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AN OPEN LETTER
TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Proof that the Holy
Spirit Exists
HE IS A DEFINITE
PERSON AND THE THIRD
PERSON OF THE GODHEAD
INTRODUCTION
Reasons offered why there is no Holy Spirit:
1 - There can be no Holy Spirit because apostate
Christians in earlier centuries believed there was a Holy Spirit.
2 - There can be no Holy Spirit because some earlier
Adventists did not believe there was a Holy Spirit.
3 - We can have the spirit (small "s") of
Christ. That is the only "holy spirit" there is.
4 - Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, and it is
His spirit within us that is the only "Holy Spirit." There is
no separate person that is a Holy Spirit.
The reasons are inadequate:
Both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy say there
is a Holy Spirit, that He is an actual Person, and that He is the Third
Person of the Godhead. That should be sufficient evidence.
We should accept the plain words of Inspired
Scripture and stop there—and not speculate. Eve fell in the Garden of
Eden because she was trying to probe into that which God had not
revealed instead of obediently accepting that which He had plainly said.
Many today are in a similar danger.
Objections 1 and 2, above, tell us what uninspired
men believed or did not believe. That is no evidence. All that matters
is what the Word of God—the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy—says.
Roman Catholics believe that Jesus was born, lived,
was crucified, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. Are all
those Bible facts wrong, just because Catholics believe them?
As for Adventists, they have believed lots of
erroneous things that Ellen White had to correct.
In contrast, millions of godly Christians, down
through the ages, did believe in the divine Personhood of the Holy
Spirit. And many faithful Christians today believe it. Why? because it
is clearly given in Scripture.
Objections 3 and 4, above, are based on the erroneous
concept that there is no Holy Spirit separate from Christ’s
"spirit."
But the Inspired Writings are clear that it is
through the Holy Spirit, a separate Person, that Christ dwells in our
hearts. Of course, this is a mystery. Which of us dares probe further
into the mystery of the Godhead, further than They have revealed
Themselves to us? When does speculation become blasphemy—or the sin
against the Holy Spirit?
Really now, how brave are you? Why not accept the
Word of God as it reads?
— 1 —
EVIDENCE FOR
THE PERSONHOOD
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Here is a wealth of evidence, from the Word of God,
that the Holy Spirit is a distinct Individual, a Person separate from
Christ and a full member of the Godhead:
1 - Christ’s statements on Thursday night of
Passion Week clearly establish that the Holy Spirit is a Person separate
from Himself. We will briefly examine this passage, because it is so
important in describing the Holy Spirit and His work. The parallel
passage is Desire of Ages, 668:5-672:1.
In the Upper Room, after taking communion, Jesus
introduces the promise of the Holy Spirit by explaining that He will be
leaving and will not return until the Second Advent (cf. DA
663:1).
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if
[it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be
also."—John 14:1-3.
Jesus explains that they will be able to pray to
Him, even though He is in heaven; and that, if they are obedient, He
will send them a most wonderful Gift which will provide them with
the help they will so much need.
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask
any thing in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
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."—John
14:13-17.
Christ had been a comforter to His disciples for
several years. But, henceforth, through "another
Comforter," someone different than Himself, He would now be
able to provide them with that comfort. That "coming,"
prior to His Second Advent, would have to be done through the Holy
Spirit.
"Comfort" is a key word here. Jesus
promised to come to them with comfort; yet He tells them that it will be
through "another Comforter," someone else, that the comfort
would be coming. It would be the other Person, the Holy Spirit, who
would be bringing that comfort.
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come
to you."—John 14:18.
Indeed, Jesus tells them that both He and the Father
will come unto them.
"Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how
is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
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 14:22-23.
"These things have I spoken unto you, being
[yet] present with 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."—John 14:25-26.
Again, Jesus mentions the paradox that, because He
is going away, they will be comforted.
"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid. 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."—John 14:27-28.
