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All trinity studies Previous Download Next Before Abraham Was, I AM “I AM or I existed?” Why do so Many Get This Wrong? The phrase “I am” in John 8:58 comes from two Greek words “egō” and “eimi.” The Strong's Definitions are:“egō : “I” (only expressed when emphatic): - I, me.”“eimi: I exist (used only when emphatic): - am, have been, X it is I, was.” How would you expect Jesus to respond to this comment? “Then said the Jews unto him, You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” John 8:57 Not knowing Jesus existed before Abraham, the Pharisees are saying how could you have seen Abraham because you are not yet 50 years old. Since the Greek words for “I am” also mean I exist or existed, what is the obvious translation and response from Christ who existed before Abraham? “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58Or“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I existed.” John 8:58 Both are valid translations and the majority of Bible translations agree with the last one in fact with good reason! *** Here Are Many Translations That Had No Trouble Getting This Right! *** The Living Bible:“The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born!” The New Testament in the Language of Today, 1964 ed., William F. Beck:“I was in existence before Abraham was ever born” New Believers Bible, New Living Translation, (1996):“Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” The Concise Gospel and The Acts, C.J. Christianson, (1973):“I existed even before Abraham was born.” New Simplified Bible:“Jesus said, I tell you the truth, I existed before Abraham was born.” An American Translation, Smith and Goodspeed, (1939):“Jesus said to them, “I tell you, I existed before Abraham was born!” The New Testament in the Language of the People, Charles B. Williams, (1937):“Then Jesus said to them, “I most solemnly say to you, I existed before Abraham was born.” Cotton Patch Version, (1970):“To this Jesus replied, I existed before Abraham was born.” New Testament, Noli, M.F.S., (1961):“Jesus answered them: Well, well, I tell you, I existed before Abraham was born.” The Original New Testament, H.J. Schonfield, (1956):“I tell you for a positive fact, I existed before Abraham was born.” The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, George Swann, (1947):“Jesus said to them, verily, verily I say unto you, I existed before Abraham was born.” The Clarified New Testament, P.G. Parker:“Jesus answered, before Abraham existed, I existed.” A Translators Handbook to the Gospel of John, Nida:“Before Abraham existed, I existed, or I have existed.” The Documents of the New Testament, G.W. Wade, (1934):“Jesus said to them, in very truth I tell you, before Abraham came into being, I have existed.” The Complete Gospels Annotated Scholars Version, Miller, (1992):“I existed before there was an Abraham.” The Bible, A New Translation, Dr. James Moffatt, (1935):“Truly, truly I tell you,” said Jesus, “I have existed before Abraham was born.” The New Testament Or Rather the New Covenant, Sharpe, (1881):“I was before Abraham was born.” The Worldwide English New Testament Bible:“Jesus answered, I tell you the truth. I already was before Abraham was born.” Good News for the World, (1969):“Jesus answered, I tell you the truth. I already was before Abraham was born.” International English Version, (2001):“I was alive before Abraham was born.” International Bible Translators, (1981):“Jesus said to them, I am telling the truth: I was alive before Abraham was born!” The Simple English Bible, (1978):“Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth: I was alive before Abraham was born.” The Four Gospels and Revelation, Richmond Lattimore, (1979):“Truly, truly I tell you, I am from before Abraham was born.” New Covenant, J.W. Hanson, (1884):“Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, I am before Abraham was born.” A Literal Translation from the Syriac Peshito Version, James Murdock, D.D., from 5th century manuscripts, (1896):“Jesus said to them: Verily, verily I say to you, That before Abraham existed, I was.” Twentieth Century New Testament:“In truth I tell you,” replied Jesus, “before Abraham existed I was.” The New Testament According To The Eastern Text, George Lamsa Translation, (1940):“Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was born, I was.” The Curetonian Version of the Four Gospels, Burkitt, from 5th century manuscripts, (1904):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” The Old Georgian Version of the Gospel of John, P. Blake, M. Briere, in Patrologia Orientallis, Vol. XXVI, faxcicle 4, Paris, from 5th century manuscripts, (1950):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” Ethiopic-Edition: Nouvum Testamentum Æthiopice, T.P. Platt, revised by F. Praetorius, Lepzig, (1899:“Before Abraham was born, I was” The New Testament, Curt Stage, (1907):“Before Abraham came to be, I was.” The New Testament, Kleist & Lilly, (1956):“I tell you the plain truth. replied Jesus, I am here - and I was before Abraham.” New American Standard Bible, 1963 and 1971 editions alternative rendering:“I have been” The New Testament, George Rh. Noyes, D.D., “Professor Of Hebrew and Other Oriental Languages and Dexter Lecturer on Biblical Literature in Harvard University”, (1869):“Jesus said, truly I tell you, from before Abraham was, I have been.” “The Four Gospels” According to the Sinaitic Palimpsest, Agnes Smith Lewis, from a 4th-5th century manuscript, (1886):“He said unto them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I have been.” The New Testament in Hebrew, Franz Delitzsch, 1937 edition:“Before Abraham was, I have been.” The Unvarnished New Testament, Andy Gaus:“Truly, truly I tell you, Before Abraham was born, I have already been.” The New Testament: a New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts, Johannes Greber, (1937):“I am speaking the truth, Jesus answered, I am older than Abraham.” The New Testament (in German), Friedreich Pfaefflin, (1949):“Jesus: Before there was an Abraham, I was already there.” The New Testament in Hebrew, Isaac Salkinson and David Ginsberg, 1941 edition:“I have been when there had as yet been no Abraham.” Translation of New Testament, Wakefield, G., (1795):“Jesus said unto them: Verily verily I say unto you, before Abraham was born, I am He.” Ledyard, G.H. New Life Testament, (1969):“Jesus said to them, for sure I tell you, before Abraham was born, I was and sum and always will be.” The Coptic Version of the New Testament in the Southern Dialect, George William Horner, (1911):“Before Abraham became, I, I, am being.” The New Testament, James A. Klist, S.J., and Joseph L. Lilly, C.M., (1954):“I am here - and I was before Abraham.” Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download 看中文 Next Unmasked Bible Study Bible Study Lesson 1 IS IT IMPORTANT, AND CAN WE KNOW? 1. Is God pleased when His people do not know Him? Hosea 4:1 “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Controversy: strife, dispute, quarrel, something against) 2. What is the whole duty of man?Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” 3. What does it mean to “fear God?”The Bible writers, often used a style of writing called parallelism where they would write a thought and then repeated it using different words, yet implying the same meaning. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” “fear of the Lord” = “knowledge of God” 4. What is the first message that we are to give in the last days? Revelation 14:7 “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (A part of the first angels message is to bring back the knowledge of God to the people.) 5. Is it important to know God? Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” 6. Why is knowing God so important? John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” 2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord...” 7. What does knowing God involve? a. Know who God is 2 Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (Paul knew who God is, that is why he was able to declare Him to those who worshiped Him ignorantly: Act 17:23) b. Know His ways/glory/character Exodus 33:13 “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” Exodus 33:18 “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.” (ways = glory) Exodus 34:6,7 “And the LORD passed by before him, and pro-claimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (God’s character is here displayed as his glory.) 1 John 4:7-9 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (know God = love God and man, because God is love) c. Keep His commandments Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Knowing God leads to obeying Him. Doctrine is not the end; it is the means to know God better, to get closer to Him. ) 8. What must I do to know God intimately? Proverbs 2:3-5 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” 9. Can we know who God is? Has God revealed Himself to us in His Word? Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse ...” 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 10. What is the only thing we can glory in? Jeremiah 9:23,24 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.” Bible Study Lesson 2 WHO IS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE? 1. According to the Old Testament, how many Gods are there? Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD...” Deuteronomy 4:35 “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.” Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” (see Question 6) 2. According to the New Testament, how many Gods are there? 1 Corinthians 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 1Timothy 2:5 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;...” James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” 3. Who is the most qualified person to tell us about the true God? John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 3:11 “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.” 4. According to Jesus— a. Who is “the only true God”? John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” b. Whom did Jesus say we should pray to? Matthew 6:9-13 “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” c. Which is the first commandment of all? Mark 12:28-32 “And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:” Knowing God is required before we can love Him. A correct knowledge of God is vital for our relationship with Him. The scribe agreed that there is only one God, and none other but He. d. Did Jesus correct the scribe? Mark 12:34 “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.” (The belief of the scribe reflected the faith of the entire Jewish nation. The Jews believed in one God only.) John 8:41 “Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.” e. Who is the God of the Jews? John 8:54 “Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: ...” (see Romans 3:29) f. Who will the true worshippers worship? John 4:21-23 “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” 5. According to the apostles, who is the one God? 1 Corinthians 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.” James 3:9 “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.” Romans 15:6 “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;...” 6. Who is the living and true God? 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 10 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” Bible Study Lesson 3 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD THE FATHER What does the Bible have to say about the sovereignty of the Father? Here are some facts about God the Father that will shed some light on this topic. The Father is the ultimate Source of all things. 1 Corinthians 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.” 2 Corinthians 5:18 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;...” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14,15 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,...” 