Did Ellen White believe in the trinity? Not one of the Adventist pioneers believed in the
trinity. Her husband James White denounced the trinity as “unscriptural”. Why did Ellen White never correct her husband if she was a trinitarian? All of the pioneers of the early Seventh-day Adventist church were non-trinitarian and strangely enough she never reproved them of their beliefs and none of them reproved her or said she was teaching error. This is strange indeed. What did Ellen believe regarding the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit? Her writings will be our witness.
“Like our Saviour, we are in this world to do service for God. We are here to become like God in character, and by a life of service to reveal Him to the world. In order to be co-workers with God, in order to become like Him and to reveal His character, we must know Him aright. We must know Him as He reveals Himself.
A knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in character.
This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of their fellow men. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this life and for the life to come.
“The knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.
Through a knowledge of Him are given unto us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3.
“This is life eternal,” said Jesus, “that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” John 17:3.” [Ministry of Healing Page 409-410]
The basis and standard of our faith is to be the word of God [Rom 10:17]. It is recommended of course to study the word of God, and then test the prophets to see whether they speak according to that word [Isaiah 8:20]. Plenty of scripture is quoted in this study. “Despise not prophesying, prove all things, hold fast to that which is good” [1 Thess 5:19-21]
There are a few statements in Ms. Whites writings that seem to suggest she was trinitarian. She spoke regarding the subject of God and his personality saying:
“There are some, who upon accepting erroneous theories, strive to establish them by collecting from my writings statements of truth, which they use, separated from their proper connection and perverted by association with error.” .[—Letter 136, April 27, 1906, to Brethren Butler, Daniels, and Irwin.]
This statement was in reference to the book “The Living Temple” written by John Harvey Kellogg which contained Pantheistic teachings. The teaching of pantheism is that God was in everything and was everything; an impersonal being.
Why is the truth about the personality of God so important? Because “this is the first and great commandment that the Lord our God is one Lord”. [Mark 12:29] This is eternal life that we might know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent [John 17:3-5] And that Jesus Christ is the son of God; and this is the rock[statement] upon which the true church is built [Matt 16:13-18]. The foundation of our faith. The foundation of the church. The first and great commandment, eternal life to know him and his son. [John 17:3]
This is a subject which needs “study to shew thyself approved unto God” [2 Tim 2:15]. We need to be sure we are not teaching “the commandments and doctrines of men” [Col 2:22]. This doctrine is an important doctrine. It is the foundation of our faith.[Matthew 16:13-18]
We are told:
“In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years?” (Ellen White, Review & Herald,May 25, 1905)
There are many pillars of our faith, there is also a solid platform of truth to rest our feet on. A rock on which to rest; a foundation. Please notice this was written in 1905. She said that the last 50 years [1855-1905] would be accounted as error. She also said that books of a new order would be written and that the pioneer’s books would be lightly regarded.
“Let Pioneers Identify Truth.—when the power of God testifies as to what is truth that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after-suppositions,
contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time, God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit.
A few are still alive who passed through the experience gained in the establishment of this truth. God has graciously spared their lives to repeat and repeat till the close of their lives, the experience through which they passed even as did John the apostle till the very close of his life. And the standard-bearers, who have fallen in death, are to speak through the reprinting of their writings. I am instructed that thus their voices are to be heard. They are to bear their testimony as to what constitutes the truth for this time. Preach the Word,p. 5.” (Ellen White, 1905, Counsels to Writers and Editors, pages 31, 32)
Many today tell us that “Ellen White accepted the trinity doctrine late in her life”. That she brought the doctrine into the church privily. Is that how Ellen White rebuked error? Did she rebuke her husband and the rest of the pioneers by bringing the trinity teaching into the church privily? Anyone who has read her writings should know this is not the way of Ms. White. Let us see what Ellen White says about doctrines that are brought into the church privily.
