Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground."
Romans 11:33 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen
“God is the eternal, self-existent One ... God is a person.” Manuscript 137, 1903.4.
“Christ is equal with God, infinite and omnipotent ... the eternal, self-existing Son.” Youth’s Instructor, June 21, 1900, par. 2.
“The Holy Spirit ... must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God.” Manuscript 20, 1906.32.
"I am instructed to say, The sentiments of those who are searching for advanced scientific ideas are not to be trusted. Such representations as the following are made: “The Father is as the light invisible; the Son is as the light embodied; the Spirit as the light shed abroad.” “The Father is like the dew, invisible vapor; the Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form; the Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life.” Another representation: “The Father is like the invisible vapor. The Son is like the leaden cloud. The Spirit is rain fallen and working in refreshing power.” {Ms21-1906.8} All these spiritualistic representations are simply nothingness. They are imperfect, untrue. They weaken and diminish the Majesty which no earthly likeness can be compared to. God cannot be compared with the things His hands have made. These are mere earthly things, suffering under the curse of God because of the sins of man. The Father cannot be described by the things of earth. The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and is invisible to mortal sight. {Ms21-1906.9} The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be “the express image of His person.” [Hebrews 1:3.] “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] Here is shown the personality of the Father. {Ms21-1906.10} The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness 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." {Ms21-1906.11}
"Every church member will be vigorous and fruitful in proportion as he honors the Father, who is not to be regarded as an essence but as a personal God who made man in His own image and likeness. {Ms93-1893.6} The Son of God, who is the express image of the Father’s person, became man’s Advocate and Redeemer. He humbled Himself in taking the nature of man in his fallen condition, but He did not take the taint of sin. As the second Adam He must pass over the ground where Adam fell, meet the wily foe who caused Adam’s and Eve’s fall, and be tempted in all points as man will be tempted, and overcome every temptation in behalf of man. To Him should man look—to Him who endured the “contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:3. While every human being is to be loved for Christ’s sake, not one is to be looked to as supreme in counsel and unerring in wisdom. {Ms93-1893.7} The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, in Christ’s name. He personifies Christ, yet is a distinct personality. We may have the Holy Spirit if we ask for it and make it [a] habit to turn to and trust in God rather than in any finite human agent who may make mistakes." {Ms93-1893.8}
"Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them His Spirit. “Go ye therefore,” He said, “and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father (a personal God), and of the Son (a personal Prince and Saviour), and of the Holy Ghost (sent from heaven to represent Christ); 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.” {Ms70a-1897
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"
Though this only comes in the final study, this is one of the most important topics we can look at. Before we consider “the LORD is one” we will consider where the Eternal “Three” are mentioned together in the Scriptures, as well as in the writings of Ellen White. The evidence is compelling for Three Distinct Persons in the Eternal Godhead. Then we will look at “the LORD is one” and consider why the portrayal of the “One” aspect is so important to our overall understanding of the Godhead, and why we can legitimately speak of the “only true God” all the while maintaining our understanding of three distinct Persons making up the Godhead.
“The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the eternal Godhead....” Manuscript 45, 1904.16.
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
“In regard to entering into the subject of the divine mystery of the essence of God, Christ ever maintained a wise reserve.” Manuscript 45, 1900.10.
To the curious I bear the message that God has instructed me not to frame answers to the questions of those who enquire, in regard to the things that have not been revealed. The things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children. Beyond this, human beings are not to attempt to go. We are not to attempt to explain that which God has not revealed. We are to study the revelation that Christ, the great Teacher, has given of the character of God, that in spirit and word and act we may represent Him to those who know Him not. Manuscript 132, 1903.30 In regard to the personality and prerogatives of God, where He is and what He is, this is a subject which we are not to dare to touch. On this theme silence is eloquence. It is those who have no experimental knowledge of God who venture to speculate in regard to Him. Did they know more of Him, they would have less to say about what He is. The one who in the daily life holds closest communion with God, and who has the deepest knowledge of Him, realizes most keenly the utter inability of human beings to explain the Creator. Manuscript 132, 1903.31.
“God is to be acknowledged more from what He does not reveal of Himself than from that which is open to our limited comprehension. If men could comprehend the unsearchable wisdom of God and could explain that which He has done or can do, they would no longer give Him reverence or fear His power. In divine revelation God has given to men mysteries that are incomprehensible, to command their faith. This must be so. If the ways and works of God could be explained by finite minds, He would not stand as supreme. Men may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinite beyond.” Manuscript 4, 1882.13.