They now leave the Upper Room and start toward the
Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus continues explaining about the coming of
the Comforter. He emphasizes that they are to abide in Him by obeying
His Word; and the Comforter will dwell with them, guiding,
instructing, and encouraging them.
"If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in
My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in
His love."—John 15:10.
Once again, Jesus mentions that He will definitely be
leaving—and will be gone. But He immediately connects it with the
wonderful promise that the other comforter, the Holy Spirit, will take
His place.
"But now I go My way to Him that sent Me; and
none of you asketh Me, Whither goest Thou? But because I have said these
things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you
the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him
unto you."—John 16:5-7.
While Jesus was with them, He not only brought
instruction and encouragement, He also brought correction and warnings. While
Jesus is away in heaven, the Holy Spirit will be on earth and do the
same work.
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they
believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye
see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is
judged."—John 16:8-11.
And the Holy Spirit would provide them with
additional instruction.
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye
cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He
will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but
whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will show you
things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and
shall show [it] unto you."—John 16:12-14.
Reading the above passages, is it not obvious that
Jesus is talking about a Person different than Himself—a Person on
earth while He, Jesus, is in heaven?
Once again, Jesus speaks about His coming departure—how
He will be in heaven and we can pray to Him there.
"And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in
My name, He will give [it] you . . I came forth from the Father, and
am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the
Father."—John 16:23, 28.
In the fully inspired commentary on this entire
passage (Desire of Ages, chapter 73), Ellen White speaks of this
Comforter, the Holy Spirit, as a separate Person—and refers to Him as
"He," indicating He is a separate Person. The Holy Spirit is
sent by Christ, but is not Christ. He is "Christ’s
Spirit," in the sense He is sent by Christ, but He is not Christ.
Between pages 669 and 671, "He," Him," "His,"
or "Himself" is used 25 times in reference to the Holy Spirit.
But that is understandable; for the King James correctly translates
those pronouns as "He," because the Greek of the passages
about the Holy Spirit are in the masculine, not the neuter. The Holy
Spirit is not Christ’s attitude, feelings, or spirit—but a separate
Person.
And this Person is a Member of the Godhead.
"Before this the Spirit had been in the world;
from the very beginning of the work of redemption He had been moving
upon men’s hearts. But while Christ was on earth, the disciples had
desired no other helper. Not until they were deprived of His presence
would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come.
"The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative,
but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof.
Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally.
Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and
send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any
advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ.
By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He
would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high."—Desire
of Ages, 669.
Jesus said, "The Comforter, which is the Holy
Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach
you."—John 14:26. How can it be more plain? The Comforter
is the Holy Spirit, and the Father will send Him as Christ’s
representative.
Read the entire passage in Desire of Ages. It
clearly speaks of the Holy Spirit as a Person different than Christ—and
One that is also God.
"He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had
provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts
that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people.
The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the
sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had
been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this
satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only
through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would
come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is
the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s
Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the
Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature."—Desire
of Ages, 671.
2 - The Bible says things about the Holy Spirit which
could only be said of a definite Person, separate from Christ.
First, He exhibits five attributes of a person: He
has intellect— "The
Spirit searches all things" (1 Cor 2:10). He has knowledge—The
Holy Spirit understands the mind of God (1 Cor 2:11). He has a
mind—The Father knows the mind of the Spirit (Rom 8:27). He
has emotions—"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God"
(Eph 4:30). The Holy Spirit is grieved when we lie (v. 25), are angry
(v. 26), steal or are lazy (v. 28), or speak unkind words (v. 29).
He has a will (Acts 8:29, 39).
Second, He does ten things which a divine Person
would do: He testifies—"He will bear witness of Me"
(John 15:26). He helps—He is the "Comforter"
(John 14:16). He teaches—He teaches us (John
14:26). He guides—He guides us in our search for truth
(John 16:13). He convinces and convicts—He convicts the
world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). He
regenerates (Eze 36:25-27; Titus 3:5). He intercedes (Rom
8:26, 34; Heb 7:25). He commands (Acts 13:2). He
sends out (Acts 13:4). He forbids and prohibits (Acts
16:6).