“Modern spiritualism, resting upon the same foundation, is but a revival in a new form of the witchcraft and demon worship that God condemned and prohibited of old.… Peter, describing the dangers to which the church was to be exposed in the last days, says that as there were false prophets who led Israel into sin, so there will be false teachers, “who privily shallbring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.… And many shall follow their pernicious ways.” 2 Peter 2:1, 2. Here the apostle has pointed out one of the marked characteristics of spiritualist teachers. They refuse to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. Concerning such teachers the beloved John declares: “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.” 1 John 2:22, 23. Spiritualism, by denying Christ, denies both the Father and the Son, and the Bible pronounces it the manifestation of antichrist.” (Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 686)
Spiritualism denies the “Father and Son” or “God and Christ.” Our pioneers identified the doctrine of the trinity as spiritualism. Her husband James White himself said “The way spiritualizers have disposed of or denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is first using the old unscriptural Trinitarian creed.” (James White, January 24, 1846, The Day Star)
Where did the Trinity come from then if our pioneers didn’t believe in it and Ellen White didn’t accept it?
“Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, page 255)
Let’s examine her writings and then decide from the weight of the evidence.
Q] Are there three beings in heaven that are to be exalted?
“Let the brightest example the world has yet seen be your example, rather than the greatest and most learned men of the age, who know not God, nor Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” (Ellen White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898)
Note: That there are only 2 beings ALONE that are to be exalted. She uses a key word “Alone” in quoting here from [John 17:3-5]. Another significant note is the fact that it was written in 1898 which is three years after the release of the book “Desire of Ages”. Many believe that she was trinitarian by this time.
Q} Some say there were three persons in the work of creation because the Hebrew word for “God” which is “elohim” is a plural word. And many use Genesis 1:26 to say that the title “God” is referring to three people in this verse. Were there 3 people in the work of creation?
“After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose,… And now God said to His Son, “Let us make man in our image.” “(Ellen White, The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, pages 24, 25)
Note: The words spoken by Elohim were spoken by the Father to his Son. The Father and Son carried out their purpose. So the title “God” in this verse refers to the Father alone. And the Father is speaking to His Son.
And if the Holy spirit is a third being where was he in this matter? This is quite different than what is taught by many today. The title “God” is used to refer to the Father alone almost entirely throughout scripture, and there is not a single verse in the bible where the title is used to refer to three beings.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
God the Father of whom are all things created the worlds by our Lord and His Son Jesus Christ.
Q} Were there three people to lay the plan of salvation?
“The plan of redemption was arranged in the councils between the Father and the Son.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, May 28, 1908 par. 12)
“Even the angels were not permitted to share the counsels between the Father and the Son when the plan of salvation was laid. “(Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, page 429)
“The plan of salvation devised by the Father and the Son will be a grand success.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, June 17, 1903 par. 2)
“Before the fall of man, the Son of God had united with his Father in laying the plan of salvation.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, September 13, 1906 par. 4)
“The great plan of redemption was laid before the foundation of the world. And Christ, our Substitute and Surety, did not stand alone in the wondrous undertaking of the ransom of man. In the plan to save a lost world, the counsel was between them both; the covenant of peace was between the Father and the Son.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, December 23, 1897, par. 2)
Zec 6:13 …the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
Note: Both means 2, not 3. Why were the angels mentioned but not a third divine being?
Q} Who was the only co-worker who entered the counsel of God ?
“By Christ the work upon which the fulfillment of God’s purpose rests, was accomplished. This was the agreement in the councils of the God-head. The Father purposed in counsel with his Son that the human family should be tested and proved,…” (Ellen White, The Gospel Herald, June 11, 1902, par. 6)
“In order that the human family might have no excuse because of temptation, Christ became one with them. The only being who was one with God lived the law in humanity, descended to the lowly life of a common laborer, and toiled at the carpenter’s bench with his earthly parent.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, October 14, 1897 par. 3)
“The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. ‘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.’ John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. ‘His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6. His “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2. And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: “The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting.… 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.” Proverbs 8:22-30.” (Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 34)
She refers to Christ’s Father as “the Sovereign of the universe”. She does not state that Christ is the Sovereign with him. She also quote Proverbs 8:22-30 attributing this to Christ. Christ says of himself. “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:… When he prepared the heavens, I was there:…Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” (Pro 8:22-25) ”
And he is daily our Father’s delight. This is his “beloved Son in whom he is well pleased” [Matt 3:17].