There are numerous clear references to the “Three” throughout the Scriptures.
Because the Old Testament is not as explicit in revealing the three Persons of the Godhead as the New Testament, sometimes an Old Testament Scripture is paired to a New Testament Scripture; sometimes the evidence is based on two of the Persons rather than all three; and sometimes only an allusion to the plurality in the Godhead is provided.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Compare
2 Cor. 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
Psalms 45:6-7 “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Compare
Hebrews 1:8-9 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Psalms 110:1-2 “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
Compare
Hebrews 1:8,13 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ... 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”
*Isaiah 11:1-3 (NKJV) “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. 3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears.”
Isaiah 34:16 “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.”
*Isaiah 42:1 (NKJV) “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”
*Isaiah 48:16-17 “Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me. 17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
*Isaiah 61:1-2 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”
Isaiah 63:7-14 “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? 12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? 13 That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble? 14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.”
Malachi 3:1 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The verses that follow are sometimes referred to as the “plurals” of the Old Testament, and provide precious understandings. Weaker evidence in confirming the Godhead, the plurals are associated with the word ʼĕlôhîym, which is a commonly used word for God in the Old Testament, but can also describe other entities, including individuals (Psalm 82:6), angels (Psalm 8:6), and false gods (Exodus 20:23). ĕlôhîym is neither singular or dual, rather plural——Hebrew recognizes singular, dual and plural, the latter referring to three or more. Sometimes mistakenly considered “plurals of majesty,” the verses are not such “plurals” since the Scriptures contain no evidence that any king mentioned used such a “plural.” Our understanding of the Godhead is not dependent on these “plurals,” however, there being more than sufficient evidence in other ways.
*Genesis 1:26a “And God said, Let us make man in our image.”
*Genesis 3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil.”
Genesis 11:7 “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.”
Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
See Norman Gulley, “Trinity in the Old Testament,” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 17:1 (Spring 2006) Trinity Issue., 84,85, and Daniel Bediako, “God in 3 Persons—in the Old Testament,” BRI, (Release 10), to learn more about these plurals.
*Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Luke 2:25-27 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law.”
*Luke 3:21-22 “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
*Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
*John 3:33-35 “He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
*John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”
John 14:26 “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 15:26 “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
John 20:20-22 “And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
*Acts 2:38-39 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
*Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Romans 5:1,5 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ... 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Romans 8:2-3 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.”
Romans 8:9-11 “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. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
*Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Romans 14:17-18 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”
Romans 15:12-13 “And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
1 Corinthians 6:15,19 “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. ... 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 12:3-6 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
*2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
2 Corinthians 3:3-4 “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward.”
*2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
Galatians 6:8, 14-15 “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. … 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Ephesians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. ... 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
*Ephesians 2:18 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
Ephesians 2:20-22 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Ephesians 3:5, 8-9 “Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ... 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
*Ephesians 3:14-16 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:30-32 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 5:18-20 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
*1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, ... 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
Titus 3:4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
*1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
1 Peter 1:16-17,21-22 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: ... 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.”
*1 John 4:13-15 “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”
Jude 1:20-21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
*Revelation 2:7 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:27-29 “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 3:5-6 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 3:12-13 “12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 3:21-22 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Revelation 14:12-13 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”
Revelation 21:10, 22-23 “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. ... 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”
Evidence of the “Three” in the writings of Ellen White is compelling, though little known! She speaks of the “Three” in undeniable ways. These quotes were introduced in the study on the Holy Spirit. This listing is accordingly shorter. The quotes are arranged topically, and reveal the ongoing work of the Three Persons. The perspectives provided on the united work of the Members of the Godhead are wonderful and transformative, particularly relating to baptism.
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
*“The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily and is invisible to mortal sight. The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be “the express image of His person.” [Hebrews 1:3.] “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] Here is shown the personality of the Father. The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness 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.” Manuscript 21, 1906.9-11.
“The Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—were working in behalf of man. Every power in the heavenly universe was put into activity to carry forward the plan of redemption. Ellen White, Manuscript 47, 1901.6.
*“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. In order to fully carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin. What line can measure the depth of this love?” Letter 12, 1901.10.
“Christ came to this world and stood before men with the hoarded love of eternity. The whole ocean of divine love was flowing forth from its great center. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were working in behalf of man. Every power in the heavenly universe was put into activity to carry forward the plan of redemption.” Review and Herald, January 7, 1902, Art. A, par. 7.
