Embedded Files
Humanity and Divinity BLENDED Through Jesus
True HOLINESS (quiet cheerful obedience to the law of god) means that "We are to be one in character with Christ"!!!
"Character IS power." COL 340.2
What does "Character" consist of exactly?
"The thoughts and feelings COMBINED make up the moral character." Messages to Young People, p. 91.
Merriam-Webster says "character" is "The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual." Also known as our nature, personality, temper, figure, disposition.
"To Moses, the character of God was revealed as His glory. In like manner, we behold the glory (character) of Christ by beholding His character. Paul says, "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory [character to character] even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18)." Manuscript Releases Volume Nine [Nos. 664-7701], p. 296.2.
"Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go. MH 182.1.
"Let all who would form a right character choose associates who are of a serious, thoughtful turn of mind and who are religiously inclined. Those who have counted the cost and wish to build for eternity must put good material into their building. If they accept of rotten timbers, if they are content with deficiencies of character, the building is doomed to ruin. Let all take heed how they build. The storm of temptation will sweep over the building, and unless it is firmly and faithfully constructed it will not stand the test. 4T 588.1
"A knowledge of God is the FOUNDATION of ALL TRUE education and of all true service." (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, pages 292, 293.
"When the character [thoughts and feelings] of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own" COL 69.1
His WORD is HIS CHARACTER! YOUR WORDS ARE YOUR CHARACTER!
The MINDSET or CHARACTER OF CHRIST IS TO SERVE OTHERS: JOY = Jesus first, Other 2nd, Yourself last spells JOY.
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
“This refers to the omnipresence [the presence of Christ everywhere at the same time] of the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, called the COMFORTER.” — (E.G. White, 14MR 179.2)
Do you THINK this is Christ regenerated all the time to live literally INSIDE everyone as millions of Christ's? No, no, no.
"The NATURE OF GOD, whose law had been transgressed, AND the NATURE OF ADAM, THE TRANSGRESSOR, MEET IN JESUS--THE SON OF GOD AND THE SON OF MAN..." (17MR338.1).
"The righteousness of Christ, WHICH IS pure, unadulterated TRUTH." The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1540.1.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME."
Rev 19:13 "His NAME IS the WORD OF GOD"
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are GIVEN UNTO US exceeding great and precious PROMISES: that by THESE ye might be partakers of the divine nature [character =thoughts and feelings of Christ], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
"The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken." {RH, December 24, 1908 par. 2}
We become CHRISTLIKE, PERFECT, godlike in character by claiming the SUPERNATURAL WORD OF GOD!
We are to be one in character with Christ!!!
"He said, “The glory (character) which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” Mark these words. Ellen G. White, Lt55-1895 (September 19, 1895) par. 11.
An interesting side note is What does the GLORY aka CHARACTER of Christ LOOK LIKE? Ezekiel 1:28 tells us it looks like a RAINBOW.
“As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the GLORY of the LORD.” Ezekiel 1:28.
So you see the counterfeit of the LGBTQ community using the rainbow flag as their emblem - the track of error runs close to the track of truth. God's glory looks like a rainbow. Remember Joseph's coat of many colors, a rainbow of colors - a coat that his father MADE for him because of his father's favor upon him. The character of Christ is our own wedding garment that Christ MADE for us to wear because of his great love for us - a sign of his favor upon us because of our obedience to his WORDS that he was sent down to give us so we could claim them, claim his promises to become partakers of the DIVINE NATURE or DIVINE CHARACTER per 2 Peter 1:4. Learn more about this rainbow/glory/character comparison here.
When you claim a PROMISE such as Matthew 15:7, Matthew 18:19, 2 Cor 1:20 and so many more exceedingly great and precious promises, you are starting a claim in heaven much like you start a insurance claim here on earth. You are invoking or claiming a PROMISE aka WORD of god. God is not a man that he should lie. God's WORD has creative active power in it that will not break when leaned upon. When you go by faith into the Most Holy place in the Heavenly Sanctuary and pray to god in the name of his son and ask for your sins to be forgiven and claim say a promise like Matthew 15:7 you can rest assured your sins are forgiven.
When you FORGIVE someone their sins are forgiven as well. We should be RUSHING to our knees to forgive those who have wronged us so that our sins and theirs can be forgiven. 2 Cor 2:10, John 20:23.
2 Corinthians 2:10 King James Bible To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven--if there was anything to forgive--I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; and indeed to whom I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for the sake of you, in the person of Christ,
But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
"Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one as he was one with his Father. This prayer did not contemplate one disciple with twelve heads, but twelve disciples, made one in object and effort in the cause of their master. Neither are the Father and the Son parts of the “three-one God.” They are two distinct beings, yet one in the design and accomplishment of redemption. The redeemed, from the first who shares in the great redemption, to the last, all ascribe the honor, and glory, and praise, of their salvation, to both God and the Lamb." (James White, 1868, Life Incidents, page 343)
"We are to be one in character with Christ." Ellen G. White, Lt55-1895 (September 19, 1895) par. 11.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” These words are written of Christ. He is our representative before the Father. Whatsoever was given to Christ—the “all things” to supply every need of fallen man—was given to Him as the head and representative of humanity. Who will be the receivers of eternal life? All who before the universe of heaven are adjudged to have in Christ endured the penalty of the law, and in Him fulfilled its righteousness. We are to be one in character with Christ. He said, “The glory (character) which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” Mark these words. Ellen G. White, Lt55-1895 (September 19, 1895) par. 11
Ellen White writes: "The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. In mind, in purpose, in character, they are one, but not in person. By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature [character=thoughts and feelings like God Himself=his law/transcript of his character written to our daily choices = what we DO everyday (See Romans 6:16)]. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. [Ellen White warns, "The Father and the Son ALONE are to be exalted." {The Youth's Instructor, July 7, 1898 par.2}] Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power (Character=thoughts and feelings=even the "inclination" to sin) to take away sin." {Our Father Cares, p. 36.3}
Relation of Father and Son. The seventeenth chapter of John speaks plainly regarding the personality of God and of Christ, and of their relation to each other. “Father, the hour is come, “ Christ said, “glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.” (John 17:23, 3, 5-11 quoted) Here is personality, and individuality MS 124, 1903).