“By the power of His love, through obedience, fallen man, a worm of the dust, is to be transformed, fitted to be a member of the heavenly family, a companion through eternal ages of God and Christ and the holy angels.…” (Manuscript 21, Feb. 16, 1900. Ellen White, The Upward Look, page 61)
“Let the brightest example the world has yet seen be your example, rather than the greatest and most learned men of the age, who know not God, nor Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The Father and the Son alone are to be exalted.” (Ellen White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898)
Note: There is not a third spirit being called “God the Holy Spirit” nor is there a second being called “God the Son”. Only one being in this universe could enter into the purposes and counsels of God and God is “The Father”. Christ is the only begotten Son of God. “To us there is one God the father” [1 Cor 8:6]. Jesus Christ entered his counsels.[Zech 6:13] 2Jn 1:9 says “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Both means two not three. Nowhere in scripture does it say “trinity”. The bible does not say “One God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”. John says the Father and Son dwell in us “and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” [1 John 1:3]
Q} Who were the first, second, and third highest beings in heaven before the fall?
“The Son of God was next in authority to the great Lawgiver. He knew that His life alone could be sufficient to ransom fallen man.” (Ellen White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, page 9, also in Lift Him Up, page 24)
“Satan’s position in heaven had been next to the Son of God. He was first among the angels.” (Ellen White, Selected Messages, book 1, page 341)
1) God
2) Son of God
3) Satan
“Satan, the chief of the fallen angels, once had an exalted position in Heaven. He was next in honor to Christ.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, February 24, 1874)
“Speaking of Satan, our Lord says that “he abode not in the truth.” He was once the covering cherub, glorious in beauty and holiness. He was next to Christ in exaltation and character. It was with Satan that self-exaltation had its origin. He became jealous of Christ, and falsely accused him, and then laid blame upon the Father. He was envious of the position that was held by Christ and the Father, and he turned from his allegiance to the Commander of heaven and lost his high and holy estate.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, October 22, 1895)
Q] A doctrine is pervading in the church today that Christ became the begotten son when he took on humanity and not before that. Was he begotten before taking human nature?
“A complete offering has been made; for “God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son,”—not a son by creation, as were the angels, nor a son by adoption, as is the forgiven sinner, but a Son begotten in the express image of the Father’s person, and in all the brightness of his majesty and glory, one equal with God in authority, dignity, and divine perfection. In him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, May 30, 1895)
Compare this with the following:
“Before Christ came in the likeness of men, he existed in the express image of his Father.” (Ellen White, Youth’s Instructor, December 20, 1900)
“The dedication of the first-born had its origin in the earliest times. God had promised to give the First-born of heaven to save the sinner.” {Ellen White The Desire of Ages, p. 51}
“The Eternal Father, the unchangeable one, gave his only begotten Son, tore from his bosom Him who was made in the express image of his person, and sent him down to earth to reveal how greatly he loved mankind. “(Ellen White, Review and Herald, July 9, 1895, par. 13)
“Christ is the Son of God in deed and in truth and in love, and is the representative of the Father as well as the representative of the human race.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, page 83)
“Modern spiritualism, resting upon the same foundation, is but a revival in a new form of the witchcraft and demon worship that God condemned and prohibited of old.… Peter, describing the dangers to which the church was to be exposed in the last days, says that as there were false prophets who led Israel into sin, so there will be false teachers, “who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.… And many shall follow their pernicious ways.” 2 Peter 2:1, 2. Here the apostle has pointed out one of the marked characteristics of spiritualist teachers. They refuse to acknowledge Christ as the Son of God. Concerning such teachers the beloved John declares: “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.” 1 John 2:22, 23. Spiritualism, by denying Christ, denies both the Father and the Son, and the Bible pronounces it the manifestation of antichrist. “(Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 686)
“The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by him as his right. This was no robbery of God. “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way,” he declares, “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.”” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par. 7}
Note: Christ was in the express image of God before an angel was created. He was begotten before the world was. Set up from everlasting. Many say the words from Proverbs 8:22-30 were spoken by “wisdom”[Pro 8:1]. Ms. White said Christ spoke those words. The bible says “Christ is the wisdom of God” [1 Cor 1:24, 30]. He was the only begotten of God, therefore the conclusion is He is the only one who can say that he was “brought forth” by God. And to deny this is antichrist doctrine. [1 John 2:22] And it also demeans the love of God [John 3:16, 1 John 4:9]. Did God send his only begotten son, or a co-eternal, co-equal being who was only playing the part of the son. I believe that if God said he sent his only begotten Son that He really means He did it. Do we want to imagine that one of three beings only took the role of the Father? And another the Son? And another role-played a spirit being? That sounds like 3 co-eternal actors in the greatest show in history. It makes God a liar. To see the Son is to see the father.