“The three representative powers of the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, were pledged to carry out God’s plan for the salvation of the lost race.” Manuscript 139, 1907.10.
*“As the saints in the kingdom of God are accepted in the beloved, they hear: “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” [Matthew 25:34.] And then the golden harps are touched, and the music flows all through the heavenly host, and they fall down and worship the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Manuscript 139, 1906.32.
“The work of salvation is not a small matter, but so vast that the highest authorities are taken hold of by the expressed faith of the human agency. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the eternal Godhead is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent to unite all heaven to contribute to the exercise of human faculties to reach and embrace the fulness of the threefold powers to unite in the great work appointed, confederating the heavenly powers with the human, that men may become, through heavenly efficiency, partakers of the divine nature and workers together with Christ.” Manuscript 45, 1904.16.
“How many will today pledge themselves to serve God with heart and mind and strength? Do you not want God and Christ and the Holy Spirit to co-operate with you? They are pledged to do this if you will keep your covenant with God.” Manuscript 50, 1904.45.
*“To neglect this work is to insult Jehovah, to grieve the Holy Spirit, and to prove disloyal to Christ.” Review and Herald, July 18, 1899, Art. A, par. 7.
“Those who unite with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who show by their lives that they are no longer following the course they followed before they united with these divine instrumentalities, will receive wisdom from above. ” Manuscript 11, 1901.8.
“Keep yourselves where the three great powers of heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—can be your efficiency. These powers work with the man who gives himself unreservedly to God, heart and soul, and mind and strength.” Letter 102, 1903.11.
*“We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.” Letter 253a, 1903.18.
The “Three” are often listed in the same sentence.
“Let an abiding Christ live in the soul, and we shall show far greater wisdom then we have done. We shall know more of God and of Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit which opens the door for us to advance. We need to manifest the Spirit of Christ. If we have not received all we should have had, shall we now say, “Pay me that thou owest?” It is the Lord’s, and we will say, “Return to God His own.” Letter 43, 1899.49.
“We are to be engaged in gospel missionary work. We are brought into connection with God, who is the God of all comfort; into fellowship with the Son, who is our Redeemer and the consolation of Israel; and into communion with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.” Manuscript 185, 1898.23.
“We are to “hold fast” and live up to all the light we receive from heaven. Why? Because God wants us to grasp the eternal truth, and act as His helping hand by communicating the light to those who are not acquainted with His love for them. When you gave yourself to Christ, you made a pledge in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the three great personal dignitaries of heaven. “Hold fast” to this pledge.” Manuscript 92, 1901.5.
“Christ tells them they were to fight in fellowship with all the children of light; that satanic agencies would combine their forces to extinguish the light of the life of Christ out of their ranks. But they were not left to fight the battles in their own human strength; that the angelic host coming as ministers of God would be in that battle, and also there would be the eternal heavenly dignitaries—God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit—arming them with more than mortal energy, and [who] would advance with them to the work, and convince the world of sin.” Manuscript 130, 1901.52.
“Christ promised His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit, who would bring all these things to their remembrance. “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.” Manuscript 15, 1898.10.
“What a salvation is revealed in the covenant by which God promised to be our Father, His <only begotten> Son our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit our Comforter, Counsellor, and Sanctifier. Upon no lower ground than this is it safe for us to place our feet.” Manuscript 15, 1898.20.
*“Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfilment of the covenant that God has made with those who bind themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, with His Son, and with His Spirit in holy fellowship. Have you been born again? Have you become a new being in Christ Jesus? Then co-operate with the three great powers of heaven who are working in your behalf. Doing this you will reveal to the world the principles of righteousness.” Signs of the Times, June 19, 1901, par. 4.
“I beseech those who claim to believe that Jesus has died for them, those who have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to come to Christ, believing that He will give them power to resist the enemy. If by our compassion and generosity, by our kind, tender words, we manifested His sweet Spirit, His righteousness, we should truly be lights in the world.” Manuscript 102, 1901.9.
“No requirement is laid upon man that Christ has not obeyed. We can overcome as He overcame, if we will avail ourselves of the help of the three great powers of heaven, who are waiting to answer the demand made upon them by God’s people for power to defeat satanic agencies.” Manuscript 181, 1905.10.
*“The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three holy dignitaries of heaven, have declared that they will strengthen men to overcome the powers of darkness. All the facilities of heaven are pledged to those who by their baptismal vows have entered into a covenant with God.” Manuscript 92, 1901.26.
