The Godhead

[Gibs]

Joh 14:17 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.

"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. {YRP 13.1}

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 on His church.--Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908. {YRP 13.2}

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[John317]

Jesus Christ is our example in all things. Did Jesus Christ worship one person or two persons or three or more persons? Did Jesus Christ ever refer to any other person as God other than his Father?

Isn't the entire Bible the word of God and the basis of faith and doctrine?

2 Tim. 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Who inspired the Scriptures?

Answer: the "Third Person of the Godhead," the Holy Spirit:

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

,

[John317]

Genesis 1:26

(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

x20

[Gibs]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Waite

Jesus Christ is our example in all things. Did Jesus Christ worship one person or two persons or three or more persons? Did Jesus Christ ever refer to any other person as God other than his Father?

Isn't the entire Bible the word of God and the basis of faith and doctrine?

2 Tim. 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Who inspired the Scriptures?

Answer: the "Third Person of the Godhead," the Holy Spirit:

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

I need a scripture that makes the Holy Spirit the third person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is God and explains what God is. We have this one, and Jeus said it so I reckon if anyone could tell us truth on this it would be Him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

He is omnipresent because He is Spirit, there is nowhere but what He is there, and His creation is endless.

Jesus is the second person in the Godhead because the Father, the one and only God dwelt in Him.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The substance of the Father was in Him and all the Father's power was given Him, He is reigning now supreme until the sin problem is resolved, then the Father can be all in all again.

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet.

But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[John317]

Originally Posted By: John317

Who inspired the Scriptures?

Answer: the "Third Person of the Godhead," the Holy Spirit:

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

I need a scripture that makes the Holy Spirit the third person of the Godhead.

While there is no Bible verse which refers to "the third person of the Godhead," we do have a passage from the pen of Ellen G. White which says the Holy Spirit is "the third person of the Godhead." The Bible doesn't use this term, but the concept is certainly contained in the Scriptures.

Personally I don't believe Ellen White contradicts the Bible. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, yet these three Persons are One God. There are not three Gods/gods. We worship One God, yet there three distinct divine Persons.

Quote:

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. {DA 671.2}

2 Cor. 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

(No one can have fellowship with a non-person, or thing.)

Matthew 28:19

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

(The above verse leaves no doubt that the Scriptures are speaking of three distinct and separate divine Persons. Notice that they have one name. What name is that?)

Matthew 3:16-17

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

(Notice here is Jesus Christ whom the Bible says is God, the Spirit of God who is a distinct divine Person from the Father, and God the Father speaking from heaven.)

[John317]

...Jesus is the second person in the Godhead because the Father, the one and only God dwelt in Him.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The substance of the Father was in Him and all the Father's power was given Him, He is reigning now supreme until the sin problem is resolved, then the Father can be all in all again.

Yes, I agree that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead. That means the Father is the first person of the Godhead, and as Ellen White points out, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.

Col 2: 9 doesn't say that the Father's substance was in Christ. It says that in Christ's body LIVES ALL the fullness of the Godhead. It is saying Christ is all of God, ALL of Deity. That can only mean that Christ is as much God as the Father is. Christ is equal with the Father. Christ is God essentially and in the highest sense.

[John317]

Jesus Christ is our example in all things. Did Jesus Christ worship one person or two persons or three or more persons? Did Jesus Christ ever refer to any other person as God other than his Father?

Isn't the entire Bible the word of God and the basis of faith and doctrine?

2 Tim. 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness [17] that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Who inspired the Scriptures?

Answer: the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:21

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Wouldn't you agree that it is Christ who is speaking to us through His inspired prophets?

[Gibs]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

...Jesus is the second person in the Godhead because the Father, the one and only God dwelt in Him.

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The substance of the Father was in Him and all the Father's power was given Him, He is reigning now supreme until the sin problem is resolved, then the Father can be all in all again.