Think about this. If I sent my friend to die for you. How much love would that be? Not very much. On the other hand my Son, who I look at, who is my express image, a little me. Who adores me, who looks at me with his blue eyes and willingness to learn, and says abba, father, daddy, and is daily my delight. For me to send him to die for you. Would you then begin to picture my love for you? Think about how a trinity demeans Gods love. It is very subtle but it greatly demeans his love. And the love of God draws men to repentance. “This is love that he gave his only begotten son” [1 John 4:9]. He did not His co-eternal friend.
“Satan is determined that men shall not see the love of God which led Him to give His only-begotten Son to save a lost race; for it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance.” {E. G. White, Selected Messages Book 1, p. 156}
Q} Was Christ equal with God?
“The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by himself that Christ should be equal with himself; so that wherever was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. His word was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son he had invested with authority to command the heavenly host.” (Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, January 9, 1879; also in Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, pages 18, 19)
Note: Make no mistake. Christ was MADE equal. “All power and authority” in not just earth but heaven as well, “was given by the Father”. He was ordained by the Father that he should be “equal”. This takes nothing away from Christ. Christ was in all things partaker of the Godhead. Some say for some reason that we by saying he was given authority demean the son because they believe he was co-equal and possessed all power and authority of his own self. We should let scriptures be the judge of that.
“The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each. [Hebrews 1:1-5 quoted.] 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. All the counsels of God are opened to His Son.” (Ellen White,Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, page 268)
Note: He has been MADE equal by his father, with his father. When Christ speaks it is as though his father is speaking. Hebrews 1:3 says “by inheritance has he obtained a name” as she quoted above. Like the Son will inherit his father’s name. So is Christ able to speak on behalf of the only true God the father [John 17:3-5]. “He has declared his fathers name” [John 17:26]. By inheritance he possesses the very nature and form of God, just as any human by inheritance possesses the very nature and form of human.
Q} Does Ellen White speak out about misunderstandings about God?
“There were those who were active in disseminating false ideas in regard to God. Light was given me that these men were making the truth of no effect by their false teachings. I was instructed that they were misleading souls by presenting speculative theories regarding God.… This is only one of the instances in which I was called upon to rebuke those who were presenting the doctrine of an impersonal God pervading all nature, and similar errors.” (Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, pages 292, 293)
Note: Ellen White knew who God was. In many instances she had to rebuke those presenting false doctrines on this subject. If her husband or the other pioneers were speaking out against the trinity or “three in one or one in three God” she would have rebuked it, just as she did with John Harvey Kellogg. Ellen White would never bring in such an important doctrine quietly or privily as is being taught in the church today.
Q} Christ possessed original, unborrowed, underived life. Does that mean he was not begotten?