“The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are seeking and longing for channels through which to communicate the divine principles of truth to the world.” Letter 43, 1901.8.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven (by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost): but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great (by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost) in the kingdom of heaven.’ The three highest authorities in the universe, with all the heavenly family, shall call great, in the fullest sense of the term, those who do and teach the commandments of our heavenly Father.” Manuscript 129, 1907.28.
*“After the believing soul has received the ordinance of baptism, he is to bear in mind that he is dedicated to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit. These three all co-operate in the great work of the covenant made by baptism in the sight of the heavenly universe. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit receive the believing soul into covenant relation with God.” Manuscript 56, 1900.26.
Luke 3:21-22 “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"
"In the name of whom were you baptized? You went down into the water in the name of the three great Worthies in heaven—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost you were buried with Christ in baptism; and you were raised up out of the water to live in newness of life. You were to have a new life. You were to live unto God; you were not to live unto yourself and keep yourself under your own supervision for fear someone would touch you and hurt you. {Ms95-1906.13} … Those who have been baptized can claim the help of the three great Worthies of heaven to keep them from falling, and to reveal through them a character that is after the divine similitude. … {Ms95-1906.23} … Here is where the work of the Holy Ghost comes in, after your baptism. You are baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. You are raised up out of the water to live henceforth in newness of life—to live a new life. You are born unto God, and youstand under the sanction and the power of the three holiest beings in heaven, who are able to keep you from falling. You are to reveal that you are dead to sin; your life is hid with Christ in God. Hidden “with Christ in God”—wonderful transformation. This is a most precious promise. When I feel oppressed and hardly know how to relate myself toward the work that God has given me to do, I just call upon the three great Worthies, and say: You know I cannot do this work in my own strength. You must work in me, and by me, and through me, sanctifying my tongue, sanctifying my spirit, sanctifying my words, and bringing me into a position where my spirit shall be susceptible to the movings of the Holy Spirit of God upon my mind and character." {Ms95-1906.29} [This is an especially important manuscript to study on this subject.]
"Let every soul be careful how he shall conduct himself after he has made his profession before many witnesses. Who are these witnesses? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and all the heavenly universe are witnesses of that burial in the water in the likeness of Christ’s death. Those who have been truly converted have been buried with Christ in the likeness of His death, and raised from the watery grave in the likeness of His resurrection, to walk in newness of life. By faithful obedience to the truth these are to make their calling and election sure." Ms57-1900.21
"We are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and these three great, infinite powers are unitedly pledged to work in our behalf if we will co-operate with them." {Ms144-1901.17}
"We took our baptismal vows in the presence of the three highest authorities of the heavenly courts—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We solemnly pledged ourselves before all Heaven to die to sin and to walk in newness of life. Have we been working out our own salvation with fear and trembling? or have we been living a worldly life, indulging in sin?" {Ms87-1902.36}
"No one is to take part in the solemn ordinance of baptism without giving the subject careful, prayerful thought. The candidates, and especially the youth, are to be carefully instructed in regard to the obligations they assume in taking this step. They 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 co-operate with them, to work in and through them. As they accept Christ as their Saviour, they receive power to become the sons of God. {Ms118-1902.4} … Fearful perils are before those who bear responsibilities in the cause of God—perils, the thought of which makes me tremble. But the word comes, “My hand is upon the wheel, and I will not allow men to control My work for these days. My hand is turning the wheel, and My providence will continue to work out the divine plans, irrespective of human inventions. Man’s plans will be overthrown, and the Lord God of heaven will reveal His glory. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit will work out heaven’s law. These three great powers have pledged themselves to bring to nought the inventions of idolatrous human minds. … In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities that we know not how to deal with, but let us not forget that the three great Powers of heaven are working, that a divine hand is on the wheel, and that God will bring His purposes to pass. He will gather from the world a people who will serve Him in righteousness, who will not bind yokes on the necks of their fellow beings, but will break every yoke of human invention." { MS118-1902 }
"Baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” [Matthew 28:19.] What are these three great Powers of heaven? We are baptized in their name. What does that mean? These heavenly Powers are obligated if we will place ourselves in right relation to God, according to the best of our accountability; if we will watch against the temptations of the enemy; if we will resist the devil, that he shall flee from us, if we guard our appetite—man is to do that which he can do for himself. And when he goes down into the water to be baptized and raised up out of the water he is to live a new life, and place himself so these three great Powers can cooperate with Him and He can cooperate with them. {Ms183-1907.7} … we want the holiness of the three great Powers that are pledged to keep us if we will comply with the conditions. But they cannot keep us unless we do. {Ms183-1907.11} … the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have pledged themselves at your baptism, and when you rise up out of the water, you pledged yourself to go under their jurisdiction, and that you would watch and pray, and would be grateful every day for the power that was given you to keep you in the right path, so that you should not fall. {Ms183-1907.27} … . The Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are promised to us." {Ms183-1907.32}
“Three highest powers in the universe.” Review and Herald, August 12, 1909, par. 3.
