject the messages of truth, ‘God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.’ Men cannot with impunity reject the warnings that God in mercy sends them. From those who persist in turning from these warnings, God withdraws His Spirit, leaving them to the deceptions that they love.”
Acts of the Apostles, 266.
“Men may get up scheme after scheme and the enemy will seek to seduce souls from the truth, but all who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White and has given her a message will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days.”
3SM 83, 84 (1906). {LDE 44.2}
“As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.”
5T 654 (1889). {LDE 44.1}
Sunday Rest Bill/ Trinity/ Nicea
The Sunday Law was passed in 1892. Next will be mandatory enforcement. Many are erroneously looking for Sunday as the marker for the close of probation and as a result, they will NOT KNOW the time of their visitation (close of probation) since they will be looking for the wrong event until it is too late. Please visit our Mark Ch 13/ Parable of the Fig Tree page for more on this subject of the fig tree. Please see documents below and visit Time is Running Out! Sunday Law post regarding the Sunday Law.
“We cannot tell the people any more that the United States government is going to put away the Sabbath of the Lord from the fourth commandment and put Sunday in its place. No man can do that and speak truly. Everyone that speaks the truth on that has to say that has been done and point the people simply to the official record in the proceedings of the government that shows it and there it stands. Therefore, as this is truly so, this text applies as never before, “Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
{February 13, 1895 ATJ, GCB 116.9} (Italicized in original)
11 replies on “Godhead/ Holy Spirit”
I wish every Seventh-day Adventist and every Trinitarian Christian would watch the following video’s. The best explanations I have heard yet !! A must for all to hear & see !! Thank You for sharing these video’s, very important to know !!
1.Letter 253, November 20th, 1903 (Kellogg)– VIDEO
2.The Future of Unity and The Trail of the Serpent– VIDEO
3.A Divine Sonship
4. What Did Arius Really Believe?
There are many Bible verses that support the fact that there are 3 Persons in the Godhead!!! God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!!! Our understanding must be Biblically based…And the Spirit of Prophecy ALWAYS points to, supports the Word of God, the BIBLE!!!
Hello Joy,
Thanks for sharing. What Bible texts stand out most to you on the Godhead? You might find this short video of interest: https://youtu.be/a1-7c20Yc7w
https://youtu.be/vTTrJl1hT90?si=LSXYbuhwGUsB5P5y
“I have yet many things to say unto you,” He continued, “but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” Jesus had opened before His disciples a vast tract of truth. But it was most difficult for them to keep His lessons distinct from the traditions and maxims of the scribes and Pharisees. They had been educated to accept the teaching of the rabbis as the voice of God, and it still held a power over their minds, and molded their sentiments. Earthly ideas, temporal things, still had a large place in their thoughts. They did not understand the spiritual nature of Christ’s kingdom, though He had so often explained it to them. Their minds had become confused. They did not comprehend the value of the scriptures Christ presented. Many of His lessons seemed almost lost upon them. Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the real meaning of His words. He compassionately promised that the Holy Spirit should recall these sayings to their minds. And He had left unsaid many things that could not be comprehended by the disciples. These also would be opened to them by the Spirit. The Spirit was to quicken their understanding, that they might have an appreciation of heavenly things. “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come,” said Jesus, “He will guide you into all truth.”
The Comforter is called “the Spirit of truth.” His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood. It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the mind. By directing men to false standards, he misshapes the character. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself.
In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.
Of the Spirit Jesus said, “He shall glorify Me.” The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of His love; so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing His grace to the world. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.
“When He [the Spirit of truth] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success unless the seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven. Before one book of the New Testament was written, before one gospel sermon had been preached after Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the praying apostles. Then the testimony of their enemies was, “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Acts 5:28. . DA 670.2-DA 671.4
Amen! Thanks for sharing that quote. Blessings to you Sister Joy.
Hello,
The Holy Spirit is a crucial subject for the end of Times. Every christian that prays earnestly shall receive the light from heavens. Let us remember that Satan ,the greatest deceiver , is trying to introduce himself as “the third god” . The sanctification of the remnant church is the present truth and it is only through the Spirit of Truth that the church is being sanctified.
Many blessings to All
Apollin MOYO
Amen, Brother Apollin.
Dear Darrel and Melinda
The matter of the Spirit IN vs BESIDE you – very weak position, and out of context. I’d like to refer to Romans 8:11 – cannot possible be BESIDE because it is referring to literal mortal bodies and not a body of believers (plural).