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. John 17:8
Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are
John 17:11 See also John 17:26 AND Rev. 5:10
John Chap. 17 helps/Ellen White commentary – “Obey God’s Requirements” “The truth as it is in Jesus is obedience to every precept of Jehovah. It is heart work. ….. Satan is on your right hand and on your left; he is before and behind; he has a dish of fables cooked up for every soul who is not cherishing the truth as it is in Jesus. … But there is a crown of life to be won, a life that measures with the life of God (MS 58, 1897)”
"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." Selected Messages Book 3, p. 140.1
“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).
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matthew 12:36 KJV
The ONLY ambition of believers is to see who could reveal most perfectly the likeness of Christ's character, who can do the most for the enlargement of His kingdom!
"Because by one sacrifice he has MADE PERFECT FOREVER those who are being MADE holy." Hebrews 10:14
"... be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, ..." Leviticus 20:26
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement. When we learn the POWER of His WORD, we shall not follow the suggestions of Satan in order to obtain food or to save our lives. Our only questions will be, What is God’s command? and what His promise? Knowing these, we shall obey the one, and trust the other.
God is SIMPLY WAITING WITH LONGING DESIRE FOR US TO GET THIS RIGHT MY FRIENDS! Please! This is not about who is right or wrong, but about what is TRUTH! If someone is teaching error we must share the truth with as wide a media outlet as the error was shared! Professed SDA's refuse to show the beauty of the "truths given in 1841, '42, '43 and 1844" (15MR Ltr 75 1905).
We want NOTHING, like Queen Esther wanted nor asked for anything other than what she was GIVEN to wear to see the King...it is to be the same with us - we want NOTHING of our own selves but what CHRIST has GIVEN to us to wear to see the King in His glory.
Let's get on with it folks and stop going around the mountain and staying in the wilderness for 40 more years wandering in the deseart instead of going right on into Heavenly Canaan! We are WELL ABLE TO GO UP AND POSSESS OUR HEAVENLY CANAAN that our dear Saviour has won the victory already for us! Perfection of Character, HIS CHARACTER IS OURS! We are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works.
"When the character [thoughts and feelings] of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own" COL 69.1
WE ARE MADE TO BE SIN-FREE BY FAITH - WHEN WE OBEY - WHEN OUR BEST EFFORTS TO OBEY ARE PUT FORTH, CHRIST STEPS IN AND MAKES UP OUR DEFICIENCIES WITH HIS OWN MERITS (RIGHTEOUSNESS):
I do not say that I am perfect, but I am trying to be perfect. I do not expect others to be perfect; and if I could not associate with my brothers and sisters who are not perfect, I do not know what I should do. No one is perfect. If one were perfect, he would be prepared for heaven. As long as we are not perfect, we have a work to do to get ready to be perfect. (Christ comes in and MAKES us perfect WHEN we attempt our best efforts to obey the Ten Commandments = He comes in and makes up our deficiencies = this is NO excuse to sin = we need to be living/practicing ALL the light that we know)
"We learn from this language that when we speak of the Spirit of God, we are really speaking of his presence and power." J.N. Loughborough, Review and Herald, September 13,1898.
“The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God.” {E. G. White, ST November 23, 1891, par. 1, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 39.5}
1 Corinthians 1:24 “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
Our mind becomes transformed (translated into HEAVEN (heaven IS the PRESENCE of Christ =Christ is the truth of all that we find in the Father. The definition of heaven is the presence of Christ (Manuscript 184, 1897). SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7 (EGW), p. 989.9 (Ellen G. White))
There are TWO FATHERS. Jesus said, "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" John 20:17.
God and HIS SON are both fathers. Christ is the Father of a NEW RACE or NEW CREATION of people - both human and divine! Sin-free. See 1 John 3:9.
"The Son is 'the everlasting Father,' not of himself, nor of his Father, but of his children. His language is, 'I and the children which God hath given me.' Heb. 2:13." Cotrell, Review and Herald, June 1, 1869.
Isaiah 9:6(KJV) 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6(KJV) 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
1 Corinthians 15:45(KJV) 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was MADE a quickening spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45(KJV) 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was MADE a quickening spirit.
"Because by one sacrifice he has MADE PERFECT FOREVER those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:14
"... be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, ..." Leviticus 20:26
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
"It may be objected, If the Father and the Son are two distinct beings, do you not, in worshipping the Son and calling him God, break the first commandment of the decalogue? "No; it is the Father's will 'That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.' We cannot break the commandment and dishonor God by obeying him. The Fathers says of the Son, 'Let all the angels of God worship him.' Should angels refuse to worship the Son, they would rebel against the Father. Children inherit the name of their Father. The Son of God 'hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than' the angels. That name is the name of his Father. The Father says to the Son, 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.' Heb.1. The Son is called 'The mighty God.' Isa. 9:6. And when he comes again to earth his waiting people will exclaim, 'This is our God.' Isa. 25:9. It is the will of the Father that we should thus honor the Son. In doing so we render supreme honor to the Father. If we dishonor the Son, we dishonor the Father; for he requires us to honor his son. "But though the Son is called God yet there is a 'God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ' 1Pet. 1:3. Though the Father says to the Son, 'Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever,' yet, that throne is given him of his Father; and because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity, he further says, 'Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee.' Heb. 1:9. 'God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.' Acts. 2:36. The Son is 'the everlasting Father,' not of himself, nor of his Father, but of his children. His language is, 'I and the children which God hath given me.' Heb. 2:13." Review and Herald, June 1, 1869.