2. The Father is the God of Christ. a. During the Incarnation Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” b. After His Resurrection John 20:17 “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: …” Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (see Hebrews 1:9, 1 Peter 1:3) 3. The Father is exclusively called the Most High … Compare the following two verses: Psalms 78:17 “And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.” Isaiah 63:8-10 “For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” God the Father is the subject of these verses. Two Beings are mentioned, God the Father (who is called “their Saviour”) and Christ (who is called “the angel of his presence”). … While Jesus is called the “Son of the Most High.” Mark 5:7 “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.” Luke 8:28 “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee,torment me not.” The above verses clearly distinguish between the Father and the Son. The Father is called “the Most High,” while Jesus is called the “Son of the most high God.” 4. The Father is older than Jesus. John 14:28 “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” The word “greater” in the above text comes from (G3187 “μείζων” meizon) which can mean “older” as translated in Romans 9:12, “It was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger.” 5. The Father is greater than all. John 10:29 “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” 6. The Father is the head of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 7. The Father is above all. Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” 8. The Father is the Lord of heaven and earth. Matthew 11:25 “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (See Luke 10:21) Not only that, but the Bible also reveals to us some things which Jesus received from His Father which sheds a bit more light on the sovereignty of God the Father. 9. What did Jesus receive from His Father? a. His life John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;...” b. His power and authority Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (see Matthew 11:27; John 5:22-27; 17:2) c. His kingdom Daniel 7:14 “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” Luke 1:32 “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ...” (see also 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:22) d. His right to receive worship John 5:22-23 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” (see Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:6) e. His name Philippians 2:9-10 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;...” Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” f. All things John 3:35 “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John 13:3 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ...” (see Hebrews 1:2) The above verses are ample evidence to prove to us the sovereignty of God the Father. But, by this, we do not diminish the position, value or divinity of Jesus, the Son of God. (For further information on the equality of the Father and the Son, please refer to Lesson 5.) Bible Study Lesson 4 WHO IS JESUS? 1. Who did Jesus claim to be? John 10:36 “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” 2. What did God the Father say regarding the identity of Jesus? Matthew 3:16, 17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” 3. Who did the disciples understand Jesus to be? Matthew 16:15, 16 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 11:27 “She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Matthew 14:33 “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Acts 9:20 “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” 4. Did the fallen angels know that Jesus was the Son of God? Luke 4:3 “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Luke 8:28 “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.” Mark 5:7 “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.”Satan and the fallen angels knew before their fall that Jesus was the Son of God, hence Satan’s challenge in the wilderness and the demon’s confession. 5. Who else is referred to as the “son of God” in the Scriptures? Luke 3:38 “Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.” Adam was the son of God by creation (Genesis 5:1), as also were the angels ( Job 38:7). 1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” We are sons of God by adoption (Romans 8:15). 6. How is Christ the Son of God? 1 John 4:9 “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” Jesus is not a son by creation, as Adam was; nor a son by adoption, like us; but He is the only begotten Son; He is the Son because He was begotten of the Father. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God giving His only begotten Son indicates that God must have had a Son, before the Incarnation, to give. 7. When did Jesus become the Son of man? Galatians 4:4 “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Luke 1:31 “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” Jesus became the Son of man when He was brought forth of Mary; at the Incarnation. 8. When was Christ begotten of the Father? Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” “Goings forth” also means “origin.” Jesus was brought forth in the days of antiquity, or from everlasting (margin: the days of eternity). 9. What happened in the days of eternity? Proverbs 8:22-30 “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him.” In the above passage, speaking under the title of wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Colossians 2:3), Jesus points the reader to the duration, before the creation of anything, as the time when He was “brought forth” or “possessed” by the Father. 10. Was Jesus referred to as the ‘Son of God’ before Bethlehem? Proverbs 30:4 “Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?” Daniel 3:25 “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Psalms 2:12 “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” 11. During the Incarnation, did Jesus teach that He came forth from the Father? John 8:42 “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 16:27 “For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.” 12. Is it important for us to believe that Jesus is the real and literal Son of God? 1 John 2:22, 23 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 5:10, 11 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” 13. Why did the Jews kill Christ? Matthew 26:63-65 “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.” John 19:7 “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” Jesus preferred to die than to deny His true Sonship! How much more should we mere mortals confess the Sonship of Jesus? 14. What is promised to those who receive Jesus as the Son of God? John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Bible Study Lesson 5 EQUALITY OF THE FATHER AND THE SON We have established that Jesus is the Son of God because He was begotten/brought forth from the Father in the days of eternity. 1. Are the Father and the Son equal? Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” In this lesson we will search the Scriptures to see if God reveals to us the basis of this equality. Why are the Father and the Son equal? 2. What did Jesus inherit by virtue of His divine Birth? Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Exodus 23:20, 21 “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” Jesus, as the Son of God, inherited His Father’s name. We also know that Jesus, who was the Angel that went before the Israelites, had the Father’s name back then. Hence, we conclude that Jesus inherited the Father’s name before Bethlehem, which means that Jesus’ Sonship predates the Incarnation. 3. What does “name” mean? Nature: ”Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.” Genesis 5:2 Authority: “I am come in my Father’s name.” John 5:43 (see John 10:25; Matthew 21:23) Character: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (see Ecclesiastes 7:1; Proverbs 15:30) By inheriting the Father’s name, Jesus inherited the Father’s God-nature or divine nature. 4. What does this fact make Christ? Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Christ is the express image of the Father. He has the same divine nature and life as His Father has. His sonship and inheritance qualified Jesus to be: a. Owner—“heir of all things”b. Creator—“by whom also he made the worlds”c. Image of and equal with God—“the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person”d. Sustainer—“upholding all things”e. Saviour—“himself purged our sins”f. Mediator—“sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” Does the Bible reveal to us that Christ was the image of God before the Incarnation? Revelation 12:7 “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels.” “Michael” means “one who is like God.” Again this confirms the fact that Jesus inherited this name in the days of eternity. 6. What else did Christ inherit? John 5:26 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” The very same life that the Father has, was given to His Son by inheritance. This is immortal, original life that the Son can give to those who believe ( John 17:2). 7. Does this make Jesus, a divine Being, worthy of our praise and worship? Hebrews 1:8, 6 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Colossians 2:9; 1:19 “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” The fullness of the Godhead, or divinity, dwells in the Son. He is fully divine because His Father is God. 8. Should we honor the Son as we honor the Father? John 5:23 “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” We honor and worship the Son as much as the Father. They are both of the same divine nature. We pay supreme honor to God when we honor and reverence His Son (Philippians 2:11). 9. Did the Jews understand that Jesus claimed equality with the Father? John 5:18 “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.” 10. Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus? John 10:33-36 “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” By claiming to be the Son of God, the Jews understood Jesus to mean that He is equal with God. Jesus also understood that. Jesus’ equality with the Father is based on His Sonship. Bible Study Lesson 6 HOLY SPIRIT—PART 1:GOD’S SPIRIT/MAN’S SPIRIT 1. In what image was man made? Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...” 2. Who was God talking to? Is there another divine Being in the image of God? The Bible describes Christ as the only divine being in God’s image. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:...” Hebrews 1:4 “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Unless the Bible reveals to us another divine Being in the image and likeness of God, we must conclude that, in Genesis 1:26, God the Father was talking to His Son. 3. What does the term “image” and “likeness” entail? Genesis 5:3 “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” We see here that Seth was in the likeness and image of Adam. That includes physical and spiritual aspect. 4. What is man (living soul) made of? Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” human body + human spirit = living human being 5. If man was made in the image of God, and man has two aspects, a spirit and a body, does that mean that God and Christ have a spirit and a bodily form? a. Does God have a bodily form? •Prophets saw God: –Jeremiah 1 Kings 22:19 “And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.” – Isaiah Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” (Also Daniel [Daniel 7:9, 13] and John [Revelation 4:2, 3] saw God) •Christ was in the form of God before the Incarnation: Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...” • Jesus said that His Father has a form which no man has seen: John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” (see also John 5:37) •We will see God: Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” b. Does God have a spirit? Father: John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (see also Matthew 10:20) Jesus: 1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” (see also Philippians 1:19) Divine Body/Form + Divine Spirit = Divine Being 6. Are there any parallels between “man and his spirit” and “God and His spirit?” 1 Corinthians 2:11 “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (“even so” means “in like manner”) The above text tells us that “what man’s spirit is to man” is the same as “what God’s spirit is to God.” Yet the text marks out a very important difference. While the spirit of man is “in him,” the spirit of God is not limited to the bodily form of God. 7. What does the spirit of man refer to? • Mind—Daniel 2:1 “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.” (Obviously Nebuchadnezzar could not sleep because he was thinking of the dream he had. In other words, his mind was troubled.) •Heart—Psalms 34:18 “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (see also Psalms 51:10, 17; 77:6; 78:8; Ezekiel 36:26) • Life/breath—Job 27:3 “All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;...” (Isaiah 38:16; see also Job 27:3; Revelation 11:11) The spirit of man is the personality, character and life of the man. It is one’s own person. 