Third, certain things can be done toward Him, which
could not be done if He did not have a personality; He can be obeyed—In
Acts 10, the Lord told Peter to go to the house of Cornelius. He obeyed
the Holy Spirit and went. He can be resisted—Stephen
told the Jews, about to stone him, that they were "stiff-necked . .
always resisting the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). He can be
grieved—The Holy Spirit is grieved when a person sins (Eph
4:30; cf. Isa 63:10). He can be blasphemed (Matt
12:32; Mark 3:29-30). He can be lied to (Acts 5:3).
Fourth, He is frequently referred to in the
grammatical masculine (John 15:26, John 16:13-14).
3 - Additional Bible facts about the Personhood of
the Holy Spirit.
1—Some say that the descriptions of the personality
of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament are only personifications. But
such an explanation would clearly destroy the meaning of such passages
as John 14:26;16:7-11; Rom 8:26.
2—The word, pneuma [Spirit], is a naturally
occurring Greek neuter; yet the masculine pronoun, ekeinos
[that or that one] is used of the Holy Spirit in John 16:14.
3—In many Greek texts, hos [which or the one
which], a masculine relative pronoun, is used in Ephesians 1:14 to
refer to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a definite Person, not
an immaterial nothingness.
4—He is called the "Paraclete" [Parakletos]—the
Comforter, Advocate, or Helper (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7). This is
another indication, not only of His personality but of His personhood.
"Comforter" is parakletos, in the Greek, and means
"one called along side to help." Parakletos, cannot
be translated by "comfort" or be regarded as the name of any
abstract influence. It has to refer to a distinct person. Another
indication that a person is meant is the fact that the Holy Spirit, as
Comforter, is placed in juxtaposition with Christ as the Comforter about
to depart, to whom the same term is applied in 1 John 2:1.
5—The characteristics of a person are ascribed to
Him, such as intelligence (John 14:26; 15:26; Rom 8:16).
6—The fact that He has a will is an
important characteristic of His personhood (Acts 16:7; 1 Cor 12:11).
7—Another characteristic of this Divine Person are
His affections (Isa 63:10; Eph 4:30).
8—He performs the distinct acts of a person. He
searches, speaks, testifies, commands, reveals, strives, creates, makes
intercession, raises the dead, etc. (Gen 1:2; 6:3; Luke 12:12; John
14:26; 15:26; 16:8-10; Acts 8:29; 13:2; Rom 8:11; 1 Cor 2:10). Only a
definite person could do all of these things; it could not be a mere
power or influence.
9—He stands in such a relationship to other
persons, that His own personality and personhood are implied. He is
placed in juxtaposition with the apostles (Acts 15:28), with Christ
(John 16:14), and with the Father and the Son (Matt 28:19; 1 Peter
1:1-2; Jude 20-21). How could He be shown as a Person separate from
the Father and the Son, if He was only part of them?
10—There are also passages of Scripture in which the
Holy Spirit is distinguished as a person apart from His own power
(Luke 1:35; 4:14; Acts 10:38; Rom 15:13; 1 Cor 2:4). Yet such passages
would become redundant, meaningless, and even absurd, if they were
explained as indicating that the Holy Spirit were merely "a
power" or inanimate force. In the above quoted passages, substitute
the word "power" or "influence" for the name,
"Holy Spirit"—and see how ridiculous the sentences become.
4 - The Spirit of Prophecy mentions things about the
Holy Spirit which could only be said of a definite Person, separate from
Christ.
The Holy Spirit is spoken of as an
"agency."
Ellen White uses that term in reference to persons, not things such as
attitudes, feelings, or spirits. Here are several examples: DA 322, 671,
675, MH 417, TM 144, 175, 378, 403, 1SM 134, 190, GW 286, 4T 372, PP
405, FE 189, CT 37, Ev 169, ML 43. Christ’s attitude might be an
instrumentality, but it would not be an agency.
The Holy Spirit is spoken as a "Teacher."