"The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the [SDA] church represents the Christians of the last generation of men, living just prior to the second advent. The dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which, according to the inspired definition of (Rev.) chapter 19:10, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant. They teach the observance of the Ten Commandments, and the revival of the gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them. When the devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty was filled with revengeful delight. But when the remnant [a part of the 144,000 from the SDA movement "ONLY the cases of the professed people of God are considered at the investigative judgment" {GC 480.1}.], whom God designs to fit for translation to heaven without seeing death, “ask for the old paths [Three Angel's "Anti-Pope" Messages with is the 1841-1846 historical truths], where is the good way, and walk therein,” then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them" Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 26.2 (Ellen G. White).
Begin at My Sanctuary -- "Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus 'Peace and safety" is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children all perish together." E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, 211.
"Pentecost brought them the heavenly illumination. The truths they could not understand while Christ was with them were now unfolded. With a faith and assurance that they had never before known, they accepted the teachings of the Sacred Word. No longer was it a matter of faith with them that Christ was the Son of God. They knew that, although clothed with humanity, He was indeed the Messiah, and they told their experience to the world with a confidence which carried with it the conviction that God was with them." The Acts of the Apostles, p. 45.3
"I saw that God has honest children among the nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people will be called out from these churches and will gladly receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who have rejected the truth may think that God is with them." {EW, p 261}.
"Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction.” --{See Revelation 14:12, Revelation 18, Joel 2:9-11; The Great Controversy Chapter 34}
The most fearful news here is the prophecy that those who will reject the call to come out of the SDA churches and the fallen churches will experience an 'excitement', coming from Satan to deceive them into thinking that 'God is with them".
How do we know from inspired writings that we are now living just before the 'plagues shall be poured out' and therefore have to separate from the fallen Babylonian SDA church and the other churches as well?
We know that we are in just this 'critical time' because of the wild spreading of the 'celebration' style of worship in the SDA churches and the other fallen churches around the world, as accurately predicted by Ellen White.
"The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit." {2SM, p 36}.
Many SINCERE AND HONEST TRUE GOD BELIEVERS may not realize the gross errors that are being taught in the OTG (only true god) [The acronym "OTG" means = "only true god" believers.] movement that has come out of the CORPORATION called GENERAL CONFERENCE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST ... the holy flesh movement is again showing its ugly face - we must come out of ALL ERRORS!
A quick summary: To understand what this topic means is to understand how to perform miracles - the gifts RESTORED into his remnant church. The MIND OF CHRIST, the CHARACTER OF CHRIST in us. Let this MIND (character) be in you, in harmony with the plan of Salvation by God and Son!
See this quote:
"The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of the [SDA] church represents the Christians of the last generation of men, living just prior to the second advent. The dragon makes war on these for keeping the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus Christ, which, according to the inspired definition of (Rev.) chapter 19:10, “is the spirit of prophecy.” Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare upon the remnant. They teach the observance of the Ten Commandments, and the revival of the gifts [MIRACLES!!! by claiming the PROMISES of God = the WORD OF GOD!], and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them. When the devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty was filled with revengeful delight. But when the remnant [a part of the 144,000 from the SDA movement and the world], whom God designs to fit for translation to heaven without seeing death, “ask for the old paths [Three Angel's "Anti-Pope" Messages with is the 1841-1846 historical truths], where is the good way, and walk therein,” then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them" Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, p. 26.2 (Ellen G. White).
HOW FALSE DOCTRINES COME INTO THE CHURCH: Folks! The early SDA Protestant pioneers who were keen, noble and true, who Sister White said we are to REPEAT their TESTIMONY again here in these last days DID NOT believe that a literal divine being lived in them - but rather Christ dwells in us via the WORD that his father gave him and sent him down to this earth to give us! HIS NAME IS THE WORD OF GOD per Rev 19:13!! When we are not just HEARERS of the WORD but DOERS also! Putting into practice the doctrines of Christ, "He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath BOTH the Father and the Son." 2 John 1:9
It means MUCH to pray in Christ's name! You are NOT saved just because you say/translate his alleged name in another language! To take his name means you are a DOER of HIS DOCTRINES per "He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath BOTH the Father and the Son." 2 John 1:9 "To pray in Christ's name means much. It means that we are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour's promise is given on condition. If ye love Me, He says, keep My commandments. He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him will show their love by obedience" The Desire of Ages, 668.THIRD COMMANDMENT: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" Exodus 20:7."When the character [thoughts and feelings] of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own" COL 69.1To believe in the HOLY FLESH movement is not just a bedlam of noise and dancing, it is MUCH more than that...and many of our very popular and MUCH LOVED TRUE GOD BELIEVER (OTG) preachers (David Clayton, Howard Williams, Imad Awde and Nader Mansour = I love you dear brothers, however we must teach pure truth and we cannot have a wrong idea in our minds about who lives in us and how we become sin-free else we will be lost and I don't believe that is what you or I want) are teaching this - and may not even understand it themselves - yet we want to come into harmony with what our early SDA pioneers taught, and follow a unincorporated It is Written and a Thus Saith the Lord principle per Isaiah 2:22 "Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils, of what account is he?" Be a Berean and search out these things for yourself, because only you are going to have to answer to god for your actions and beliefs in the day of judgement. As for me, I live by the faith of the Son of God (Gal 2:20)."The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart." COL. 106
HOLY FLESH doctrine means It is to believe that a literal Divine being lives in you....similar to the "immaculate conception" Catholic doctrine idea only takes a new form today in Holy Flesh/OTC Teachers. It is similar to the blasphemous COOKIE GOD doctrine....