8. How does the Bible explain God’s Spirit? • Mind—compare Isaiah 40:13 with Paul’s quote in Romans 11:34. Isaiah 40:13 “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Romans 11:34 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” (see also 1 Corinthians 2:16) •Life—John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Romans 8:10 “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (see also Genesis 2:7; Job 27:3; 33:4; Revelation 11:11) Just like the relation between man and his spirit, so is the relation between God and His spirit. The spirit of God is His own personality, character, life and thoughts. 9. If the spirit of man is none other than his own presence/person, then can we say that the spirit of God is His own presence? Psalm 139:7 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Conclusion: God has a bodily form and has a spiritual presence. His spirit is not limited to His body. In the same way that your spirit is your own person, mind, and presence so is God’s spirit His own person, mind, presence. Bible Study Lesson 7 HOLY SPIRIT – PART 2: IDENTITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT In the previous lesson we established that God’s spirit is His own mind, life, presence and person. In this lesson we want to see where the Spirit proceeds from and the identity of the Spirit. 1. What did Jesus promise before He left? John 14:16, 17, 26 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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. … But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” 2. According to the Bible, whose spirit is the “Holy Spirit?”Compare the following two verses: Mark 13:11 “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye:for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” Matthew records it as follows: Matthew 10:19, 20 “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Holy Spirit = Spirit of the Father Also compare the following two verses: 2 Peter 1:21 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” While in his first letter talking about the same thing, Peter says: 1 Peter 1:10,11 “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” Holy Spirit = Spirit of Christ According to the previous four verses, we can safely conclude: Spirit of Christ = Holy Spirit = Spirit of your Father 3. How many holy spirits are there? Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” (See also 1 Corinthians 6:17; 12:13; Ephesians 2:18) 4. When we receive the Holy Spirit who do we receive? John 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” According to Jesus, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive both, the Father and the Son. 5. Do the Father and the Son possess the same Spirit/life? Romans 8:9, 10 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” In this verse, while talking about the same spirit, Paul uses the following terminologies: Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Christ. This tells us Paul believed that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit/ Life of both, the Father and the Son. 6. Where does the Spirit come from? John 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:...” 7. Why does the Spirit proceed from the Father? 1 Corinthians 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.” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” The Spirit (life of God) proceeds from the Father, because all things are of Him. He is the source of all things. (Please see Lesson 3 for further information.) 8. Through whom does this spirit come to us? Ephesians 2:18 “For through him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:...” The Spirit of the Father comes to us through Jesus, and through Him, it returns. 9. Who comes to us to be our Comforter? John 14:18, 19 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.” 10. How does the Father send Jesus to us? Is it Jesus in flesh or in Spirit? Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Note: Paul tells us in Galatians that when we receive the Spirit of Jesus, we cry “Abba Father.” Yet, he also tells us in Romans 8:15 that when we receive the Spirit we cry “Abba, Father.” This is another confirmation that the Holy Spirit is none other than the spirit of Jesus. Also compare Galatians 4:6 with Acts 3:26 11. When we receive the Spirit of Jesus, is that someone different to Christ? 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Paul told us, in 1 Corinthians 8:6, that there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, and in Ephesians 4:4, that there is one spirit. Yet Paul tells us in the above verse, that “the Lord is that Spirit.” If the Lord is Jesus and there is one spirit, then it is only logical and scriptural to believe that the Holy Spirit is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ in spirit form. Jesus Himself comes to us as a personal Comforter. The Spirit is the person of Jesus. 12. Does the Bible tell us that Jesus became a spirit? 1 Corinthians 15:45 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” 13. Why does the Bible sometimes say that when the Comforter comes both the Father and the Son will come, while in other places it says Jesus is that Spirit? 2 Corinthians 5:19 “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,...” John 14:10, 20 “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” 14. Who is it that knocks on the door of our heart? Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 15. What is the hope of Glory? Colossians 1:27 “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:...” Bible Study Lesson 8 THE FATHER AND SON IN THE SANCTUARY 1. Where can we look to study and learn more about God’s way?The Bible tells us that God’s way is in the sanctuary: Psalms 77:13 “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?” What does the sanctuary have to say about the Godhead? How many Beings does the sanctuary and its services reveal to us? 2. How many stages does the sanctuary service entail? The sanctuary service entailed three stages the courtyard, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. We will look at the three stages independently to see what we can learn from them. I. The Most Holy Place: a. What lessons can we learn from the Most Holy Place in regards to the Godhead? God gave strict instructions that only one being, other than Himself, is allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. 1. Jesus, our High Priest: Only the high priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place (Hebrews 9:6, 7). Jesus is our heavenly High Priest (Hebrews 4:14; 5:10; 6:20). 2. God the Father on the throne: God’s presence dwelt on top of the mercy seat -(Exodus 25:21, 22; Psalms 80:1). God the Father is the One sitting on the throne in the heavenly sanctuary (Revelation 4:2; 5:1-6). 3. Jesus presents our prayers to the Father: Only one being, the high priest, was able to take the incense in before the presence of God on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:11-13). The incense represents the prayers of the saints mingled with Christ’s righteousness (Psalms 141:2, Revelation 5:8; 8:3). It is Christ who receives our prayers and presents them to His Father mingled with His merit and righteousness. b. How many divine Beings does the Most Holy Place present us with? And who are They? A simple study of the Most Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary presents us with only two divine Beings, the Father and the Son, represented by the earthly high priest and God’s presence on the throne. II. The Holy Place: a. What lessons can we learn from the earthly Holy Place in regards to the Godhead? 1. Jesus is our heavenly Priest/High Priest: The priests or the high priest who officiated in the first apartment is a symbol or type of Christ, our High Priest. 2. God’s presence in the Holy Place: The Bible also tells us that in the earthly sanctuary God manifested His glory in both apartments. Exodus 33:9-11 “And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” (See also Exodus 29:42-44; 30:36; 40:34, 35; 1Kings 8:10, 11; 2 Chronicals 5:13, 14; 7:1, 2.) In Exodus 33:9-11, we have the example of the presence of two living beings—Moses, the Mediator, and God. Of course we know that Moses represents Jesus, the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Hence, this example points forward to the presence of both—Jesus, our Mediator and High Priest, and God the Father in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. 3. Table of Showbread: The Table of Showbread had two rows of bread on it, six in each row (Leviticus 24: 5, 6). These two rows represented the Father and the Son; here is why: • Two Crowns: The Table of Showbread had two crowns or a double crown on it (Exodus 25:2325). Why two? • Jesus is the Bread: The bread represents Jesus (John 6:51). But Jesus said “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Hence, the bread could represent the Father as well. That is why God instructed the priest to place the bread in two stacks (not 1 or 3), representing the Father and the Son, on a table, which had two crowns (not 1 or 3). • Jesus shares the Father’s throne: Revelation 3:21 tells us that Jesus shares His Father’s throne; hence, there are two divine Beings on the throne. • The Table of Shewbread with the two stacks on it is a fit representation of the Father and Son’s presence in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary in which Jesus fulfilled His ministration in the Holy Place. b. How many divine Beings does the earthly Holy Place present us with? And Who are They? A study of the earthly Holy Place proves the presence of only two Beings: Jesus, the Mediator/Priest, and God the Father. Again only two living Beings, not three. c. What about the Holy Spirit? Is it present in the Holy Place? In the Holy Place there are impersonal and inanimate elements that represent the Holy Spirit, such as the oil used to light the candle stick. But the point is, that nowhere do we see a third living being representing the Holy Spirit. The spirit is there, yes, but not bodily like the Father and the Son. The oil is a symbol of the spirit, yet the oil is used in the Holy Place to produce light, which is a symbol of Jesus (John 8:12, 9:5). II. The courtyard: a. What lessons can we learn from the courtyard in regards to the Godhead? The service in the courtyard involved three living beings: 1. Jesus is the Sacrifice: The sacrifice, whether a lamb or a bullock, etc. (Leviticus 4:3), represented Jesus, the Son of God (John 1:26, 39). 2. We are the sinners: The sinner, who slew the sacrifice with his own hands (Leviticus 4:4) represented the sinner who confesses his sins and offers up spiritual sacrifices (1Peter 2:5). 