Ellen White uses that word, in context, as though the Holy Spirit is a
distinct person. Here are several examples: DA 670-671, MH 248, SC 91,
SD 30, CT 361, 484, CH 371, 561, GW 284, 468, GC xi, TM 119, 6T 115.
The Holy Spirit is called the
"Representative" who represents Christ in our world. Here
are several examples: DA 277, 352, 669, AA 47, 50, MB 132, MYP 17, TM
15, 73, 215, 257, Ev 187, 6BC 1053, 7BC 922, CT 68, 418, 450, FE 363,
526.
The Holy Spirit is said to have a special
"office" or "office work." Here are several
examples: DA 669-672, AA 52, SC 91, 1SM 134-135, FE 227, 385, TM 476,
MYP 107, ML 45, MB 91, CSW 40. Ev 187.
The Holy Spirit is called a "Heavenly
Visitant." Here are two examples: 8T 62; CT 364.
The Holy Spirit is called a "Witness."
Here are three examples: DA 539, 651 ("Divine Witness"), CT 68
("Faithful and True Witness").
The Holy Spirit is called "a Watcher."
This is a special term for divinity (see Daniel 4:13, 17). Here are
several examples: Watcher: MM 151, CT 369; Holy Watcher: DA 650; MM 206;
CT 370.
The Holy Spirit has a number of attributes which
attest to His Personhood. They are mentioned so frequently that we
will not give Spirit of Prophecy references:
He has a voice, power, and a presence. He has been
promised to us. He can be grieved and sinned against.
He can aid or help us. He can control us. He can
descend on us. He can energize us. He can enlighten us. He can influence
us. He can minister to us. He can plead with us. He can reprove us. He
can give us messages. He can write on our hearts.
5 - Christ is in heaven and the Holy Spirit, a
separate Person and His Representative, is on earth.
A Definite Person— "We
need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is
a person, is walking through these grounds."—Manuscript
66, 1899 (Evangelism, 616).
"The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth
witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this
witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we
believe and are sure that we are children of God . .
"The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He
could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are
the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He
could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God.
‘For what man knoweth the things of God, save the spirit of man which
is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of
God.’ "—Manuscript 20, 1906 (Evangelism, 616-617).
Christ’s Representative—"The Lord Jesus
acts through the Holy Spirit; for it is His representative."—Messages
to Young People, 55.
"He [Christ] would intercede for them, and would
send them His own representative, the Holy Spirit, who would attend
them in their work. This representative would not appear in human
form, but by faith would be seen and recognized by all who should
believe in Christ."—Review (October 26, 1897).
"Christ, as Mediator, is the great Minister in
the work of redemption. The Holy Spirit is His representative in our
world, to execute the divine purpose of bringing to fallen man power
from above, that he may be an overcomer."—7 Bible
Commentary, 922.
Christ in heaven and the Holy Spirit on earth—"Jesus
had assured them that He would send the Comforter, as an equivalent
for His visible presence."—3 Spirit of Prophecy, 256.
"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 [Christ] would
represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the
Omnipresent."—14 Manuscript Releases, 23 (Manuscript 5a,
1895; Desire of Ages, 669-670 is similar).
"The Saviour promised that His presence would be
always with them. Through the Holy Spirit He would be even nearer to
them than when He walked visibly among men."—Ministry of
Healing, 104.
In the Old Testament—"Before this
the Spirit had been in the world; from the very beginning of the work of
redemption He had been moving upon men’s hearts. But while Christ
was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper. Not until they
were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit,
and then He would come."—Desire of Ages, 669.
"The Spirit was not then [in ancient times]
given in power because Jesus was not yet glorified."—1
Manuscript Release, 364 (Manuscript 148, October 8, 1899).
"The Holy Spirit was eagerly sought for in
the schools of the prophets."—12 Manuscript Release 147
(Manuscript 69, June 19, 1908).