Beware: Do not Celebrate the Eucharist--a most "blasphemous" and "Heaven-insulting heresy." 4SOP 63.
"When God sees a branch of the true Vine beginning to bear fruit, He "purgeth" or cleanseth it, "that it may bring forth more fruit." Jesus tells us how this is done. "Now ye are clean through the WORD that I have spoken unto you." [John 15:3] The words of Jesus bring His Spirit and life into our hearts, and if these WORDS "abide" in us we shall bear "much fruit." The Present Truth, No. 44, the Children's Corner page here.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
“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}
Now let us read a similar statement with more context around it:
“The Spirit was given as a regenerating agency, 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 man to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person [omnipresence of the Spirit of Christ, called the Comforter the invisible supernatural CHARACTER (thoughts and feelings) and POWER of Christ John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless] of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given his Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress his own character upon the church.”{E. G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904 par. 3}
WHEN WHOSE CHARACTER IS IMPRESSED UPON THE CHURCH??? "and to impress his own character upon the church.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904 par. 3}
"When the character [thoughts and feelings] of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own" COL 69.1
CHARACTER IS POWER!
Remember this verse? Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:
The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
International Standard Version
Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah Jesus:
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; …
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
Thus will it not be among you. But whoever wishes to become great among you, he will be your servant;
"It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
But don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.
This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest;
Holman Christian Standard Bible
It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
International Standard Version
That's not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,
It must not be this way among you! Instead whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant,
It will not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you must be your servant.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“It will not be so among you, but whoever wants to be great among you, let him be one who waits on you.”
But that's not the way it's going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.
“It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,
But it shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;
It shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister:
It shall not be thus amongst you, but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant;
Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister;
But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Not so shall it be among you; but whoever desires to be great among you shall be your servant,
It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
but not so shall it be among you, but whoever may will among you to become great, let him be your ministrant;
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave--
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all."
But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Christ’s spirit is a divine power. It is “His own character” (His own life) not a different person to Him. What is the only power that can break the hold of evil from our hearts?
“Our condition through sin has become preternatural, and the power that restores us must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 8, p. 291}
“The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God.” {E. G. White, ST November 23, 1891, par. 1, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 39.5}
"The Holy Spirit is the Spirit OF God; it is also the Spirit OF Christ." U. Smith, GC. Daily Bulletin Vol. 4, March 14,1891, pp. 146,147
"Here we find that the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ." E.J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p. 23. 1890
"We learn from this language that when we speak of the Spirit of God, we are really speaking of his presence and power." J.N. Loughborough, Review and Herald, September 13,1898
"In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself."-Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 273.
If Christ be IN us, we are partakers of the DIVINE NATURE of GOD Himself! The Holy Spirit is come INTO us - which is God sent through Christ (their power (character) becomes our power (character)) BOTH living inside us. When we ask Him, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit (God Himself, his Divine Influences and power (character) -God IS a Spirit) to us!
'The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.' It thus makes Christ everywhere present." (Psalm 139:7)
"HIS VICTORY IS OURS"!!! DA p. 123.
“There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” {E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 18}
“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 world. With 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}
"When the character [thoughts and feelings] of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own" COL 69.1
"Many think that they must wait for a special impulse in order that they may come to Christ; but it is necessary only to come in sincerity of purpose, deciding to accept the offers of mercy and grace that have been extended to us. We are to say: "Christ died to save me. The Lord's desire is that I should be saved, and I will come to Jesus just as I am without delay. I will venture upon the promise. As Christ draws me, I will respond." The apostle says, "With the heart [our daily choices that we do] man believeth unto righteousness" (Rom. 10:10). No one can believe with the heart unto righteousness, and obtain justification by faith, while continuing the practice of those things which the Word of God forbids, or while neglecting any known duty" First published in April 1893, and reprinted in Selected Messages, Book 1, pp. 396-398.
1 Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
"The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken." {RH, December 24, 1908 par. 2}
God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace." From Devotional: Our Father Cares, p. 205.
"Our condition through sin is unnatural, and the power that restores us must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but One Power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ. Only through the blood of the Crucified One is there cleansing from sin. His Grace (POWER/PRESENCE=CHARACTER=THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS) alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature !" - Ministry of Healing p. 428
"Christ died to save sinners, not in their sins, but from their sins. The warning given in Revelation shows us the terrible consequence of transgression. By lips that will not lie, God’s law is declared to be holy, just, and good. Our duty to obey this law is to be the burden of the last message of mercy." 19MR 182.7
If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day; if you will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call you come wearing the yoke of Christ,— the yoke of obedience and service,—all your murmurings will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved. http://www.ellenwhite.info/books/books-by-egw-mb.htm
"As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be PERFECT in their life. A well-balanced character is formed by single ACTS WELL PERFORMED. One defect, cultivated instead of being overcome, makes the man imperfect, and closes against him the gate of the Holy City. . . . In all the redeemed host not one defect will be seen. . . . " The Faith I Live By, page 44,
"Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter." My Life Today, page 271
"We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation . . . " Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 144.
"Not even by a thought did He [Christ] yield to temptation. So it may be with us." Desire of Ages, p. 123.
"In order to let Jesus into our hearts, we must stop sinning." Signs of the Times, March 3, 1898.