3. Jesus is the anointed Priest: The anointed priest took the blood into the sanctuary (Leviticus 4:5). This also represents Jesus, our High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14; 5:10; 6:20) b. How many divine Beings does the courtyard service present us with? These were the only living beings that were involved in the courtyard service. We only see one divine Being. c. What do the other priests represent? Of course, more than one priest officiated in the courtyard as well as in the Holy Place. These priests can represent one of two options: 1. a type of Christ 2. all the saints (The Bible calls the followers of Jesus a “royal priesthood” (1Peter 2:9). They represent the people working in cooperation with Divinity.) Regardless which one you believe to be the correct one, the point still stands, there is no living being representing the Holy Spirit. d. What about the Holy Spirit, is it represented in the courtyard? Again we see in the courtyard some representations of the Holy Spirit, but they are impersonal and inanimate unlike the representations for Jesus. For example: 1. fire on the altar of burnt offering—In Acts 2:3, we see the Spirit poured out in the appearance of cloven tongues of fire. 2. water in the laver—In the New Testament, water has been used to represent the Spirit (see John 4:14; 7:38, 39; Revelation 22:1). But the point still stands, nowhere do we see the Spirit represented as a living being like the Father and the Son. e. What is one of the roles of the high priest in the courtyard that relates to Jesus’ work on Earth? It is important to note that one of the roles or duties of the high priest was to teach the people (Ezekiel 44:23), which of course took place outside the tabernacle since none other than the priests could enter therein. In other words, the priest was not only to minister in the sanctuary before God, he was also to go out and teach the people. The fascinating thing is that the priests were to change their garments before going out to the people. They had to put on a different garment (or outfit) than the one they wore in the presence of God. Ezekiel 44:19 “And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.” It is here where I believe the type gives us a very interesting and illuminating insight. One of the duties of Christ, our High Priest, is to teach the people outside the sanctuary. Not only that, but according to the type, He is to wear a different outfit, or He is to appear in “another form,” different than while in the presence of God. And that is exactly what Christ is doing. While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above in His physical or bodily form, He is still—by His Spirit—the minister of the church on Earth. (Galatians 4:6). Jesus Has promised to be with us always, and never leave us or forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5). The Bible tells us that Jesus was with His followers “working with them” (Mark 16:20). As you can see, the earthly sanctuary presents us with only two divine Beings: the Father and the Son. There is no room for a third living being in the sanctuary. In addition to that, the sanctuary service teaches us that to fulfil the type, Jesus has to do what the priest did, namely: go out and teach the people, which He does through His own spirit, the Holy Spirit. The apostles understood that, hence Paul’s declaration that Jesus is the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 8:6; also please refer to Lesson 7 for further information.) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next The Sabbath School Lesson Is Lying to Us EVERY SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON IS LYING TO US ______________ DO NOT FORGET WE HAVE JESUITS IN THE SDA CHURCH When we grieve the Holy Spirit, whose Spirit do we grieve? NOTE:::Your soul depends on knowing this truth! (Please note that I am an Adventist and my intention is not attacking the Church but to wake up Adventists to save souls and restore the truth God gave His remnant) The Sabbath School lesson for March 13th says, “Read Ephesians 4:30. Here Paul uses an imperative and admonishes us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to grieve the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a personal being, not just a divine force. That is why He can be grieved.” Sounds believable but is it right? This is what the satanic doctrine of the Trinity teaches but it is NOT correct! Please allow me to give proof from the words of Christ through His prophet to show we are being lied to since a Jesuit brought the Trinity doctrine into the SDA Church. First, the Holy Spirit is NOT a personal being. A spirit is a spirit, NOT a being. A being has a spirit and the Holy Spirit belongs to the Father and Son. The Bible says “Spirit OF God”, NOT “god the spirit.” And no, it is NOT a divine force. This is said to try and discredit those with truth, yet this is another lie as those with truth do not teach this at all. What does Christ say through His prophet? Is it a being? A force? NO! It is the PRESENCE and POWER of GOD Himself! “In giving us HIS SPIRIT, God gives us HIMSELF,” — (E.G. White, 7T 273.1, 1902) “The DIVINE SPIRIT that the world's Redeemer promised to send, is the PRESENCE and POWER of GOD.” — (E.G. White, ST, Nov 23, 1891) NOT a force! The Holy Spirit is the mind, POWER AND PERSONAL PRESENCE OF THE VERY LIFE OF GOD that the Father sends through His Son to us. Or to put it another way to make sure this is clear; the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of the Father manifested through Jesus Christ, His only begotten son. This is not a separate person of the Godhead who is being sent, it is the very life of God coming to us through His Son. Ellen White wrote it this way… “They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet ONE IN SPIRIT, and heart, and character.” — (E.G. White, YI, Dec 16, 1897) “The Father gave his Spirit without measure to his Son, and we also may partake of its fulness.” — (E.G. White, RH, Nov 5, 1908) “The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God,” — (E.G. White, RH, April 5, 1906) And so she wrote: “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) “but it is the leaven of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, which is sent down from heaven, called the HOLY GHOST,” — (E.G. White, Ms36-1891) “The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency,” — (E.G. White, 14MR 84.3) And so when we grieve the Holy Spirit, whose Spirit do we grieve? Is it another being as the lie we have been told to match the satanic doctrine of the Trinity a Jesuit brought into the SDA Church or is it the Spirit of Christ? “O, HOW WE GRIEVE the pure, HOLY SPIRIT OF CHRIST with our defiling sins! We are not prepared for the appreciation of the holy communion with Christ and with one another unless we are cleansed by his efficacy.” — (E.G. White, RH, July 5, 1898) So when we grieve the Holy Spirit we grieve Christ Himself as it is His Spirit. For another example. Daniel wrote: “I Daniel was grieved in my spirit...” Daniel 7:15 Who was grieving? Another being or Daniel himself? IT WAS DANIEL! NOT another being! Make no mistake, we are being lied to. This is supported from the words of Christ through His prophet above. These are not my words. You either accept the above info as truth or you have to call Christ a liar as these words come from Him. ______________ NOTE: God raised the Adventist Church as non-Trinitarian. The Trinity doctrine was slowly brought into the Adventist Church long AFTER the death of Ellen White and the pioneers by a suspected Jesuit who is also a known Freemason. The idea of the Holy Spirit as another being was Satan's idea so he could get worship for his creation. The real truth is that the “Holy Spirit” is the power and presence of God and of Christ which can function independently of themselves like a third (but not a literal third) and is how “They” represent “Themselves” where they are not personally present. ______________ Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Is Jesus Christ GOD (Short version) Is Jesus God? The word God is used in two different ways in Scripture. Firstly, the word “God” is used to refer to the Supreme Being of the universe who is the ultimate source of all things. Every time the Bible refers to the one true God, it is referring to this supreme being who is the one that was before all else and from whom all life ultimately came. In this sense no one else is God. But the word God is also used to refer to someone who possesses the attributes of divinity, or the characteristics of God. Many times the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the begotten Son of the one true God the Father, and being the Son, He possesses the same attributes and characteristics as His Father. It is an obvious fact that every son inherits the nature of his father. And since Christ came out of the Father, He is of the very substance of His Father and hence has the same God nature of His Father as He possesses by birth all the attributes and characteristics of His Father. In fact, Hebrews 1:3 says He is the “express image of His person.” A son also and always rightfully takes the name of the father and so Christ as the only begotten Son of God has rightfully the same name. Note that Hebrews 1:1-9 says that Jesus is an heir who has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the angels and that name is God! So Jesus inherited His Father's name, character and divine nature in the same way a human son inherits the human nature and name of his parents. So Jesus is God because He is the Son of God. But He is not and cannot be “God the Father.” He is the “Son of God” just as the Bible so plainly states more than one hundred times. He is God's literal Son. To say that Jesus is God the Father is to say that the “Son is the Father” which means the Son is not really a Son and the Father is not really a Father. Or to put it another way, to say that Jesus is the Father because He has the same God nature as His Father is no different to saying that since my Father is Human and I am Human, therefore I must be my father! This is not good logic or theology and suddenly hundreds of Scriptures supposedly would no longer mean what they say at all. The truth is that Scripture means what it says and says what it means. God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of God. The Bible never calls Jesus “God the Son” as Trinitarians do and with very good reason. It is always the “Son of God” because that is who He is. Satan's plan is for us to deny the Father and Son as this is what John called antichrist. 1 John 2:22-23. He does not care if our belief is Trinitarian, Unitarian or other. As long as it denies Jesus is the literal Son of God which also denies God is a Father. Confessing Jesus is the Son of God is our only means to the Father and to deny this has eternal consequences. In conclusion, Jesus is not “a” God or “the” God but God only by nature through inheritance being the Son. Jesus is a divine being but He is not the supreme being. The Father is the supreme being and the source of all things and the life of the Father flows through the Son and out to all. Jesus is the channel through which all things come and why the Father has given all things into His hands. Only the Father is described as the one “of whom are all things.” He is the great Source of all. Jesus is not another source “of whom are all things.” That would make Him another God. Rather Jesus is described as the one “by whom are all things.” The Father has given Christ authority to rule over all things but this does not include the Father Himself. The Father is greater in authority and always will be. God the Father is the source of all things including His Son. Thus all things proceed from the Father; including Christ Himself, but it has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell (Colossians 1:19). So when we say “Jesus is God,” we have to be careful to state exactly what we mean. Christ is a divine being, but not the supreme being. When we speak of the Supreme Being there is only one such person and it is not Jesus. So there is but “one” God. Jesus is “not” God, He is the Son of God. He carries the “name” of God by virtue of His “inheritance.” And because He is the Son of God, He is “equal” with God. “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.