“In Him [Christ] was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a free gift if he will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour.” (Ellen White, Signs of the Times, April 8, 1897; also in Selected Messages, book 1, pages 296, 297)
Note: Please note that we also will possess original, unborrowed, underived life. This does not mean that we are not adopted sons of God. And this does not mean Christ was not the only begotten, nor does it mean he was not given it by his father.
Joh 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.
Original, unborrowed, underived life was given to him by his father. And we also can possess original, unborrowed, underived life through Christ. It is amazing how these quotes that have been used to support a Trinity doctrine were pulled from there natural connection to support the trinity when there is so much evidence that she did not believe in a trinity.
“All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all.” {E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 21}
Note the river of life.
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
God >>>to the lamb>>> to us. And we receive that original unborrowed, underived, life. Again notice the channel, the flow, the river.
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
God is the “Of Whom” Christ is the “By Whom”. The life flows from God, by Christ it is given to us.
Q} Did Christ have any special power on earth? Was he a man?
“Those who claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin, cannot believe that He really took upon Himself human nature. But was not Christ actually tempted, not only by Satan in the wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to manhood? In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man the perfect example, and through the ample provision Christ has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust.” (Ellen White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, page 929).
“Christ’s overcoming and obedience is that of a true human being. In our conclusions, we make many mistakes because of our erroneous views of the human nature of our Lord. When we give to His human nature a power that it is not possible for man to have in his conflicts with Satan, we destroy the completeness of His humanity.” (Ellen White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, page 929)
Note: Jesus Christ walked on water. He had access to the same power we do. Some say that he came here as God, that he had power we do not. He was in the form of God. He was God in nature, character, and purpose. But made like his brethren in all points. And if Christ can overcome temptation, we certainly can. Anyone who denies this denies Christ came in the flesh and this is the spirit of Antichrist [1 John 4:3].
“The obedience of Christ to His Father was the same obedience that is required of man. Man cannot overcome Satan’s temptations without divine power to combine with his instrumentality. So with Jesus Christ; He could lay hold of divine power.He came not to our world to give the obedience of a lesser God to a greater, but as a man to obey God’s holy law, and in this way He is our example. The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God’s power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset.” (Ellen White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, page 929
Note: Make no mistake. Jesus was not a lesser God, he is the son of the only true God. He was not “God the son” like trinitarians believe. Nowhere in scripture or the spirit of prophecy is that written. He was as much a man as me and you in respect to his human nature. We can partake of the divine nature [2 Pet 1:4] and are told to “ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give”. [Matt 10:8]. And this can only happen when we know God and Christ, and who and what the holy spirit is; as well as it’s power, and we accept the fullness of it by faith. We read that “The same obedience of Christ to his father is REQUIRED of man”; “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” [1 John 5:3]
“When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith—faith in God’s love and care—that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God.” (Ellen White, Desire of Ages, page 336)
Note: We can do nothing of ourselves. He is our example and if we have the faith of Jesus [Rev 14:12] we will be able to calm the storm as well with the power that is from the Father alone.
Q} Was Jesus Christ divine and human when he came to earth?
“Divinity and humanity are blended in him who has the spirit of Christ.” (Youth’s Instructor, June 30, 1892 par. 3; also in Sons and Daughters of God, page 24)
Note: Please understand that yes he possessed divinity when human, the Holy Spirit is the fullness of His divinity, yet that Spirit was placed in a human body. We also are to be partakers of divinity. We have his spirit. He did not have a power that we didn’t have as many today teach. Divinity and humanity are to be blended in those who have the spirit of God.
Q} Did Christ die? If Christ is the immortal God he cannot die.
“He humbled himself, and took mortality upon him. As a member of the human family, he was mortal.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, September 4, 1900)
“Men need to understand that Deity suffered and sank under the agonies of Calvary.…” (MS 153, 1898). (Ellen White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 7, page 907)
A divine being died. However, it is important to understand that God is immortal, therefore the only way in which Christ could die is to come here as a man, and trust only in the power of His Father alone.