"To be redeemed means to cease from sin." Review & Herald, Sept. 25, 1900.
" . . . conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character." Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 505.
"Human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character." Acts of the Apostles, p. 531.
"Perfection of character is attainable by every one who strives for it." Selected Messages Vol. 1, p. 212.
Pacific Union Recorder, April 29, 1915, paragraph 7 & 8
Article Title: Further Word Concerning Mrs. E. G. White
"I do not say that I am perfect, but I am trying to be perfect. I do not expect others to be perfect; and if I could not associate with my brothers and sisters who are not perfect, I do not know what I should do. No one is perfect. If one were perfect, he would be prepared for heaven. As long as we are not perfect, we have a work to do to get ready to be perfect."
NOTE: Ellen admits she is imperfect but she continues working to become perfect. She believes those who become perfect are the only ones that are ready to enter heaven.
"Those who make a raid against God's law are warring against God Himself; and many who are filled with the greatest bitterness against the commandment-keeping people of God make the loudest boast of living holy, sinless lives. This can be explained only in one way: they have no mirror in which to look to discover to themselves the deformity of their character. Neither Joseph, Daniel, nor any of the apostles claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than to knowingly sin against Him, men whom God has honoured with divine light and power, have acknowledged themselves to be sinners, unworthy of His great favours. They have felt their weakness and, sorrowful for their sins, have tried to copy the pattern Jesus Christ." "THE TRUE STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS." PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, AUGUST 25, 1885.
"Because by one sacrifice he has MADE PERFECT FOREVER those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:14
"... be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, ..." Leviticus 20:26
"Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16
EGW: YES "Christ died to make it possible for you to cease to sin, and sin is the transgression of the law" (Review and Herald, vol. 71, No. 35, p. 1, August 28, 1894.)
EGW: YES "To be redeemed means to cease from sin" (Review and Herald, vol. 77, No. 39, p. 1, September 25, 1900).
EGW: YES "Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all his precepts" (Manuscript 122, 1901, quoted in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1118).
EGW: YES "To every one who surrenders fully to God is given the privilege of living without sin, in obedience to the law of heaven. ... God requires of us perfect obedience. We are to purify ourselves, even as he is pure. By keeping his commandments, we are to reveal our love for the Supreme Ruler of the universe" (Review and Herald, September 27, 1906, p. 8).
Enoch reached this goal.
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28
Renew your mind through meditating on God’s Word, and you will find God’s “good and acceptable and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Men are fools till they submit to the word of God.
John Calvin
People don't fully understand what CHARACTER means! It means that we have the MIND of Christ in us! Our character consists of our thoughts and feelings. The law of God is a TRANSCRIPT of the CHARACTER of GOD!
"As a man He (Son of God) supplicated the throne of God, till His humanity was charged with a Heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity. Through continual communion He received life from God that he might impart life to the world. His experience is to be ours" DA 363.
"When the heart is cleansed from sin, Christ is placed on the throne (our mind/actions/thoughts/feelings=character) that self-indulgence and love of earthly treasure once occupied. The image of Christ is seen in the expression of the countenance. The work of sanctification is carried forward in the soul. Self-righteousness is banished. There is seen the putting on of the new man, which after Christ is created in righteousness and true holiness."—The Review and Herald, September 11, 1900.Counsels on Stewardship, p. 27
"The work of sanctification is the work of a lifetime; it must go on continually; but this work cannot go on in the heart while the light on any part of the truth is rejected or neglected. The sanctified soul will not be content to remain in ignorance, but will desire to walk in the light and to seek for greater light. As a miner digs for gold and silver, so the follower of Christ will seek for truth as for hidden treasures, and will press from light to a greater light, ever increasing in knowledge. He will continually grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Self must be overcome. Every defect of character must be discerned in God’s great mirror. We may discover whether or not we are condemned by God’s standard of character." Selected Messages Book 1, p. 317.2
"As the Son of man was perfect in His life, so His followers are to be PERFECT in their life. A well-balanced character is formed by single ACTS WELL PERFORMED. One defect, cultivated instead of being overcome, makes the man imperfect, and closes against him the gate of the Holy City. . . . In all the redeemed host not one defect will be seen. . . . " The Faith I Live By, page 44.
"Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter." My Life Today, page 271
"We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation . . . " Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 144.
"Not even by a thought did He [Christ] yield to temptation. So it may be with us." Desire of Ages, p. 123.
"In order to let Jesus into our hearts, we must stop sinning." Signs of the Times, March 3, 1898.
"To be redeemed means to cease from sin." Review & Herald, Sept. 25, 1900.
" . . . conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character." Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 505.
"Human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character." Acts of the Apostles, p. 531.
"Perfection of character is attainable by every one who strives for it." Selected Messages Vol. 1, p. 212.
When you respond to the drawing of Christ, and join yourself to Him, you manifest saving faith... Faith familiarizes the soul with the existence and presence of God, and, living with an eye single to the glory of God, more and more we discern the beauty of His character, the excellence of His grace. Our souls become strong in spiritual power; for we are breathing the atmosphere of heaven... We are rising above the world, beholding Him who is the Chief among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely, and by beholding we are to become changed into His image. (God's Amazing Grace, 183)
All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and they need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will (firm determination - our daily choices/habits) of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. {MH 58.3}
It is not in the power of Satan to force anyone to sin. Sin is the sinner's individual act. Before sin exists in the heart, the consent of the will must be given, and as soon as it is given, sin is triumphant, and hell rejoices. But there is no excuse for sin, either great or little. Christ has been provided as the tempted one's refuge. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." {ST, December 18, 1893 par. 10}
"Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth." John 17:17.