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:6 “GOD IS THE FATHER OF CHRIST; CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. To Christ has been given an exalted position. HE HAS BEEN MADE EQUAL WITH THE FATHER.” — (E.G. White, 8T 268.3) “HE [CHRIST] WAS NOT THE FATHER but in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,” — (E.G. White, Lt8a, July 7, 1890) “The man Christ Jesus was not the Lord God Almighty,” — (E.G. White, Ms140, Sept, 1903) “Only one being in the universe besides the Father bears the name of God, and that is His Son, Jesus Christ.” — (J.E. White, Coming King, p. 33) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next What did the People Who Created the Trinity Doctrine Believe What did the People Who Created the Trinity Doctrine Believe? Starting with who created the Trinity doctrine… ATHANASIUS brought in the 3 in 1 idea in 325 AD long after the Bible was written. And what is now known as the THREE CAPPADOCIANS brought in the idea of the Holy Spirit as a third being in 381 AD also long after the Bible was written. ATHANASIUS and the THREE CAPPADOCIANS came from the Alexandria catechetical school, which revered ORIGEN who applied the ALLEGORICAL method of explaining Scripture, which was influenced by Plato and its strong point was PAGAN. “The Alexandria catechetical school, which revered Clement of Alexandria and ORIGEN, the greatest theologian of the Greek Church, as its heads, applied the ALLEGORICAL METHOD to the explanation of Scripture. Its thought was influenced by Plato: its strong point was [PAGAN] theological SPECULATIONS. ATHANASIUS and the THREE CAPPADOCIANS [the men whose Trinitarian views were adopted by the Catholic Church at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople] had been included among its members.” — (Hubert Jedin, Ecumenical Councils of the Catholic Church: an Historical Outline, 1960, p. 28) The pagan idea of the 3 in 1 god from ATHANASIUS resulted from studying the works of ORIGEN. “That being said, Athanasius is applying these standard arguments to a more highly developed NEO-PLATONIST PHILOSOPHY and a more cultural diverse society than any previous theologian had faced. Still, the INFLUENCE OF ORIGEN is felt throughout the work, particularly in Athanasius' opening statements about the existence (or rather, non-existence) of evil and the refutation of various dualistic cosmologies.” — (Jonathan Shelley, Critique of Athanasius Two Books against the Heathens) So what did ORIGEN teach and believe whose teachings educated ATHANASIUS? Origen wrote, “Could any man of sound judgment suppose that the first, second, and third days (of creation) had an evening and a morning, when there were as yet no sun or moon or stars? Could anyone be so unintelligent as to think that God made a paradise somewhere in the east and planted it with trees, like a farmer, or that in that paradise he put a tree of life, a tree you could see and know with your senses, a tree you could derive life from by eating its fruit with the teeth in your head? When the Bible says that God used to walk in paradise in the evening or that Adam hid behind a tree, no one, I think, will question that these are ONLY FICTITIOUS STORIES of things that NEVER ACTUALLY HAPPENED, and that figuratively they refer to certain mysteries.” — (Tadros Y. Malaty, Before Origen, p. 134) Origen also “believed the Holy Spirit was a feminine force, that Jesus was only a created being and Gnosticism taught that Jesus became Christ at his baptism but that he was never God. He was a just a good man with very high morals. He believed in the doctrine of Purgatory, transubstantiation, transmigration of the soul and reincarnation of the soul. He doubted the temptations of Jesus in Scripture and claimed they could have never happened. The Scriptures were not literal. Genesis 1-3 was a myth, not historical or literal, as there was no actual person named “Adam.” Based upon Matthew 19, a TRUE MAN OF GOD SHOULD BE CASTRATED, WHICH HE DID TO HIMSELF. He taught eternal life was not a gift, instead one must grab hold of it and retain it. Christ enters no man until they mentally grasp the understanding of the consummation of the ages. He taught there would be no physical resurrection of the believers.” — (See Dr. Ken Matto, Origen's Gnostic Belief System) Origen's beliefs clearly indicate that he was a Gnostic Greek Philosopher and not a true child of God. It is these insane beliefs that brought about the Trinity doctrine! The above is very brief information to prove a point. There is an abundance of history and evidence that reveals the Doctrine of the Trinity emanates straight from the dunghill of Roman decretals. Its origin is pagan and from Satan so he could achieve worship and have us deny Jesus is the literal Son of God, thus preventing entrance into the kingdom. It is philosophy, vain deceit and man's tradition. It denies Jesus, preaches another Jesus, another spirit and another Gospel. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

独一真神英文网站 One True God English Sites Disclaimer: The websites below are recommended for learning the truths of the One True God, the Son of God and other important truths of the Bible. However, we make no representation or warranty regarding the accuracy, reliability and validity of all the information and teachings on the sites. You are advised to discern and compare all things with the Scripture. Is the Trinity True or False https://www.trinitytruth.org/ Zion Messengers Ministry Philippines https://youtube.com/@zmmptv52012?si=dOXmflPaYQw4v3TT The Final Protest http://thefinalprotest.com/ Line of Truth http://lineoftruth.org/ SDA Pillars of Truth https://www.sdapillarsoftruth.co.uk/ Truthseeker Ministries https://www.truthseeker.church/ Present Truth https://presenttruth.info/ Restitution Ministries https://www.acts321.org/ Exposing Truth Ministry https://www.exposingtruthministry.com/ I Will Stand Upon My Watch https://iwillstanduponmywatch.com/media/ Judgement Hour https://judgmenthour.org/establishedbyforce/ Pioneering Again https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Kv_1yC-881D2kTEAGEj0Q Seventh-day Church of Revelation https://revelation.org/ First Commandment or Trinity? https://first-commandment-or-trinity.com/ Truth Of The Trinity https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TV5vlPdjOS3LOvuDfBkls3ichx3VNNNabc2Jvu96RL8/edit?usp=sharing

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Who is the Holy Spirit Who Is The Holy Spirit? Below is the truth about the Holy Spirit that God gave to our pioneers, which is a pillar of our faith. “The terms “Holy Ghost”, are a harsh and repulsive translation. It should be “Holy Spirit” (hagion pneuma) in every instance. This Spirit is the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Christ; the Spirit being the same whether it is spoken of as pertaining to God or Christ. But respecting this Spirit, the Bible uses expressions which cannot be harmonized with the idea that it is a person like the Father and the Son. Rather it is shown to be a divine influence from them both, the medium which represents their presence and by which they have knowledge and power through all the universe, when not personally present.” — (Uriah Smith, RH, Oct 28, 1890) Ellen White wrote it this way. “They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet ONE IN SPIRIT,” — (E.G. White, YI, Dec 16, 1897) They are ONE in Spirit because God gave HIS Spirit to HIS Son. “The Father gave HIS Spirit without measure to his Son,” — (E.G. White, RH, Nov 5, 1908) “In giving us HIS Spirit, God gives us HIMSELF,” — (E.G. White, 7T 273.1, 1902) And so the Holy Spirit is the mind, power, character and personal presence of the very life of God that the Father sends through His Son to us. Or to put it another way to make sure this is clear; the Holy Spirit is the presence and power of the Father manifested through Jesus Christ, His only begotten son. This is not a separate person of the Godhead who is being sent, it is the very life of God coming to us through His Son. And so the SPIRIT OF GOD comes to us through His only begotten Son. “The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God,” — (E.G. White, RH, April 5, 1906) Thus the HOLY SPIRIT is also called the SPIRIT OF CHRIST. “The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency,” — (E.G. White, 14MR 84.3) “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST. If we commune with God, we shall have strength and grace and efficiency.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) “but it is the leaven of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, which is sent down from heaven, called the HOLY GHOST, and that Spirit affects the heart and the character.” — (E.G. White, Ms36-1891) Did you ever wonder how we can have the Father and Son live in us? Because the HOLY SPIRIT is the Spirit of the FATHER AND SON. So who do we have in us when we have the HOLY SPIRIT? The FATHER AND SON! “BY THE SPIRIT the Father and the Son will come and MAKE THEIR ABODE WITH YOU. [John 14:23 quoted]” — (E.G. White, BEcho, Jan 15, 1893) This is the truth God gave His remnant Church. It is not another being which is a creation of Satan via the Catholic Church so he could achieve worship and steal souls! And so the “Holy Spirit” is the power and presence of God and of Christ which can function independently of themselves like a third (but not a literal third) and is how “They” represent “Themselves” where they are not personally present. Thus Ellen White continually identifies the “Holy Spirit” as being the “Spirit of Christ” which is also His Fathers Spirit. And so it is by the “Spirit of Christ” that we have access to the Father. “For through HIM [CHRIST] we both have access by ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18 As Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 Below is an overwhelming amount of evidence that proves who Ellen White was calling the Holy Spirit. _______________________________________________________ THE COMFORTER IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “This refers to the omnipresence of the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, called the COMFORTER.” — (E.G. White, 14MR 179.2) “Let them study the seventeenth of John, and learn how to pray and how to live the prayer of CHRIST. HE is THE Comforter. He will abide in their hearts, making their joy full.” — (E.G. White, RH, Jan 27, 1903) “As by faith we look to Jesus, our faith pierces the shadow, and we adore God for His wondrous love in giving JESUS THE COMFORTER.” — (E.G. White, 19MR 297.3) “CHRIST is to be known by the blessed name of COMFORTER. “The Comforter,” said Christ to His disciples, “which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you, [John 14:26 quoted]” — (E.G. White, Ms7-1902, Jan 26, 1902) “The SAVIOUR is our COMFORTER. This I have proved Him to be.” — (E.G. White, 8MR 49.3) ______________________________________________________ THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “JESUS comes to you as the SPIRIT of TRUTH; study the mind of the Spirit, consult your Lord, follow His way.” — (E.G. White, 2MR 337.1) “The SPIRIT of TRUTH is the only effectual teacher of divine truth; those who are taught of Him have entered the school of CHRIST. How must God esteem the race, that He gave His Son to die for them, and appoints HIS SPIRIT to be man's teacher and continual guide.” — (E.G. White, ST, Oct 24, 1906) “Christ was about to depart to His home in the heavenly courts. But He assured His disciples that He would send them another Comforter, who would abide with them forever. To the guidance of this Comforter all who believe in CHRIST may implicitly trust. HE is the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, but this truth the world can neither discern nor receive.” — (E.G. White, 12MR 260.1) “We cannot be with CHRIST in person, as were His first disciples, but HE has sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to guide us into all truth, and through this power we too can bear witness for the Saviour. [John 16:13 quoted]” — (E.G. White, Ms30, June 18, 1900) _______________________________________________________ THE SPIRIT BREATHED ON THE DISCIPLES WAS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “And when He had said this, He [Christ] breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: ... Before the disciples could fulfill their official duties in connection with the church, CHRIST breathed HIS SPIRIT upon them.” — (E.G. White, DA, p. 805) “JESUS is waiting to BREATHE upon all his disciples, and give them the inspiration of HIS sanctifying SPIRIT, and transfuse the vital influence from HIMSELF to his people.” — (E.G. White, ST, Oct 3, 1892) “JESUS is seeking to impress upon them the thought that in giving HIS HOLY SPIRIT He is giving to them the glory which the Father has given him, that He and his people may be one in God.” — (E.G. White, ST, Oct 3, 1892) _______________________________________________________ THE SPIRIT GIVEN AT PENTECOST WAS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “And when He had said this, He [Christ] breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained. The Holy Spirit was not yet fully manifested; for Christ had not yet been glorified. The more abundant impartation of the Spirit did not take place till after Christ's ascension. Not until this was received could the disciples fulfill the commission to preach the gospel to the world. But the Spirit was now given for a special purpose. Before the disciples could fulfill their official duties in connection with the church, CHRIST breathed HIS Spirit upon them.” — (E.G. White, DA, p. 805) “Outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost—Christ ascended on high, to take His position as our Advocate in the heavenly courts. Having reached His throne, HE SENT HIS HOLY SPIRIT, as He had promised, in response to the prayers of His disciples.” — (E.G. White, 10MR 98.1, 1899) “When the HOLY SPIRIT was poured out upon the early church, 'The whole multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.' The SPIRIT of CHRIST made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ.” — (E.G. White, GCDB, Feb 