"The time [after Christ’s ascension] had now
come. The Spirit had been waiting for the crucifixion,
resurrection, and ascension of Christ. For ten days the disciples
offered their petitions for the outpouring of the Spirit, and Christ in
heaven added His intercession."—6 Bible Commentary, 1055.
— 2 —
EVIDENCE FOR
THE DIVINITY
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 - Christ speaks of the Holy Spirit as a Member of
the Godhead:
Not long after giving that instruction on Thursday
evening, Christ was standing on the Mount of Olives with His disciples—and
He spoke these words:
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen."—Matthew 28:18-20.
Those extremely important words—part of the Great
Commission—clearly state that the Holy Spirit is (1) a Person who
is separate from Christ, (2) on the same divine status with
Christ and the Father, and (3) that Christians are to be baptized
into all three, not just one or two of them. The phrase,
"baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost" would be meaningless if those three facts were not
true. The phrase means we are to be baptized into submission and
obedience to all three. To deny the Holy Spirit’s existence is to
deny your baptismal vows.
2 - Other passages in the Bible which point to the
full divinity of the Holy Spirit:
First, He has the attributes of divinity: He
is Omniscient (1
Cor 2:10-12; Rom 11:33). He is Omnipotent (Job
33:4; Gen 1:2). He is Omnipresent (Ps 139:7-10; John 14:17). He
is Eternal (Heb 9:14). He is Holy (Matt 12:32). He is Love
(Gal 5:22). He is Truth (John 14:17; 15:26).
Second, He does the works of divinity: The
Creation (Gen 1:2; Ps 104:30; Job 26:13). The Birth of Christ (Matt
1:20). The Inspiration of God’s Word (2 Peter 1:21). The New
Birth (Titus 3:5; John 3:6). Intercession (Rom 8:26). Ministry
(John 14:16).
3 - Additional Bible facts which attest to the
Divinity of the Holy Spirit.
1—The Deity of the Holy Spirit is indicated by
several factors, one of which is that Divine names are given to Him
(Ex 17:7; compare 2 Peter 1:2; Heb 3:7-9; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Tim
3:16).
2—He has the attributes of the Godhead. One
example is His omniscience (Isa 40:13-14). He has fullest
knowledge.
3—The Holy Spirit is eternal (Heb 9:14).
4—The Holy Spirit does divine works, such as
creation (Gen 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4).
5—The Holy Spirit can create and restore (Ps
104:30).
6—The Holy Spirit regenerates men; that is,
He works in them the New Birth (John 3:5-6; Titus 3:5).
7—The Holy Spirit can raise the dead (Rom
8:11).
8—As with Christ, divine honor is ascribed to
Him (Matt 28:19; Rom 9:1).
9—The Holy Spirit both inspires and enables men
to do the tasks assigned them (Ex 28:3; 35:35; 1 Sam 11:6;16:13-14).
10—The Holy Spirit has a part in the work of
redemption in several ways, among which is the fact that He prepared,
or had a part in preparing, a body for Christ and thus enabled Him
to become a sacrifice for sin (Luke 1:35; Heb 10:5-7).
11—At His baptism, Christ was anointed with the
Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). How could that be, if the Holy Spirit is
Christ?
12—The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of
Scripture, and in this way aids in bringing to mankind the truths of
God (1 Cor 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21).
13—He provides regeneration and sanctification,
thus forming and increasing the body of Christ, His Church, and dwells
in it (Eph 1:22-23; 2:22; 1 Cor 3:16; 12:4-31).
14—The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ and leads
His people into truth,—both of which are very important, not only
to the glorification of God and of Christ, but also to the salvation of
man (John 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 5:32; Heb 10:15; 1 John 2:27).
4 - The Spirit of Prophecy speaks of the Holy Spirit
as a Member of the Godhead:
Here are additional divinely inspired passages which
speak of the Holy Spirit as part of the Godhead:
"Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and
could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy
Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no
modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. Another spirit
must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the
submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing."—Testimonies
to Ministers, 392.