"For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." Heb. 4, 12-13, R.V.
"The DIVINE SPIRIT that the world's Redeemer promised to send is the PRESENCE and POWER of God." Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 39.5. ST November 23, 1891, par. 1.
"When God sees a branch of the true Vine beginning to bear fruit, He "purgeth" or cleanseth it, "that it may bring forth more fruit." Jesus tells us how this is done. "Now ye are clean through the WORD that I have spoken unto you." The words of Jesus bring His Spirit and life into our hearts, and if these WORDS "abide" in us we shall bear "much fruit." The Present Truth, No. 44, the Children's Corner page here.
I invite those who are teaching that a literal being lives in them and that is what makes them "HOLY FLESH" even if they sin, to answer the following multiple choice question:
"But if the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwelleth in you." Romans 8:11. O how precious are these words to every bereaved soul. CHRIST IS OUR GUIDE AND COMFORTER, who comforts us in all our tribulations. When He gives us a bitter draught to drink, He also holds a cup of blessing to our lips. HE FILLS THE HEART WITH SUBMISSION, WITH JOY AND PEACE in believing, and enables us to say submissively, "not my will, but thine, O Lord be done. The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Luke 22:42; Job 1:21. With this submission, hope is resurrected, and the hand of faith lays hold upon the hand of infinite power. "He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwelleth in you." 9LtMs, Lt 65a, 1894, par. 4 - 5.
"It is by His word that Christ does abide in the heart; for Paul says that Christ will dwell in the heart by faith (Eph. 3:17); and 'faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' Rom. 10:17" -E. J. Waggoner, "Christ and His Righteousness", page 157
"It is through the Word that Christ abides in His followers." -Ellen White, DA 677.1
“Finally, we know the Divine unity of the Father and the Son from the fact that both have the same Spirit. Paul, after saying that they that are in the flesh cannot please God, continues: “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.” Rom. 8:9. Here we find that the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.” — (E.J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p. 23, 1890)
"It is by faith that Christ dwells in our hearts." -E. J. Waggoner, "Christ and His Righteousness", page 88. "Christ and His Righteousness", is well worth the read. It is a free download here: http://www.trinitytruth.org/christandhisrighteousness.html
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Matthew 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. -Jesus
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. -Paul
"'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." -Ellen White, Letter 7, 1891— 14MR 180.4
You can find pictures of the chapter called "The Indwelling of the Word" in the book CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS by Ellet J. Waggoner here so you can read this in context. In case you have a different edition and do not find it, this chapter has been published as an individual article entitled "The Indwelling Word", The Sign of the Times, July 14,1890:
"Jesus, coming to dwell in humanity, receives no pollution. His presence has healing virtue for the sinner..." -Ellen White, DA 266.1"Now the giving of the Holy Spirit is the giving of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ in us, and the power of the Holy Spirit is the power of Christ in us, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the indwelling of Christ in us...." -Ellen White, GCB December 1894, p. 632.4
"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(Christ's) successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself(Christ), divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. He(Christ) would represent Himself(Christ) as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent." -Ellen White, Lt119-1895 (February 18, 1895) par. 18
"... before his ascension, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands in blessing, bade them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel,” adding, “Lo, I am with you alway” (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:20); when on the Day of Pentecost the promised Comforter descended and the power from on high was given and the souls of the believers thrilled with the conscious presence of their ascended Lord..." -Ellen White, GC 351
"Christ is withdrawn only from the eye of sense, but he is as truly present by his Spirit as when he was visibly present on earth." -Signs of the Times, April 7, 1890, par. 6 • Ellen G. White
"Christ was to live in them and speak through them. He would give to them the glory that he had with the Father, that he and they might be one in God." -Ellen White, GCB Oct 1, 1899 par 12 "Christ our Example"
"Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation." -Ellen White, DA 599.4
An article titled "Who Shall Reign" in this publication is wonderful to get a deeper sense of the abiding Word of God in us found here.
“Those who seek to remove the old landmarks are not holding fast; they are not remembering how they have received and heard. Those who try to bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary or concerning the personality of God or of Christ, are working as blind men. They are seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor.” — (E.G. White, MR760 9.5, 1905)
There is a reason Ellen White included the Godhead and the sanctuary together. Many do not realize that the trinity doctrine destroys the sanctuary message as seen by the following non-Trinitarian quote.
“While Jesus ministers in the sanctuary above, He is still by His Spirit the minister of the church on earth. He is withdrawn from the eye of sense, but His parting promise is fulfilled, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” — (E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 166)
WHO IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH?
John 16:13 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.
Q. Who is the spirit of truth?
A. John 15:26 The spirit of truth is the Comforter.
Q. Who is the Comforter?
A. John 14:12, 16-22
Jn 14:12, Jesus is going away.
Jn 14:16, He will ask the Father to send another Comforter that will bide with them forever.
Jn 14:17, Comforter is called the spirit of truth.
The world cannot receive Him. The world cannot see him or know him. But the disciples know him, and this comforter is already dwelling with them.
Notice:- They know him
He is already dwelling with them
He is a comfort to them
He is always truthful to them
Q. Who is the only person the disciples knew personally, who was already dwelling with them? Who was a comfort to them and was always truthful?
A. Only Jesus could fulfil these requirements. And He says so in the next verse.
Jn 14:18, ‘I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.’
But He was coming back in another form. From dwelling with them physically, to dwelling in them spiritually. (Vs. 17, shall be in you).
This is why Jesus says ‘another’ comforter. He would be coming back in the spirit.
