Three Highest Powers

Content 8: Three Highest Powers

“Putting The Pieces Together” article.

three highest powersWe are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,–the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, –and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.–Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, p. 51. (1905) {Evangelism, p. 617}

The three highest powers in heaven are not here defined but merely listed. There is no question that there are three powers in heaven (Father, Son and the Holy Ghost), but this statement tells us nothing more than that. Does this statement tell us what the relationship between these three powers is? To use this statement to prove a trinity of 3 co-equal, co-eternal beings would be poor scholarly work. The three great powers can be correctly understood in light of what Ellen White means. She clearly understood and taught that there is a Father, and a Son and a Holy Spirit. That makes three. But it is the relation of those three that is further clarified in other places (see answer on p.13). For example, it is clearly stated that God is the Father of Christ:

God is the Father of Christ; Christ is the Son of GodTo Christ has been given an exalted position. He has been made equal with the Father. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 8, p. 268}

Elsewhere she explains the relation with the Spirit, it being the spirit of Christ:

Let them be thankful to God for His manifold mercies and be kind to one another. 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}

She tells us clearly the spirit of Christ is the soul of His life. It is the very life of His own life.

Christ declared that after his ascension, he would send to his church, as his crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take his place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit,–the soul of his life, the efficacy of his church, the light and life of the worldWith his Spirit Christ sends a reconciling influence and a power that takes away sin. {E. G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904 par. 1}

Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. {E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 827}

The breath of Christ is His spirit and life (John 20:22). It is in no way talking about another individual being. This is the correct and consistent understanding of “the three highest powers in heaven.” The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Book: “Putting the Pieces Together” 

(1) “the heavenly Trio”
(2) “there never was a time”
(3) “life, original, unborrowed, underived”
(4) “eternal heavenly dignitaries”
(5) “as much a person”
(6) “Holy Spirit is a person”
(7) “third person of the Godhead”
(8) “three highest powers”
(9) “gave themselves”
(10) “three holiest beings”

Appendix I
(Dr. Kellogg & the Trinity)

Appendix II
(How many divine beings?)

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