"The prince of the power of evil can only be
held in check by the power of God in the Third Person of the Godhead,
the Holy Spirit."—Special Testimonies, Series A, No. 10,
37 (Evangelism, 617).
"By the Spirit which searches all things, even
the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths which
cannot be described by pen or voice."—Sons and Daughters of
God, 34.
"The Godhead was stirred with pity for the
race, and the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit gave Themselves
to the working out of the plan of redemption."—Counsels on
Health, 222.
"The three powers of the Godhead, the Father,
the Son, and Holy Spirit, are pledged to be their strength and their
efficiency in their new life in Christ Jesus."—Australian
Union Conference Record, October 7, 1907.
"We 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, 51 (Evangelism,
617).
"When we have accepted Christ, and in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit have pledged
ourselves to serve God, the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the
three dignitaries and powers of heaven pledge themselves that every
facility shall be given to us if we carry out our baptismal vows to
"come out from among them, and be . . separate . . and touch not
the unclean thing."—6 Bible Commentary, 1075 (Manuscript 85,
1901).
"Our sanctification is the work of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit . . Have you been born again?
Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then cooperate with the
three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf."—7
Bible Commentary, 908 (Manuscript 11, 1901).
"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, 615).
"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
supply the power that makes him victorious in every conflict with the
prince of darkness."—6 Manuscript Releases, 167 (Letter
200, December 15, 1902).
"They pledge themselves to devote their lives to
God’s service; and the three great powers in heaven, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit, pledge Themselves to cooperate with
them, to work in and through them."—6 Manuscript
Releases, 166 (Manuscript 118, October 6, 1902).
"As a Christian submits to the solemn rite of
baptism, the three highest powers in the universe—the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit—place Their approval on his act, pledging
Themselves to exert Their power in his behalf as he strives to honor
God."—6 Manuscript Releases, 26 (Letter 53, January 26, 1904;
4 Signs, 399, August 16, 1905).
"Those who submit to the solemn rite of baptism
pledge themselves to devote their lives to God’s service; and the
three great powers of heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
pledge themselves to cooperate with them, to work in and through
them."—4 Signs, 282 (March 11, 1903).
"The Holy Spirit unites with the powers
of grace that God has provided to turn souls to Christ."—5
Review, 341.
"Why should we not expect the Holy Watcher to
come into our schools?"—Counsels to Teachers, 370. [The Holy
Spirit as a Person walking in our schools: 8T 62, the whole page; CT 68,
417-418.]
"By the Spirit which searches all things,
even the deep things of God, have been revealed precious truths
which cannot be described by pen or voice."—Sons and Daughters
of God, 34.
"He [Christ] would represent Himself as present
in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent."—14
Manuscript Releases, 23 (Manuscript 5a, 1895; Desire of Ages, 669-670,
is similar).
The Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, is
working to draw us to God and save us. We should not deny His existence.
— 3 —
THE DANGER
OF DENYING
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S EXISTENCE
1 - Ellen White reproved those who denied the
existence of the Holy Spirit.
In 1851, there were fanatics who were traveling from
place to place and denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. They said
there was no Holy Spirit!
"These things [people doubting her visions were
from God] wounded my spirit, and wrung my soul in deep anguish, well
nigh to despair, while many would have me believe that there was no
Holy Ghost."—Early Writings, 22 (September 21, 1851).
In 1886, she wrote these words:
"A spurious light will be accepted in the place
of truth by some who feel called upon to be expositors of the
Scriptures, because of their calling or position."—11
Manuscript Releases, 89 (Manuscript 15, 1886).
In 1891, a "brother Chapman" felt he had
discovered that the Holy Spirit did not exist, that It was not a Person
and not a member of the Godhead. When he wrote her for counsel, this was
Ellen White’s reply:
"Some are ever seeking to be original, to
bring out something new and startling ,
and they do not realize as they should the importance preserving the
unity of the faith in the bonds of love . .
"We are to pray for divine enlightenment, but
at the same time we should be careful how we receive everything
termed new light . .