"Christ is to be known by the blessed name of Comforter.” {Ms7-1902 (January 26, 1902) par. 10} - EGW
"WE WANT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.” {Lt66-1894 (April 10, 1894) par. 18} - EGW
"Christ comes as a Comforter to all who believe. He invites your confidence. He says, “Abide in me.” Surely we may trust in our loving Saviour. You can say, “Yes, my Saviour; in thee I can and will trust. I will abide in thee.” Then how trustfully you can work in His presence. Your works will be but the fruit of Christ working in you. You may rest in what Christ can do for you. And the energies of your soul will be awakened to co-operate [with] Him. He will work in you to do His good pleasure.” {Lt103-1898 (November 21, 1898) par. 14} - EGW
"While He extends to all the world His invitation to come to Him and be saved, He commissions His angels to render divine help to every soul that cometh to Him in repentance and contrition, and He comes personally by His Holy Spirit into the midst of His church.” {Lt2d-1892 (December 23, 1892) par. 7} - EGW
"JEHOVAH, OUR FATHER, AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST ARE ALONE TO BE EXALTED. The knowledge of God is eternal life to those who receive it. His holy banner is to stand elevated above all the greatness of the greatest men, above all the honor and glory of the world.” {Ms11-1898 (June 29, 1898) par. 11} - EGW
Compare verse 17, Jesus says the world cannot receive the spirit of truth, neither can it see him or know him, but the disciples did know him.
Verse 19, Jesus makes almost the same statement, but speaks of Himself.
Notice:- “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”
Dear friends, this is so clear, Jesus is telling the disciples that He is the comforter.
Verse 18, I will come to you.
Verse 19, You will see me.
Verse 20, I in you.
Verse 21, I will manifest myself to him.
Verse 23, we (my Father and I) will make our abode with him.
Q. Did Christ’s disciples understand that He would be coming back to them?
A. Yes, Verse 22 “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?”
Now notice how the SOP harmonises with the Scripture:
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. {19MR 296, 297}
The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.
{8MR 49}
Christ comes as a Comforter to all who believe. He invites your confidence. He says, "Abide in me." Surely we may trust in our loving Saviour. {8MR 57}
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. {RH, January 27, 1903}
This is why Paul could Say, ‘Christ in you’, ‘Christ that liveth in me’, ‘let this mind be in you’, etc…
John 16:13 So the spirit of truth is the spirit of Jesus, our comforter.
Notice how Jesus is speaking of Himself in the spirit as another person.
We notice this also in John 14:16, 17 (Another comforter). Jesus often spoke this way. (See John 17:3; 5:19, 23; 3:13-16; Matthew 24:30-37; 25:13, 31.)
In fact, every time Jesus speaks of the son of man, apporx. 48 times, it is always in the third person.
John 16:12 note how before Jesus speaks of the spirit of truth He says: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (could Jesus be saying that He will reveal these things to them later?)
Notice the parallels between John 16:13, 14
and some other statements of Jesus.
John 16:14 “He shall glorify
John 16:14 “He shall glorify me (how?): for he shall receive of mine, and shall show [it] unto you.”
John 16:15, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show [it] unto you.”
Q. Why does Jesus say ‘all things that the Father hath are mine’?
A. To impress upon His disciples that in giving them His spirit He is giving them His life, His character, everything He has inherited from His Father, Hebrews 1:4.
Notice:
“Christ is to live in his human agents, and work through their faculties, and act through their capabilities. Their will must be submitted to his will, they must act with his spirit, that it may be no more they that live, but Christ that liveth in them. 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.” {ST, October 3, 1892 par. 4}
This is why Jesus says, “He will glorify me” Jn 16:14
“The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of His love; so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing His grace to the world. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.” {DA 671.3}
See also: Ezekiel 36:23, & Isaiah 49:3.
Before this could happen, Jesus had to go away.
John 16:7 “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.”
Q. If the Holy Spirit is another God-being, separate from the Father and the Son. Why did Jesus have to go before he could come?
Why was it expedient for the disciples that Jesus had to leave them, and then the spirit come?
A common answer from a trinitarian perspective is that Jesus, in His humanity, was limited and could not be in every place personally. But they contradict their own beliefs, because they say the Holy Spirit is a completely separate being. So, Jesus limited in His humanity would have no bearing on whether the spirit could come or not. For they say he is separate from Jesus.
It is true that Jesus needed to first ascend to heaven and receive from His Father that assurance that His sacrifice was ample. So the Holy Spirit could be sent to empower His church. But this has no relevance as to Christ being ‘cumbered with humanity’.
To be consistent, with the trinitarian viewpoint and their understanding of the Holy Spirit, they must acknowledge that once Christ’s offering was accepted by the Father, then the Holy Spirit could come irrespective of whether Jesus went away or not.
But this is not what Jesus said. Read again,
John 16:7 “…for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Clearly, Jesus had to go away before the Holy Spirit could come.
Let us see why:
John 7:39 “…for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
not yet given = [in its fullness] because we know the Spirit was there see DA 805 below for confirmation.
“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.” {DA 805.2}
So, the outpouring of the spirit was being held back until Christ was glorified.
Q. Why did Christ have to go and be glorified, before the spirit could be given?
“During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness.” {AA 37.3}
Q. Why was the spirit never given in its fullness?
A. “Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.” {FLB 113.3}
Christ had to work out a perfect character in his humanity. It was this perfect life that He offered at the cross for us. Romans 5:9.
And this perfect life, His character (His spirit), He offers to impart to us. Romans 5:10.
Can you see that the spirit is the life of Christ.
“The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul.” {RH, October 26, 1897 par. 15}
Christ had to first live this life (work out a perfect character) before He could impart it to us. Christ brought glorified humanity back to heaven. It is this life that He offers to us 2 Peter 1:4
Q. How could this be done before Christ had lived this life?
Q. How could another do this in His place? (Hebrews 2:17, 18; 4:15)
This is why the spirit could not be given in its fullness.