“Jesus said to Mary, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” When He closed His eyes in death upon the cross, the soul of Christ did not go at once to heaven, as many believe, or how could His words be true —“I am not yet ascended to my Father”? The spirit of Jesus slept in the tomb with His body, and did not wing its way to heaven, there to maintain a separate existence, and to look down upon the mourning disciples embalming the body from which it had taken flight. All that comprised the life and intelligence of Jesus remained with His body in the sepulcher; and when He came forth it was as a whole being; He did not have to summon His spirit from heaven.” (Ellen White, S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pages 1150, 1151)
Note: Many think that only part of Christ died. And the other part was in heaven because God cannot die. The truth is that if the only true God the Father [John 17:3-5] could die; he would have been first to lay down His life. He is life, and it was only His only begotten son who could come here, who could give his life back to the Father. A good Father would rather die than let his son go through the agony. It hurt our Father more than anything to give His only begotten son. The Son knew he had to go because his Father is the only immortal God. Christ died fully. There was no separate existence of him anywhere else in the universe as is taught by Trinitarians.
“The Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father, is truly God in infinity, but not in personality.” (Ellen White UL 367 )
In other words there is only one being who is God in personality. Christ and God are distinct persons.
“Christ is one with the father, but Christ and God are two distinct personages”(RH June 1, 1905)
“When Jesus had opened before his disciples the fact that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die at the hands of the chief priests and scribes, Peter had presumptuously contradicted his Master, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee.” He could not conceive it possible that the Son of God should be put to death. Satan suggested to his mind that if Jesus was the Son of God he could not die.” (Ellen White, Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, page 231)
Note: Satan suggested to Peter that Christ could not die. He has also suggested it to many in the churches today.
Q} According to Ellen White who is the comforter?
“The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, page 49)
“The nights are long and painful, but Jesus is my Comforter and my Hope.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, page 296)
“Christ is everything to those who receive Him. He is their Comforter, their safety, their healthfulness. Apart from Christ there is no light at all.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, page 372)
“There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart.… The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, October 26, 1897)
“Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power.… Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.” (Ellen White, Desire of Ages, page 671)
Note: Ellen White used the words “third person of the Godhead”. This must be understood in the context and language of her time. And with the words used around her quotes. Christ is that spirit [John 14:18, 1 Cor 3:17]. But he is obviously “Another comforter”. This is what Ellen White says.
“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 Himselfdivested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, pages 23, 24; written February 18 and 19, 1895)
The word “person” can be also understood to refer to manifestation. The word “Godhead” means divinity. The meaning of the saying can be understood the “third manifestation of divinity(the Godhead)”. The term “God” does not mean “Godhead”. The bible tells us that God has a Godhead. “His…Godhead.”(Romans 1:20). He is singular; one being; and He has a “Godhead”. He is the Father; and He is well pleased that in His Son should all the fullness of His Godhead(divinity) dwell. [Colossians 2:9]
Note: He is represented by the Holy Spirit, which is Christ in you, Christ in the angels, it is Jesus Christ Himself. Not a third divine holy spirit being that was a co-equal with the Father and Son. Sister White said the Holy Spirit is Christ Himself, divested(stripped) of humanity. “Every spirit that confesses Jesus Christ came in the flesh is the “spirit of truth”[1 John 4:1-6] “He [Jesus] would represent Himself by His Holy Spirit.” She did not say that he was another being. She said person. And the word person was used in a much different way. The intent of the word is “personality” or “presence” or “power” And the spirit is “another” different personality of the Godhead. But it is none other than Christ in you himself. Not a literal being possessing you but it is Christ is in you. Let us go with the weight of the evidence. He represents himself. Joh 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
On June 11, 1891, Ellen White wrote to Brother Chapman in regard to his belief that the Holy Spirit is a separate being from Christ, namely, the angel Gabriel. She wrote, in part:
“Your ideas of the two subjects you mention do not harmonize with the light which God has given me. The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery not clearly revealed, and you will never be able to explain it to others because the Lord has not revealed it to you. You may gather together scriptures and put your construction upon them, but the application is not correct.… It is not essential for you to know and be able to define just what the Holy Spirit is. 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.” “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” [John 14:16, 17]. This refers to the omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter.… There are many mysteries which I do not seek to understand or to explain; they are too high for me, and too high for you. On some of these points, silence is golden.… I hope that you will seek to be in harmony with the body.… You need to come into harmony with your brethren.” (Ellen White, June 11, 1891, Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, pages 175-180
Note: Christ is the comforter. This she proved him to be. Ellen White was in harmony with her brethren in 1891.