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Also please see 3T page 466 par 2 (1872) “Your life thus far has been unprofitable. You have some very good ideas, but the Spirit of God does not dwell in your heart. You are not quickened by His power, and you have not genuine faith, hope, and love. The Spirit of Christ dwelling in you will enable you to take of the things of God and reveal them to others. You can be of no benefit to the cause of God till the work of a faithful minister of Christ is more exalted in your mind. You want a purpose in your life to do good, as did Jesus. The self-denial and love which you manifest in this work will tell upon the lives and characters of others. ”
Youth Instructor, February 1, 1856 (last sentence in particular)
“Do you seek to glorify God, and honor him in your life? You should seek and pray for a spirit of thankfulness for all the blessings you enjoy, and seek earnestly for the Holy Spirit to dwell in you. If you do not possess the Holy Spirit, there is a fault, and the fault is in you; for Jesus says, “If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” With such an assurance as this of the willingness of your Father in heaven to give you his Holy Spirit, how can you remain away from him? How can you longer neglect to ask him in confidence to perform that work in you so necessary to make you a devoted Christian? O, come to Jesus now, dear young friends, with a broken heart, and with confidence in the mercy and promises of God, plead for pardon for your past wanderings from the fold of Christ—plead in earnest prayer till you feel his pardoning love, and the fullness of his Spirit dwelling in you.”
Education Chapter 5, page 36 – 1903
“Through Christ was to be fulfilled the purpose of which the tabernacle was a symbol—that glorious building, its walls of glistening gold reflecting in rainbow hues the curtains inwrought with cherubim, the fragrance of ever-burning incense pervading all, the priests robed in spotless white, and in the deep mystery of the inner place, above the mercy seat, between the figures of the bowed, worshiping angels, the glory of the Holiest. In all, God desired His people to read His purpose for the human soul. It was the same purpose long afterward set forth by the apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17.
A thought: Our bodies being the temples of the Holy Spirit are the antitype of the Shekinah glory that was manifest in the literal temple on earth.
Now a question: If the demonic forces can inhabit a man or woman’s body, can not the Spirit of God do the same when we are in a converted surrendered state and abiding in Him?
Perhaps a deeper study is required?
May the Lord continue to bless your ministry
Judith
Hi Judith,
Thanks for sharing the quotes. The question of “in” or “beside” is to differentiate that Christ himself (his body) is not IN us but Christ is BESIDE us while His SPIRIT is within us. We desire that Christ’s SPIRIT (mindset) to be “in” us, but his physical body is not IN us. This is my understanding of what the presenter in the video was trying to convey if I remember correctly. Christ “IN” you, the hope of glory. 🙂
Dear Darrel and Melinda
Just to clarify, my response most certainly has nothing to do with Christ’s “body” being in us. There is a distinct difference between body, soul and spirit. The three are not the same. A very narrow idea has been promoted as well as many quotes by Ellen White being ignored. And before the matter is raised, it is not the “holy flesh” idea that is being defended here.
The originators/speaker of this article cannot stand the test because of the use of a false premise, namely, picking and using a secondary word (the very last word given) out of the Strong’s Concordance that suit the persons preference and purpose ignoring the primary defined word. To do this, means anyone can do the same on any topic and change the meaning. A study of the matter, has been conducted at length by myself and others. John 14:17 destroys the argument:
(Jesus speaking of Himself) “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth WITH YOU, and SHALL BE IN YOU.”
Ellen White said we should take the Bible as it reads and that it is simple enough for anyone to understand. Why do we need to latch on to the ideas of men who wrest from the scriptures the real meaning to prop up their own ideas and arguments.
It is Christ who will lead us into truth by His spirit. (Individually if when we study).
It is sad thing that there cannot be unity among the brethren because of petty grievances, competition for followers and means. We should not be getting caught up in this, they do greatly err!
A letter to Brother Chapman by Ellen White is a great reminder:
MR No. 1107—The Importance of Unity; The Holy Spirit a Mystery
https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/58.847#847
Blessings in Christ
Judith
Happy Preparation Day Judith,
Actually the subject of the Holy Spirit is one I don’t dive into deeply since Sister White states it is a mystery. We know she had to deal with Kellogg’s pantheism with Christ being “in” this object or that. Unfortunately, there are folks who still believe these pantheistic theories. Have you seen the quotes by Sister White which are located as a white button near the video, where she states Christ is walking next to/ beside us? https://iwillstanduponmywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Christ-Among-You_Jesus-by-their-side_not-in-you-1.pdf As John 14:7 states, He will be “with” and “in” us. These are interesting quotes indeed. I believe His spirit is both with and in us by our invitation. One thing we all know for sure is the importance of Christ’s character (via obedience to His laws/ commandments) to be in us– as our character must be Christlike to enter the kingdom of heaven. And this is what all should be striving for. I believe the Holy Spirit will bring about the unity collectively, not man. Although we are to aim for unity among the brethren by teaching the same on salvational issues, only Christ can bring His faithful followers together at the end when His Holy Spirit is poured out upon His sealed servants with ten times the power of Pentecost. Happy Sabbath Blessings, Melinda
PS- Thanks for sharing the MS on unity. I have a compilation of quotes on unity. https://iwillstanduponmywatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Unity-Prayer-of-Christ_1.pdf