6, 1893) “The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to any age or to any race. CHRIST declared that the divine influence of HIS SPIRIT was to be with His followers unto the end. From the Day of PENTECOST to the present time, the Comforter has been sent to all who have yielded themselves fully to the Lord and to His service.” — (E.G. White, AA, 49.2) _______________________________________________________ THE SPIRIT THAT REPRESENTS CHRIST IS HIS OWN SPIRIT: “CHRIST came to our world, but the world could not endure His purity. He has gone to His Father, but HE has sent HIS Holy Spirit to REPRESENT HIM in the world till he shall come again.” — (E.G. White, Ms1, Jan 11, 1897) “CHRIST has left HIS Holy Spirit to be HIS REPRESENTATIVE in the world, to give celestial aid to every hungering, thirsting soul.” — (E.G. White, Lt84, Oct 22, 1895) “The Holy Spirit is the SPIRIT of CHRIST; it is HIS REPRESENTATIVE. Here is the divine agency that carries conviction to hearts. When the power of His Spirit is revealed through the servants of God, we behold divinity flashing through humanity.” — (E.G. White, 13MR 313.3, 1895) “Cumbered with humanity, CHRIST could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is [Christ] HIMSELF, divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. HE would REPRESENT HIMSELF as present in all places by HIS Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” — (E.G. White, Lt119, Feb 18, 1895) _______________________________________________________ THE THIRD GREAT POWER IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “CHRIST has given HIS SPIRIT as a divine POWER.” — (E.G. White, RH, Nov 19, 1908) “They have ONE God and ONE Saviour; and ONE Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” — (E.G. White, 9T 189.3, 1909) _______________________________________________________ THE THIRD PERSON IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “Sin could be resisted and overcome ONLY through the mighty agency of the third person [Spirit Of Christ] of the Godhead,” — (E.G. White, DA, 671.2) Who is the third person who is the “ONLY” one who can overcome sin in you? “There is no power in you apart from CHRIST, but it is your privilege to have Christ abiding in your heart by faith, and HE can OVERCOME SIN in you, when you cooperate with His efforts.” — (E.G. White, OHC, 76.5) “With HIS SPIRIT CHRIST sends a reconciling influence and a power that TAKES away SIN.” — (E.G. White, RH, May 19, 1904) “The prince of the POWER OF EVIL can ONLY be held in check by the power of God in the third person [Spirit Of Christ] of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.” — (E.G. White, Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, p. 37, 1897) “JESUS ALONE has power to SAVE FROM SIN, to free from the POWER OF EVIL; and to doubt him who has laid down his life for us, is to grieve and insult the Father,” — (E.G. White, RH, Feb 10, 1891) “The ONLY defense AGAINST EVIL is the indwelling of CHRIST in the heart through faith in His righteousness.” — (E.G. White, DA, 324.1) “They have ONE God and ONE Saviour; and ONE Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” — (E.G. White, 9T 189.3, 1909) THIRD PERSON = ONE + ONE + ONE = “the Spirit of Christ.” _______________________________________________________ THE THIRD PERSON IN THE HEAVENLY TRIO IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: The Holy Spirit is the third person who is? “The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency,” — (E.G. White, 14MR 84.3) “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) “but it is the leaven of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, which is sent down from heaven, called the HOLY GHOST,” — (E.G. White, Ms36-1891) “They have ONE God and ONE Saviour; and ONE Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” — (E.G. White, 9T 189.3, 1909) THIRD PERSON = ONE + ONE + ONE = “the Spirit of Christ.” _______________________________________________________ THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON AND IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “remember the words of CHRIST, remember that HE [CHRIST] is an unseen presence in the PERSON of the Holy Spirit,” — (E.G. White, DG 185.2, 1897) “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) “Lift up CHRIST in His power in the PERSON of the Holy Spirit. He is waiting for them to open the door and admit Him.” — (E.G. White, Lt59, March 29, 1899) _______________________________________________________ WHO WALKS UNSEEN THROUGH OUR HOMES AND STREETS? THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST: “We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.” — (E.G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894) So we can add to this quote CHRIST BY HIS SPIRIT. “We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, [CHRIST BY HIS SPIRIT] who is as much a person as God is a person, is WALKING THROUGH THESE GROUNDS, UNSEEN BY HUMAN EYES; ... HE HEARS EVERY WORD WE UTTER and knows every thought of the mind.” — (E.G. White, 2SAT, pp. 136, 137, 1899) QUESTION 1: Who was walking through those grounds, through our streets, and by our side and hears every word we utter? “CHRIST WALKS UNSEEN THROUGH OUR STREETS. With messages of mercy He comes to our homes.” — (E.G. White, MH, p. 107) “How few realize that JESUS, UNSEEN, IS WALKING BY THEIR SIDE! How ashamed many would be to hear His voice speaking to them, and to know that HE HEARD ALL THEIR FOOLISH, COMMON TALK!” — (E.G. White, 14MR 125.3) “Remember that JESUS IS BESIDE YOU WHEREVER YOU GO, noting your actions and LISTENING TO YOUR WORDS.” — (E.G. White, YI, Feb 4, 1897) QUESTION 2: Who is the person of the Holy Spirit who is unseen by human eyes? “The human agent, the seen instrument, is to preach the Word, and the LORD JESUS, THE UNSEEN, AGENCY, BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT is to make the Word efficacious and powerful.—Letter 105, 1900.” — (E.G. White, 2SM 18.3) “He [CHRIST] is an UNSEEN PRESENCE in the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,” — (E.G. White, DG, 185.2, 1897) _______________________________________________________ The answer never changes. There are a few quotes from Ellen White that can be misunderstood on their own as you have just seen, which a Jesuit used to bring the Trinity doctrine into the SDA Church. But letting SOP explain SOP, there is no mistaking she was referring to the SPIRIT OF CHRIST every time. She said: The Comforter is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the Spirit of truth is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the third person is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the third great power is the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost was the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, the Holy Spirit Jesus breathed on His disciples was HIS own SPIRIT, the Holy Spirit Christ sent to represent Himself was HIS own SPIRIT, the Heavenly trio is the Father, Son and SPIRIT OF CHRIST, and she reveals over and over again that there are only two divine beings. NOTE: God raised the Adventist Church as non-Trinitarian. The Trinity doctrine was slowly brought into the Adventist Church long AFTER the death of Ellen White and the pioneers by a suspected Jesuit who is also a known Freemason. The idea of the Holy Spirit as another being was Satan's idea so he could get worship for his creation. The real truth is that the “Holy Spirit” is the power and presence of God and of Christ which can function independently of themselves like a third (but not a literal third) and is how “They” represent “Themselves” where they are not personally present. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next The Heavenly Trio The Heavenly Trio There are three living persons of the heavenly trio. Seeming Objection: “The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be “the express image of His person.” “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Here is shown the personality of the Father. “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers --the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ.”-- Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. (1905)” {Evangelism, pp. 614, 615} Short Answer: The heavenly “trio” are: God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and their Holy Spirit (not a trio of gods!). There is one God, and one Lord and one Spirit (the Spirit of Christ), not a trio of co-equal divine beings (see Romans 8:9-11). Detailed Answer: The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is invisible to us mortals. The only way we can know God (His Godhead) is if He is manifested. Christ inherited the Godhead (divinity) of His Father and is therefore “all the fullness of the Godhead manifested” All the fullness that dwells in the Son of God is His birthright and inheritance (Hebrews 1:4). This divine fullness dwells in Christ because it pleased the Father (Colossians 2:9; 1:19). Christ possessed, by divine birth, the glory of His Father (Hebrews 1:3; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6. “In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His character.” {E. G. White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7, p. 907} “The love of God, manifested toward fallen man in the gift of his beloved Son, amazed the holy angels. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The Son was the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person. He possessed divine excellence and greatness. He was equal with God. It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell.” {E. G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy Vol. 2, p. 38} But, what of the Spirit? From the Bible we learn a very important definition: “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” Isaiah 40:13 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” Romans 11:34 “You have the Bible. Study it for yourself. The teachings of the divine directory are not to be ignored or perverted. The divine mind will guide those who desire to be led.” {E. G. White, This Day with God, p. 188} “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” John 16:13 “The same divine mind that is working upon the things of nature is speaking to the hearts of men and creating an inexpressible craving for something they have not. The things of the world cannot satisfy their longing. The Spirit of God is pleading with them to seek for those things that alone can give peace and rest--the grace of Christ, the joy of holiness. Through influences seen and unseen, our Saviour is constantly at work to attract the minds of men from the unsatisfying pleasures of sin to the infinite blessings that may be theirs in Him.” {E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 28} “Character is influence. Christ's work was to draw minds into sympathy with his own divine mind.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, September 29, 1891 par. 14} “Fallen men, in one sense, could not be companions for Christ, for they could not enter into sympathy with his divine nature, and hold communion with the world's Redeemer.” {E. G. White, The Signs of the Times, December 11, 1879 par. 3} Now we are plainly given an explanation of “his divine nature”: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Christ is not here referring to his doctrine, but to his person, the divinity of his character.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par. 12} So when Christ was talking about the Spirit, He was actually referring “to his person, the divinity of his character”! We saw earlier that this is also called “his own divine mind” and “his divine nature”. How easy it is to harmonize the Testimonies when we allow them to be their own key! Since Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, He has inherited that spirit, that mind, that divine character (nature) from His Father. They both share the one Spirit (Romans 8:9); this spirit is the mind of God and Christ. ““Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” This is close language. Who can stand the test? The word of God is to us a daguerreotype of the mind of God and of Christ, also of man fallen, and man renewed after the image of Christ, possessing the divine mind.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, June 22, 1886 par. 4} (Daguerreotype means: a picture image or exact copy) Speaking of God’s mind, or God’s thoughts, we read this wonderful description: “By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible.” {E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 19} “Who is Christ?