"Your ideas . . do not harmonize with the
light God has given me. The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery not
clearly revealed . .
"Here is your danger, of diverting minds from
the real issues for this time. And you are not the only one who
seems to be moved with ambition in this direction. It would not be
right or prudent to send you out as a worker to promulgate your
peculiar ideas and thus cause division; we have plenty of this now. We
want men of solid experience, who will anchor minds and not send them
adrift without chart or compass. Now, my brother, it is truth that
we want and must have, but do not introduce error as new
truth."—14 Manuscript Releases, 177-180 (Letter 7, June
11, 1891).
After 1891, an increasing amount of error was being
taught. In 1894, she wrote:
"When men feel competent to pronounce judgment
and condemn the Holy Spirit, they do a work for themselves which will
be difficult to counteract .
The whole head becomes weak, and the discernment so weak that it is
apt to judge unrighteously."—4 Manuscript Releases, 358
(Letter 6, October 21, 1895).
By the turn of the century, J.H. Kellogg was nearing
the time when he would unveil his pantheistic teachings, which denied
the existence of the entire Godhead. In 1900, she wrote:
"We need to dwell more constantly and earnestly
upon the grace of the Holy Spirit. This we do not discern with our
natural eyes, yet by faith we see its office work, and we cannot
render to God supreme love and honor if we do not recognize the Holy
Spirit which the Lord sends. The Holy Spirit represents Jesus
Christ."—2 Manuscript Releases, 38 (Manuscript 59, August 16,
1900).
In 1907, she wrote:
"Those who reject the Spirit of truth place
themselves under the control of a spirit that is opposed to the Word
and work of God . For
a time they may continue to teach some phases of the truth, but their
refusal to accept all the light that God sends will after a time place
them where they will do the work of a false watchman . . There
will always be those who are seeking for something new, and who
stretch and strain the Word of God to make it support their ideas and
theories."—Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1, 385, 387
(Manuscript 125, July 4, 1907).
2 - The sin against the Holy Spirit.
There is a sin against the Holy Spirit
(Matt 12:31). The movings of the Holy Spirit on the heart can be quenched
(1 Thess 5:19), grieved away (Eph 4:30), and blasphemed (Matt
12:32).
It is a serious thing to grieve away the Holy Spirit;
how much more serious to deny that He exists! The One upon whom God
put His Spirit (Matt 12:18) was the One whom the Pharisees said was
working through Satan (Matt 12:24). God said, "I will put My Spirit
upon Him" (Matt 12:18); but the leaders said, "This fellow
doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the
devils" (Matt 12:24). That was said after having seen the
character-changing power of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men. What
greater sin is it to declare that there is no Holy Spirit and those who
believe in Him (the Holy Spirit) are worshiping Satan?
We dare not willfully reject the Spirit or, at the
prompting of Satan, declare that the Holy Spirit does not exist!
"It is through the medium of His Spirit that God
works upon the human heart; and when men willfully reject the Spirit and
declare it to be from Satan, they cut off the channel by which God can
communicate with them."—5 Testimonies, 634.
Here are more quotations on this subject:
Resisting the Holy Spirit:
DA 241, SC 40, MB 93, TM 74, 5T 120, 2BC 1004, COL 56,
Rejecting the Holy Spirit: 5T 120, 8T 292, MH
429.
Sin against the Holy Spirit: DA 321-323.
If you want to know the truth, go to God’s Word. "To
the law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word,
it is because there is no light in them" (Isa 8:20).
What do you prefer: far-fetched theories or the Word of God? Since only
the Godhead can save you, you had better believe in Them! Do not reject
even One of the Divine Members. To defend each One is to defend all
Three. They have done so much for you; should you not be loyal to Them?
A Mystery— "The
nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery.
Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to
them. Men having fanciful views may bring together passages of
Scripture and put a human construction on them, but the acceptance of
these views will not strengthen the church. Regarding such mysteries,
which are too deep for human understanding, silence is golden."—Acts
of the Apostles, 52 (Desire of Ages, 669). —vf
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