Q} What does Satan want to do in regards to the comforter?
“The reason why the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die is that the enemy has brought influences of a discouraging nature to bear upon trembling souls. He has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter, as one who reproves, who warns, who admonishes them, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” (Ellen White, Review & Herald, August 26, 1890, also in Reflecting Christ, page 21)
Note: The comforter is Christ himself and the enemy is seeking to keep us from knowing who our comforter is. Many pray for the spirit, but they do not know him. So they pray but they cannot receive. They have a misunderstanding of it. Ellen White called the spirit a part of a “heavenly trio”. It is a trio of power. The father is the only God, the son is the one by whom all things are created. The firstborn, the only begotten son of God, and the spirit is the mind, and will of our creator which proceeds from God and is the spirit of the Son, and we also have the spirit of God.[1 Cor 2:12-14] for it flows forth from God. It is the power of God. Which is the mind of Christ [1 Cor 2:16]. Christ in you is the hope of glory [Col 1:27]. With the seed of God in you, you will no longer commit known or willful sin, because he cannot commit sin [1 John 3:9], and Christ is that seed. So let us worship God the creator of heaven and earth [Rev 14:7], the only true God [John 17:3], the one God the father[1 Cor 8:6] and honor his son for in so doing you honor the father.[John 5:23] because he came in his fathers name [John 5:47] and has by inheritance obtained a name [Heb 1:3] And as the word, came forth from God as the only begotten, declared God, and therefore was God in substance, form, nature [John 1:1-18, Phi 2:5-8, Heb 1:1-8]. He was brought forth by his father before the world began [Pro 8:22-30] and before anything made was made. He was not created, but all creatures were made by him [Col 1:15-16] Was ordained to be made equal to his Father in heaven and earth. [Matt 28:18]. And dwells in us with his Father by their spirit. [John 14:23] And freely gives us that spirit that we can partake of the divine nature. [2 Pet1:3-4]. You are invited to have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and his Son [1 John 1:3]. And the communion we have is the communion of the Holy Spirit. A trio of power. The Father God, his word, the only begotten son, the one who was made flesh, and his spirit which proceed forth from him. [1 John 5:7] And these three bear record in heaven. And many “Believeth not the record that God gave his son” [1 John 5:10]
Whosoever abides in the doctrine of Christ has two. Both the father and son. [2 John 1:9]. Truly “There are certain men who crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [ Jude 4]. Ellen White was not one of them.
“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath of course, would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement. The leaders would teach that virtue is better than vice, but God being removed, they would place their dependence on human power, which, without God, is worthless. Their foundation would be built on the sand, and storm and tempest would sweep away the structure.” [ Selected Messages Book 1-Page 204, 205]
The pillars of our faith that were sustained by the pioneers over the 50 years before 1905 are now accounted as error. Books of a new order have been written. A new organization established. And it is definitely a system of intellectual philosophy to believe that 1 equals 3 or 3 equals 1. Because it is not common sense. The foundation of this new organization and movement is built on sand as you can see denying the rock on which God’s church is built, and leaving the foundation; the true God is removed and another stands in his place. They cannot have His spirit because they don’t know what it is. So their dependence is on human power alone. And many do not like to talk about this doctrine because Satan has sought to destroy any chance at a true understanding and “knowledge of Him” which would give us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness”. [2 Pet 1:3, 4] “This is eternal life to know the only true God and Jesus Christ”.[John 17:3]
Answering Evangelism Pages 615-617