--He is the only begotten Son of the living God. He is to the Father as a word that expresses the thought,--as a thought made audible. Christ is the word of God.” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, June 28, 1894 par. 9} Having established this fact now let us read on and see what Mrs. White continues to say (with more context): “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio. In the name of these three powers,--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will cooperate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ. … He who has continual faith in the Father and the Son has the Spirit also. The Holy Spirit is his comforter, and he never departs from the truth.” {E. G. White, Bible Training School, March 1, 1906} The Comforter is sent to us “in all the fullness of the Godhead”. This fullness we have seen to be the Godhead and divinity (the divine mind) of the Father which His Son inherited and manifests to us by sending us His spirit which He inherited from the Father. Since the Spirit is the very life and soul of Christ (John 10:15, 17; Luke 23:46), then when He sends it to us we partake of its fullness. “The Father gave His Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness.” {E. G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 477} There is a flow of glory/life from the Father to the Son coming to us through the channel of the Spirit. Two divine beings send us their life and glory by the channel of the Spirit (not by a third divine being), thus she says we are to have faith in those two divine beings, not three “He who has continual faith in the Father and the Son has the Spirit also”. As by faith we trust the Father and the Son they (not someone else) will abide with us by their very own personal presence, which is their holy spirit. “By the Spirit the Father and the Son will come and make their abode with you.” {E. G. White, Bible Echo, January 15, 1893 par. 8}. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23 “The sinner then stands before God as a just person; he is taken into favor with Heaven, and through the Spirit has fellowship with the Father and the Son.” {E. G. White, Selected Messages Book 3, p. 191} This is the true meaning of the above statement when we allow the Testimonies to explain themselves. But, what of the expression “There are three living persons of the heavenly trio”? We should also ask ourselves: What is the time and the place (and the situation) that called forth the above Testimony? From the context (Dated November 1905 and found in Special Testimonies Series B #7 , pp. 60-64) we learn that it is regarding the issue of Dr. Kellogg and the teaching he was promoting. For example: “Letters have come to me with statements made by men who claimed to have asked Dr. Kellogg if he believes the testimonies that Sister White bears. He declares that he does, but he does not.” {Ibid, p. 60} “The ministers of God are being drawn in and deceived by his science.” {Ibid, p. 61} “I am so sorry that sensible men do not discern the trail of the serpent. I call it thus; for thus the Lord pronounces it.” {Ibid, p. 61} In plain words which cannot be mistaken, Sister White declared that Kellogg had joined forces with Satan! “God does not accept Dr. Kellogg as His laborer, unless he will now break with Satan.” {Ibid, p. 64} She refers to a doctrine he was teaching as “advanced scientific ideas.” She says that right after quoting the Bible passage speaking of the “depths of Satan” (see Revelation 2:24). What was Kellogg teaching that caused Ellen White to use this strong language? What doctrine was Kellogg trying to teach that originates with Satan? While most are aware of Kellogg’s pantheistic teachings, many are not aware of Dr. Kellogg’s Trinitarian theology (see appendix I p. 25 for evidence). Sister White was refuting the Trinitarian theology that Kellogg had come to believe and promote, namely, God the Father – God the Son – God the Holy Spirit (Yes, he was teaching a trinity of 3 co-eternal, co-equal god-beings!). From this we immediately know her statement cannot counter and teach the trinity both at the same time! It is in this context that we are to read that statement talking about the heavenly trio. Mrs. White would be contradicting herself if she condemned Kellogg’s doctrine and then went on to teach the very same thing! Therefore, the statement she makes cannot be taken to teach a trinity. She must mean something, the meaning of which does not lie on the immediate surface. We know she and Kellogg did not teach the same thing, so what can she possibly mean? This statement needs to be set in its correct order. In Ellen White’s original handwritten manuscript, it was corrected to read: “Here are the living three personalities of the heavenly trio…” So she doesn’t say “three living persons of the heavenly trio” but she actually says “the living three personalities of the heavenly trio”. Some may be inclined to think there is no difference between the two, but the prophet herself saw a difference in that she corrected it. She obviously thought there was enough difference to warrant a correction, lest she be misunderstood (as is the case today) to be teaching a trinity. If these two words both conveyed the same meaning in her mind, the change would not have been necessary. Allowing the Testimonies to interpret themselves, here are the “heavenly trio” as defined by her: “They have one God and one Saviour; and one Spirit--the Spirit of Christ--is to bring unity into their ranks.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 9, p. 189} “Christ tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter, and the Comforter is the Holy Ghost, "the Spirit of truth, which the Father shall send in My name." … This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter.” {E. G. White, Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 179} “Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” {E. G. White, Manuscript Releases Vol.14, p. 23} As can be plainly seen from above, the spirit is “the spirit of Christ”; it is Christ’s very own omnipresence by which He (not someone else) represents Himself “as the Omnipresent”. As in all her other writings, she maintained that God the Father and His Son were the only divine beings. “The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead”, “The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead” {Evangelism, p. 615}. This is her consistent belief in ALL her writings. This was the belief of the entire denomination at that time. Having established this faith of two beings who are the fullness of the Godhead, she then said the “Comforter is the spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead” meaning the comforter brings us the fullness of the Godhead which is the Father and the Son. This Comforter is defined by her: “This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter” which she described as Christ Himself “divested of the personality of humanity”. This is the third “personality” according to her own definitions; not another separate divine being. There was no “third being” - no third separate divine individual. She sums it all up by affirming: “The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” {E. G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898 par. 2} “The divine Spirit that the world's Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God.” {E. G. White, Signs of the Times, November 23, 1891} Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Is Jesus Honoured Equal to His Father IS JESUS HONOURED EQUAL TO HIS FATHER? (Philippians 2:6) "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be EQUAL WITH GOD" (John 5:21-23) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so ALSO the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, JUST AS they honor the Father. Whoever DOES NOT honor the Son DOES NOT honor the Father who sent Him. (Matthew 11:27) ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN HANDED TO ME BY MY FATHER, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Matthew 28:18) "And Jesus came and said to them, “All AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME." (Luke 10:22) "ALL THINGS have been HANDED OVER TO ME BY MY FATHER, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (John 3:35) The Father loves the Son and has GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HAND". (John 16:15) "ALL THINGS that the Father has ARE MINE: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it to you." (John 17:10) All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. (John 13:3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, (Ephesians 1:20-23) that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at his Right Hand in the Heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Christ Appeared to the Patriachs and Prophets I’m citing a few passage below where the “Almighty” appeared or spoke directly to the patriarchs and the prophets: Gen 35:11 And God said unto him[Jacob], I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; Gen 48:3 “3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, Exodus 6:1-3 “Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. 2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. Exodus 33:11 “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” Exodus 33: 19-23 "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live……And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. The Almighty appearing to the patriarchs are generally understood to mean that the Father appeared to them... And yet, we are told that no one has seen God: John 1:18 “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 5:37 “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, NOR SEEN HIS SHAPE.” 1 Tim. 6:13-16. “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things...who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE; to whom be honor and power everlasting." The way I reconcile these seemingly contradictory statement is that Christ acted in Father's stead as the God of the Old Testament. both Scripture and SOP (if you believe in the writings of Ellen White) make it pretty clear. One thing most people overlook is that the “Almighty” that spoke to Moses on the Mount Sinai actually appeared to him as the “Angel of the Lord.” "Behold, I send an ANGEL before thee, to keep thee in the way, and TO BRING THEE INTO THE PLACE WHICH I HAVE PREPARED. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for HE WILL NOT PARDON YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS: FOR MY NAME IS IN HIM." (Ex. 23:20,21) "And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an ANGEL OF THE LORD in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, THE VOICE OF THE LORD came unto him, Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold." (Acts 7:30-32) "This is he [Moses], that was in the church in the wilderness with the ANGEL which SPAKE TO HIM in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us." (v. 38) [mine] “Christ is the One THROUGH WHOM God has AT ALL TIMES revealed Himself to man. “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.” 1 Corinthians 8:6. “This is he [Moses], that was in the church in the wilderness with the Angel which spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us.” Acts 7:38. This Angel was the Angel of God’s presence (Isaiah 63:9), THE ANGEL IN WHOM WAS THE NAME OF THE GREAT JEVOHAH (Exodus 23:20-23). THE EXPRESSION CAN REFER TO NO OTHER THAN THE SON OF GOD.” {PP 761.4} “The priest went through the ceremony of his official work. He took the child in his arms, and held it up before the altar. After handing it back to its mother, he inscribed the name “Jesus” on the roll of the first-born. Little did he think, as the babe lay in his arms, that it was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. The priest did not think that this babe was the One of whom Moses had written, “A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you.” Acts 3:22. HE DID NOT THINK THAT THIS BABE WAS HE WHOSE GLORY MOSES HAD ASKED TO SEE. But One greater than Moses lay in the priest’s arms; and when he enrolled the child’s name, he was enrolling the name of One who was the foundation of the whole Jewish economy. {DA 52.2} Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