Yes, I agree that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Godhead. That means the Father is the first person of the Godhead, and as Ellen White points out, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.

Col 2: 9 doesn't say that the Father's substance was in Christ. It says that in Christ's body LIVES ALL the fullness of the Godhead. It is saying Christ is all of God, ALL of Deity. That can only mean that Christ is as much God as the Father is. Christ is equal with the Father. Christ is God essentially and in the highest sense.

"The Jews had never before heard such words from human lips, and a convicting influence attended them; for it seemed that divinity flashed through humanity as Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." The words of Christ were full of deep meaning as he put forth the claim that he and the Father were of one substance, possessing the same attributes.--The Signs of the Times, Nov. 27, 1893, p. 54. {7ABC 437.3}

He had to be to also rightly claim "I am the first", means before any other and none is before the Father.

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Jesus was not another God, but the one and only God dwelt in Him. He was God the Father with us in a body of flesh.

The Holy Spirit is God and not another God.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

The Holy Spirit is not another person, but is the very person of God.

Then comes the time Jesus turns the vestment of the Father in Him back to the Father! Like it or not!

Read again my post of the verses 1 Cor 15:24-28. It is very plain.

However, He will still be the Prince of God the Father and may still be considered the second Person of the Godhead.

Yes I know EGW saw the Holy Spirit to be the third person of the God head, but remember she had trinitarian roots.

There is but one God who represents Himself to us in Jeus Christ and by His Spirit. The Spirit in Christ was the Father in Him.

Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Jesus Christ was the Father's Redeemer He gave of Himself that we might be redeemed. He came from out of the Father it is revealed to us.

Isa 44:6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God

Yes 1 Joh 5:7 is correct,

1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

And Jesus echoed it,

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one. Yes Truly!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[John317]

Jesus was not another God, but the one and only God dwelt in Him. He was God the Father with us in a body of flesh.

The pre-incarnate Christ was the eternal, infinite, self-existent Son of God. He was omnipotent, meaning that He was all-powerful, or Almighty. He was equal with the Father in every respect.

Christ was not the Father in a body of flesh. But as Hebrews 1: 3 says, Christ is the perfect image of the Father's person.

Christ was and is the Word. The Word is not the Father and the Father is not the Word.

John 1: 1 is talking about at least two distinct Beings-- the Father and the Word-- who were always in close fellowship.

Do you agree with this so far?

[John317]

There is only one God. There are no "Gods."

[John317]

Yes I know EGW saw the Holy Spirit to be the third person of the God head, but remember she had trinitarian roots.

OK, she came out of the Methodist church, but so what?

She jettisoned all the teachings of Methodism that were not based on the Bible.

The fact that she had been a Methodist in the 1840s is no evidence that she was wrong in the 1890s to write what she did about the Holy Spirit being "the third Person of the Godhead."

The same argument could be used to say Ellen White was wrong about the second coming of Christ because she had Christian roots. Do you see my point?

As I said before, although the Bible doesn't use the words "third person of the Godhead," it definitely contains the concept of the Godhead consisting of three divine Persons, called, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Matt. 28: 19 clearly shows that these are three distinct persons. This is in agreement with 2 Cor. 13: 13 and many other verses.

I do believe it's important to notice that the only way you can reject the Holy Spirit as "the third person of the Godhead" is to reject that plain statement by Ellen G. White.

[John317]

...Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Is this " 1 body" and "1 Spirit" or is it "one body" and "one Spirit"? There is a difference, isn't there?

For instance, there are many individuals in the "one body," but they are one in unity.

When Christ said he and the Father are "one," did Christ mean He and the Father were "1," as in 1 Person?

And how about Adam and Eve? God said that they were "one flesh." What is the signficance of that "one"? Were Adam and Eve "1" person?

We can apply the same question to Deut. 6: 4. As you know, it says that "the Lord is one." Is that "the Lord is 1"?