This is why the spirit could not be given unless Christ was glorified.
His life had to be first:
1) Lived and perfected (overcome, Revelation 3:21),
2) Then Sacrificed,
3) Then glorified,
4) Then poured out upon His church.
Notice:-
“During His humiliation upon this earth, the Spirit had not descended with all its efficacy; and Christ declared that if He went not away, it would not come, but that if He went away, He would send it. It was a representation of Himself, and after He was glorified it was manifest.” {ST, May 17, 1899 par. 3}
Q. But why must Christ go away?
“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.” {DA 669.2}
The key to this passage is the first sentence:
“… while Christ was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper.”
(eg. Peter had great courage when he was with Christ, but denied Him, when he was without Him.)
While Jesus was with them personally, the disciples felt secure. They had no desire for the Spirit. They only wanted to stay close to Jesus in His physical presence. But those who were distanced would feel disadvantaged. With this mindset of the people, the saviour was cumbered, or hindered, and could not be in every place personally, (physically)
Christ endeavoured to get their minds off His physical presence to His spiritual presence. This He can only do by going away.
Notice the next line:-
“…Not until they were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come.” {DA 669.1}
In this way Christ in the Spirit is “divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof” (in other words, Christ is free to work independently with all His disciples)
This is why it says:
“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.”
Dear friend, please understand that no one else could fulfil this role. Jesus is our comforter. Jesus is the third person of the Godhead, in spirit. Inspiration declares that,
“He [Satan] has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter,” {RH, August 26, 1890 par. 10}
Putting the pieces together Third Person of the Godhead
Putting the pieces together Third Person of the Godhead
“Putting The Pieces Together” article.
“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, p. 37. (1897)” {Evangelism, p. 617}
The “third person of the Godhead” does not mean a third person in the Godhead. The “third person of the Godhead” was understood by Ellen White to be none other than the glorified life of Christ (His very own life), not another individual being different to Christ and the Father. Only this life of Christ can give us victory over sin (no one else in the universe can do it). This she calls the “third person of the Godhead.” When we follow the divine instruction and make use of the key for the Testimonies many misunderstandings will be resolved. The expression “third person of the Godhead” is today explained by many to mean a third individual god-being equal to the Father and Son. Let us allow the prophet (rather than anyone else) to explain to us what she meant by that expression. This is the safest thing to do if we truly desire to know the truth.
Who is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead?
“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}
Now let us read a similar statement with more context around it:
“The Spirit was given as a regenerating agency, 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 man to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given his Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress his own character upon the church.”{E. G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1904 par. 3}
Christ’s spirit is a divine power. It is “His own character” (His own life) not a different person to Him. What is the only power that can break the hold of evil from our hearts?
“Our condition through sin has become preternatural, and the power that restores us must be supernatural, else it has no value. There is but one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ.” {E. G. White, Testimonies Volume 8, p. 291}
“The divine Spirit that the world’s Redeemer promised to send is the presence and power of God.” {E. G. White, ST November 23, 1891, par. 1, Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 39.5}
"The Holy Spirit is the Spirit OF God; it is also the Spirit OF Christ." U. Smith, GC. Daily Bulletin Vol. 4, March 14,1891, pp. 146,147
"Here we find that the Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ." E.J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p. 23. 1890
"We learn from this language that when we speak of the Spirit of God, we are really speaking of his presence and power." J.N. Loughborough, Review and Herald, September 13,1898
"In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself."-Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 273.
If Christ be IN us, we are partakers of the DIVINE NATURE of GOD Himself! The Holy Spirit is come INTO us - which is God sent through Christ (their power (character) becomes our power (character)) BOTH living inside us. When we ask Him, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit (God Himself, his Divine Influences and power (character) -God IS a Spirit) to us!
'The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ.' It (GOD the Father's own Spirit=Himself) thus makes Christ everywhere present." (Psalm 139:7)
Therefore, the power of God, which is in Christ, is present in the third person. It is Christ and His power in the third person of the Godhead. It is not another person in the Godhead, no, it is the third person of (not in) the Godhead.
“There must be a power working from within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.” {E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 18}
“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 world. With 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}
Notice now how clearly she says that the life of Christ is what helps us resist temptation. The life of Christ is His spirit (not someone else!). This is the Comforter, this is the Holy Spirit, and this is what is called the “third person of the Godhead.”
“The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness.” {E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 324}
“Not until the life of Christ becomes a vitalizing power in our lives can we resist the temptations that assail us from within and from without.” {E. G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 130}
This life of Christ is a holy, spotless, blameless life. Since life is the spirit (John 6:63), therefore this holy life of Christ is His Holy Spirit!
“Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one who can arouse in the natural heart enmity against sin. He is the source of our power if we would be saved. No soul can repent without the grace of Christ. The sinner may pray that he may know how to repent. God reveals Christ to the sinner, and when he sees the purity of the Son of God, he is not ignorant of the character of sin. By faith in the work and power of Christ, enmity against sin and Satan is created in his heart.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 1, 1890 par. 5}
“The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God, binds the human agent, body, soul, and spirit, to the perfect, divine-human nature of Christ.” {E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 par. 16}
From the Bible we should have known this fact already from (Acts 3:26).
Therefore, if the power of evil can be held in check only by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, and it is Jesus who turns away every one of us from his iniquities (evil), then it is an obvious conclusion that Jesus aids us in this battle by giving us his very own holy life, his very own Holy Spirit (not another being different to Him). This Holy life of Christ is termed “the third person of the Godhead.”
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