All trinity studies Previous Download Next Joseph H. Waggoner on the Trinity Joseph H. Waggoner on the Trinity Once again, these are the words of one of the founding members of the Seventh day Adventist Church and the truth the Adventist Church was founded on. “It will no doubt appear to many to be irreverent to speak thus of the doctrine of a trinity. But we think they must view the subject in a different light if they will calmly and candidly examine the arguments which we shall present. We know that we write with the deepest feelings of reverence for the Scriptures, and with the highest regard for every Scripture doctrine and Scripture fact. But reverence for the Scriptures does not necessarily embrace reverence for men's opinions of the Scriptures. It is not our purpose to present any argument on the doctrine of the trinity, further than it has a bearing on the subject under consideration, namely, on the Atonement. And we are willing, confidently willing to leave the decision of the question with all who will carefully read our remarks, with an effort to divest themselves of prejudice, if they unfortunately possess it. The inconsistencies of Trinitarians, which must be pointed out to free the Scripture doctrine of the Atonement from reproaches under which it has too long lain, are the necessary outgrowth of their system of theology. No matter how able are the writers to whom we shall refer, they could never free themselves from inconsistencies without correcting their theology. Many theologians really think that the Atonement, in respect to its dignity and efficacy, rests upon the doctrine of a trinity. But we fail to see any connection between the two. To the contrary, the advocates of that doctrine really fall into the difficulty which they seem anxious to avoid. Their difficulty consists in this: They take the denial of a trinity to be equivalent to a denial of the divinity of Christ. Were that the case, we should cling to the doctrine of a trinity as tenaciously as any can; but it is not the case. They who have read our remarks on the death of the Son of God know that we firmly believe in the divinity of Christ; but we cannot accept the idea of a trinity, as it is held by Trinitarians, without giving up our claim on the dignity of the sacrifice made for our redemption. And here is shown how remarkably the widest extremes meet in theology. The highest Trinitarians and lowest Unitarians meet and are perfectly united on the death of Christ—the faith of both amounts to Socinianism. Unitarians believe that Christ was a prophet, an inspired teacher, but merely human; that his death was that of a human body only. Trinitarians hold that the term “Christ” comprehends two distinct and separate natures: one that was merely human; the other, the second person in the trinity, who dwelt in the flesh for a brief period, but could not possibly suffer, or die; that the Christ that died was only the human nature in which the divinity had dwelt. Both classes have a human offering, and nothing more. No matter how exalted the pre-existent Son was; no matter how glorious, how powerful, or even eternal; if the manhood only died, the sacrifice was only human. And so far as the vicarious death of Christ is concerned, this is Socinianism. Thus the remark is just, that the doctrine of a trinity degrades the Atonement, resting it solely on a human offering as a basis. A few quotations will show the correctness of this assertion.” — (J.H. Waggoner, The Atonement In The Light Of Nature And Revelation, 1884, pp. 164, 165) Socinianism is the heretical tenets of Faustus Socinius, a 16th-century Italian theologian, denying the divinity of Christ, the existence of Satan, original sin, the atonement, eternal punishment, and explaining sin and salvation in rationalistic terms. “We trust that we have shown to the full conviction of every one who “trembles at the word” of the Lord, that the Son of God, who was in the beginning, by whom the worlds were made, suffered death for us; the oft-repeated declarations of theological writers that a mere human body died are, by the Scriptures, proved untrue. These writers take the doctrine of a trinity for their basis, and assume that Christ is the second person in the trinity, and could not die. Again, they assume that death is not a cessation of life; and between the two unscriptural assumptions they involve themselves in numerous difficulties, and load the doctrine of the Atonement with unreasonable contradictions. We would not needlessly place ourselves in opposition to the religious feelings of any class, but in order to clear the doctrine of the Atonement from the consequences of these assumptions, we are compelled to notice some of the prominent arguments presented in favor of the doctrine of a trinity. In the “Manual of Atonement,” 1 John 5:20 is quoted as containing most conclusive evidence of a trinity and of the Supreme Deity of Christ. It is there claimed that he is called “the true God and eternal life.” The whole verse reads thus: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” A person must be strongly wedded to a theory who can read this verse and not see the distinction therein contained between the true God and the Son of God. “We are in him that is true.” How? “In his Son Jesus Christ.” The distinction between Christ and the true God is most clearly shown by the Saviour's own words in John 17:3: “That they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Much stress is laid on Isa. 9:6, as proving a trinity, which we have before quoted, as referring to our High Priest who shed his blood for us. The advocates of that theory will say that it refers to a trinity because Christ is called the everlasting Father. But for this reason, with others, we affirm that it can have no reference to a trinity. Is Christ the Father in the trinity? If so, how is he the Son? or if he is both Father and Son, how can there be a trinity? for a trinity is three persons. To recognize a trinity, the distinction between the Father and Son must be preserved. Christ is called “the second person in the trinity;” but if this text proves a trinity, or refers to it at all, it proves that he is not the second, but the first. And if he is the first, who is the second? It is very plain that this text has no reference to such a doctrine.” — (J.H. Waggoner, The Atonement In The Light Of Nature And Revelation, 1884, pp. 167-169) Note that the answer to Isaiah 9:6 lies in the correct Hebrew translation. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible explains, “The Chaldee renders this expression, 'The man abiding forever.' The Vulgate, 'The Father of the future age.' Lowth, 'The Father of the everlasting age.' Literally, it is the Father of eternity.” Thus in the Hebrew text, the phrase is literally “the Father of Eternity,” and so Isaiah 9:6 is not saying Christ is the Father but He is the Father of all time to come. Young's Literal Translation and the Darby Bible are two of very few that translated it correctly. The Greek Septuagint that Jesus and the apostles quoted from does not even contain this phrase so one wonders which is correct. “The divinity and pre-existence of our Saviour are most clearly proved by those scriptures which refer to him as “the Word.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3. This expresses plainly a pre-existent divinity. The same writer again says: “That which was from the beginning,… the Word of life.” 1 John 1:1. What John calls the Word, in these passages, Paul calls the “Son,” in Heb. 1:1-3. “God… hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power.” In other places in this letter this same exalted one is called Jesus Christ. In these passages we find the divinity or “higher nature” of our Lord expressed. Indeed, language could not more plainly express it; therefore it is unnecessary to call other testimony to prove it, it being already sufficiently proved. The first of the above quotations says the Word was God, and also the Word was with God. Now it needs no proof—indeed it is self-evident—that the Word as God, was not the God whom he was with. And as there is but “one God,” the term must be used in reference to the Word in a subordinate sense, which is explained by Paul's calling the same pre-existent person the Son of God. This is also confirmed by John's saying that the Word “was with the Father.” 1 John 1:2; also calling the Word “his Son Jesus Christ.” Verse 3. Now it is reasonable that the Son should bear the name and title of his Father, especially when the Father makes him his exclusive representative to man, and clothes him with such power—“by whom he made the worlds.” That the term God is used in such a sense is also proved by Paul, quoting Ps. 45:6, 7, and applying it to Jesus. “But unto the son, he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever,… therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Heb. 1:8, 9. Here the title of God is applied to the Son, and his God anointed him. This is the highest title he can bear, and it is evidently used here in a sense subordinate to its application to his Father. It is often asserted that this exalted one came to earth and inhabited a human body, which he left in the hour of its death. But the Scriptures teach that this exalted one was the identical person that died on the cross; and in this consists the immense sacrifice made for man—the wondrous love of God and condescension of his only Son. John says, “The Word of life,” “that which was from the beginning,” “which was with the Father,” that exalted, pre-existent One “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled.” 1 John 1:1, 2.” — (J.H. Waggoner, The Atonement In The Light Of Nature And Revelation, 1884, pp. 152-154) “As before remarked, the great mistake of Trinitarians, in arguing this subject, is this: they make no distinction between a denial of a trinity and a denial of the divinity of Christ. They see only the two extremes, between which the truth lies; and take every expression referring to the pre-existence of Christ as evidence of a trinity. The Scriptures abundantly teach the pre-existence of Christ and his divinity; but they are entirely silent in regard to a trinity. The declaration, that the divine Son of God could not die, is as far from the teachings of the Bible as darkness is from light. And we would ask the Trinitarian, to which of the two natures are we indebted for redemption? The answer must, of course, be, To that one which died or shed his blood for us; for “we have redemption through his blood.” Then it is evident that if only the human nature died, our Redeemer is only human, and that the divine Son of God took no part in the work of redemption, for he could neither suffer nor die. Surely, we say right, that the doctrine of a trinity degrades the Atonement, by bringing the sacrifice, the blood of our purchase, down to the standard of Socinianism.” — (lbid, p. 173 and Review and Herald, November 10, 1863, vol. 22, p. 189) Previous All trinity studies Next Back to top

本事工旨在传扬独一真神和祂独生儿子耶稣基督的现代真理。这是启示录三天使所传的永远福音之基础与核心。作为基督复临安息日会信徒，我们站在圣经和预言之灵的平台上，坚决反对全球总会(GCSDA)基本信仰第二条所提倡的三位一体或三合一神论的谬道。只有正确认识神圣父子和祂们之间的灵，我们才可能完成耶稣所托付的使命。 独一真神中文事工 信仰 独一真神中文事工坚定和致力于遵循基督复临安息日会先贤於1889年实践和相信的基本原则。 按此 了解更多。 事工简介和任务 本事工旨在传扬独一真神和祂独生儿子耶稣基督的现代真理。这是启示录三天使所传的永远福音之基础与核心。作为基督复临安息日会信徒，我们站在圣经和预言之灵的平台上，坚决反对全球总会(GCSDA)基本信仰第二条所提倡的三位一体或三合一神论的谬道。只有正确认识神圣父子和祂们之间的灵，我们才可能完成耶稣所托付的使命。 上帝兴起基督复临安息日会，并引导本会先锋们查考圣经以发现末世的真理。祂赐给怀爱伦作先知的恩赐，因此她的著作有一定的权威。尽管如此，圣经还是我们唯一的信仰和行为准则。预言之灵的著作与圣经一致，为开启圣经奥秘之小光。 现代的全球总会旗下的基督复临安息日会官方组织已经离道反教，接受了巴比伦的神，取了她的核心教义为自己的基本信仰。本事工与现今的安息日会组织没有任何关系。我们回到了先知和先贤们的真安息日会信仰上，持守上帝所赐予他们最纯洁、最原始的真理，并恢复这些被人遗忘的亮光。 我们相信独一真神就是父，是万物的本源。耶稣基督是上帝在太初创造万物之前所亲生的儿子，而非被造。基督承受了父的神性与生命，藉着祂们共有的灵，父子俩得以合而为一。父藉着儿子创造宇宙。基督乃是父与受造之物之间的唯一管道，祂将来自父上帝的一切生命福惠传给宇宙众生。我们也藉着祂来到赞美敬拜并事奉父上帝。 圣灵乃父上帝的灵，也是基督的灵，所以圣灵是父与子之间共有的灵，使祂们能合而为一。基督升天之后所赐下的圣灵，是基督本身的位格，同在，力量，生命，心志等，而并非另一位完全不同的生物。基督现今藉着祂的灵与我们各人同在。凡接受祂灵的人，基督就住在他里面，彰显出祂完美的品格，并使众信徒合而为一。基督在我们心里，以基督的心为心，就是我们荣耀的盼望。 本事工的成员们深受上帝的圣灵感动，蒙上帝的呼召向全世界的华人传扬三天使的信息，好让所有华人都能听到永远的福音。我们都应当敬畏上帝，将荣耀归给祂，因祂施行审判的时候已经到了，应当敬拜那创造天、地、海和众水泉源的。我们也必须离开巴比伦和所有堕落的教会，从她们出来，免得与她一同有罪，受她所受的灾殃。星期日法令，那兽印记的大逼迫即将来临，我们必须对上帝忠心到底，持守真安息日，拒绝伪安息日。 我们相信近几年来的疫情并一切防疫措施，特别是施打毒苗针，都是撒旦的杰作。他要藉着他的邪术来迷惑全世界的人，为了达到他多个邪恶的目的并为将来的大逼迫铺路。我们坚决反对并拒绝施打毒苗针，为了保护我们的身体为上帝神圣的殿，不被有害和不洁净的物质所玷污。 本事工坚决反对并从未教导以下的道理： 1. 三位一体神论 (Trinity Doctrine) 2. 人生来是罪人 (Born Sinner) 3. 守犹太人节期 (Feast Keeping) 4. 地平说 (Flat Earth Theory) 5. 圣名运动 (Sacred Name Movement) 6. 北方王是教皇权（King of the North as the Papacy) 7. 星期三受难 （Wednesday Cruxifiction) 8. 上帝不消灭人（God does not kill) 9. 阴历安息日/月相安息日（Lunar Sabbath）