“Three great heavenly powers.” Manuscript 192, 1903.22; Manuscript 186, 1907.7.
“Three great Worthies in heaven.” Manuscript 95, 1906.13; Manuscript 145, 1906.12.
“Three mighty powers.” Manuscript 229, 1902.23; Manuscript 142, 1906.50.
“Three great infinite powers.” General Conference Bulletin, April 4, 1901, Art. A, par. 16.
“Eternal heavenly dignitaries.” Manuscript 130, 1901.52.
“Three great and glorious heavenly characters.” Manuscript 45, 1904.18.
“Three great authorities of heaven.” Manuscript 177, 1907.15.
“Three great personal dignitaries of heaven.” Manuscript 92 1901.5.
“Three highest authorities in the universe.” Manuscript 129, 1907.28.
“Three highest authorities of the heavenly courts.” Manuscript 87, 1902.36.
“Three holiest beings in heaven.” Manuscript 95, 1906.29.
“Three living persons of the heavenly trio.” Manuscript 21, 1906.11.
“Three representative powers of the Godhead.” Manuscript 139, 1907.10.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!”
The Bible not only speaks of the Three Persons of the Godhead, it also asserts “The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” The “Three,” which we have already studied, and the “LORD is one,” which we are about to study, are perfectly compatible. Because there are efforts to negate the “Three” in some quarters, in favor of various other understandings, the first three parts of this series of studies, and the first sections of this fourth part, have sought to clearly establish the scriptural foundation for Three distinct co-equal, divine, eternal Persons in the Godhead. Having hopefully succeeded in that effort, understanding the the “LORD our God, the LORD is one” is our next objective.
When we speak of the “Lord is one,” we are still speaking of the eternal Godhead that consists of three persons. Though there are three distinct Persons (plural, meaning more than one) we describe them as members of the “Godhead” (singular) never as “Godheads” (plural). We also baptize “in the name” (singular) of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” never in the “names.” In doing so, we are merely stating what the Bible teaches on the subject.
The three Persons, one God paradox is one of the great mysteries of the Bible, and is beyond what has been fully revealed in the Scriptures. But, as mentioned above, the “Three” and the “Lord is one” are perfectly compatible. To be faithful to the teachings of the Scriptures, we must equally accept the teachings regarding the Three Persons and those regarding one God. The challenge is integrating them.
Here is the official statement of the church:
“There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation.”
It is significant that our doctrinal statement does not attempt to explain the “everlasting to everlasting” duration of the Godhead’s existence, nor how “Three” can be “One.” Neither is there any attempt to explain. Discussing this challenge. Kwabena Donkor explains:
“The Bible seems not to go into the issue of how God is One, and we should not either. Just because the Christian tradition dealt with it does not mean we have to do the same. We may state the Bible’s view of God as One and Three without trying to explain it.”
References are sometimes made of the "Trinity." I don't choose to use the word in my studies because the word means different things to different people, and changed over time, thus bringing in confusion. Godhead was also not Ellen White's preferred term and I choose to follow her example. You can find helpful discussions on the this subject, but referred to as the Trinity, in Gerhard Pfandl, (2003) "The Trinity in Scripture," Journal of the Adventist Theological Society: Vol. 14 : Iss. 2 , Article 5. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/jats/vol14/iss2/5/ (accessed April 28, 2021); Woodrow Whidden, “Why the Trinity Is Important,” The Trinity: Understanding God’s Love, His Plan of Salvation and Christian Relationships (Hagerstown: Review and Herald, 2002) 243-244; John Reeve, "Why We Don't Worship Three Gods" (2020). Faculty Publications. 1204. (https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/1204/); Daniel Scarone, The God We Worship, (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2011), 101.
“The LORD Our God”refers to the Godhead made up of Three Persons. This is the mysterious paradox already spoken of. Though there are three distinct Persons that make up the Godhead, there are numerous verses in the Scriptures that speak of one God. As we will learn, the complete unity between the Persons of the Godhead allows them to be accurately spoken of as a single entity. Though we are not given much information in this regard, at the very least one of the reasons would include their self-effacing humility.