[Gustave]

If you are not against the work of the Ellen White, he discusses page 671 of the Desire of Ages where she calls the Holy Spirit the Third Person of the Godhead.

Spoken of as "Third Person" but still NOT a Personality....

...Personality = body of flesh.

...Which Sister White affirmed God, Michael and Lucifer the archangels along with the other angels WERE ( Beings AKA Personalities ).

Signs of the Times, 1912, Vol 39 # 32

3829 — The Holy Spirit n Personality?

Question:

Can't we say that the Holy Spirit is a

personality, as long as the personal pronoun

is attributed to it? T. A. Z.

Answer:

The use of the personal pronoun is not of itself proof that the Holy Spirit is a personality, and yet the work of the Spirit is the work of a personality. By the Spirit both the Father and the Son come personally to every soul that receives the Spirit. In that wonderful sense which no human being can comprehend, the Spirit comes to each soul as a personality. And yet it does not have what we would call human personality of being in one place only at one time, that is, such personality as has our Lord Himself — in one place as He is in no other place. The Holy Spirit may be in any number of places at one and the same time, bringing the special presence of God in each of those places. In the office of the "Signs of the Times" there are fourteen different telephones all connecting with the manager. The manager may connect all these with him at one and the same time. He could issue a general order so that the foreman of each department could hear his voice at the same time. In a way he is personally present in every department. Every department hears his voice. The marvelous invention of the telephone makes him present in fifteen different places at the same time. So it is that God's Spirit makes the Father and the Son present in as many different places as God may direct, at one and the same time. We know somewhat of the working. We understand how it is to some extent of the Lord's ways and methods. We see the effects, but we know almost nothing of the nature and the power that Infinity uses to communicate with man. Let us be willing to leave it there. In some instances the Spirit is represented as the great life of God. In some it is spoken of as a power that is poured out and shed forth. To the individual it comes as the representative of the personal God. Therefore it may be spoken of as a personality, and looking at it from another view-point, as not a personality

God, according to Ellen White was a "Being", Michael & Lucifer the archangels were "BEINGS"...

...The Holy Spirit was the "flavor" or "odor" of God and His Son Christ.

...See the date of this answer and compare it to D.A.

Remember also what was taking place in and around this time....

...Kellogg had "accepted the Trinity Doctrine".

...And was teaching the Holy Spirit was the Third Person of the Godhead.

...With God the Father, God The Son and God the Holy Spirit.

...Being ONE in Substance.

Therefore God, in Kelloggs new theology equated to God = Father, Son, Holy Spirit....

...United in the ONE same Substance in addition to being united in Labor, Purpose and Spirit.

Ellen White said God and Christ were ONE in the same manner that Christ and His Apostles were ONE....

...Ellen said they were one in purpose, labor and spirit.

...AND that was where it ended - more than that and you are in pantheism.

This is the reality of the situation - The Holy Spirit was not a PERSONALITY or BEING....

...Which is why 'IT' wasn't mentioned as being able to attend the counsels of God as a BEING or PERSONALITY.

Ellen White, 1888 Great Controversy 493.1

Christ the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character, and in purpose,--the ONLY BEING in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. By Christ, the Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings. "By him were all things created, that are in Heaven, . . . whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers;" [COL. 1:16.] and to Christ, equally with the Father, all Heaven gave allegiance. {GC88 493.1}

[Gibs]

John317,

You would have much trouble of showing there is more than one Holy Spirit though It looks to me. Yes but one TRUE body by that ONE Spirit is all there can be. The rest are of another spirit.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Gustave]

Ellen White, along with the other Seventh-day Adventist Hierarchy taught that there was ONE God...

...The Father, period, end of discussion.

...'God', in Ellens mind was a specific, separate 'Being'.

...Christ or Michael the archangel was a separate 'Being'.

[Gibs]

For sure they had it right!

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[12tribes]

Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV

(4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

(5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 John 5:7 KJV

(7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.