To the Hebrews, who knew little to nothing regarding the distinct persons in the Godhead, the injunction to worship the one God was especially comparative in nature, relative to the pagan worship going on around them. Hidden within the assertion of Deuteronomy 6:4, however, was a great and profound truth that we will consider later: that the one God was made up of a unity of Three Persons!
*Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
Deuteronomy 4:35,39 “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. ... 39 Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
*1 Kings 8:60 “That all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:5-6,18 “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. ... 18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. ... 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Zechariah 14:9 “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”
Mark 12:29 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord.”
John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”
1 Corinthians 8:4 “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”
Ephesians 4:6 “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
We cannot fully understand or explain why “one God” is also “Three Persons,” but the Bible teaches both, and we must accept the teaching. Note that accepting the “One,” however, does not diminish or negate the “Three”!
These “unlimited” attributes that enable the maximum that deity can do, were exhausted in the plan of salvation, and are incommunicable—cannot be communicated—with lesser beings.
*Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
*Psalms 90:2 “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”
John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Jeremiah 23:24 “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.”
Matt. 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Psalms 139:7-12 “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.9 If I take the wings of the morning,and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me,and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me;even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day:the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
*Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
Matthew 6:8 “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
*John 21:17 “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
Romans 8:27 “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Ps. 65:16 “That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth.”
Psalms 143:10 “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
Acts 3:14 “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.”
Nehemiah 9:20 “Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.”
**Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
*John 1:3 “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Colossians 1:16-17 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
John 5:21 “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”
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.”
Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”
Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
Isaiah 57:15” For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;”
Romans 8:9-11 “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. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Ephesians 2:4-8 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
*1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
*Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
The “One” of Deuteronomy 6:4—ʼechâd refers to uniqueness and unity—a unitary “one”—a unity in diversity of numerous persons, such as is found in the marriage relationship between a husband and wife, or the unity found in a group of people who have come together for a common purpose. There is also the mathematical form of “one,” yâchîyd, that refers to an only son or child (Prov 4:3; Zech 12:10).
There are two words for “one” in Hebrew: ʼechâd and yâchîyd. ʼEchâd refers to the unity in diversity between a man and wife, or the unity in diversity of a group of people who are linked together for some reason (Gen 2:24; 11:6; Judges 20:11; Ezek 37:19). Yâchîyd refers to uniqueness, as in an only son or an only child (Prov 4:3; Zech 12:10). For a more complete discussion see Gulley, 83-84. The authors of Trinity have a very helpful definition as well: a “oneness that results from a unity of numerous persons.” Find a more complete discussion in W. Whidden, 34.
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Judges 20:11 “So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.”
Proverbs 4:3 (NKJV) “When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
In studying this topic, it helps to remember that God is past finding out, His ways are incomprehensible, He defies human reasoning! We must therefore be satisfied with the limited information provided.
When we speak of the mysterious oneness between the Three Persons of the Godhead, we touch the core of the Godhead. Just as the unity of God’s church is the clearest revelation of the God we represent, so the apparent unity between the Persons of the Godhead provides the clearest information on what the Godhead is all about. Among these elements are love, unity, diversity, humble self-effacement and ongoing submission in a relationship of equals.
Perfect, loving relationships existed among the Godhead from the beginning. In the course of fulfilling the plan of redemption, Christ gave His life for us, and eventually experienced temporary, heart-breaking separation from His Father. The Father experienced a similar aching separation from His Son. We often forget the personal trauma that the members of the Godhead experienced in this respect. There are quotes about the infinite love of the Father for Christ.
*John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Matthew 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mark 14:36 “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”
Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
“God withheld not even the sacrifice of Himself. He gave Himself in His Son. The Father suffered with Christ in all His humiliation and agony” Manuscript 21, 1900.11.
“[T]he Father demonstrates His infinite love for Christ by receiving and welcoming Christ’s friends as His friends.” Experiences in Australia, 259.5.
The three divine Persons of the Godhead are perfectly united in nature, character, and purpose. The Godhead presents a unity that is so complete that it can be correctly expressed in the singular! Though they are Three, they are referred to as one God.
*John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”
John 17:21 “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
“Those to whom the Lord spoke anciently were in possession of the knowledge of the true God. Their message to the world was the existence of a personal God and the unity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in carrying forward the great work of redemption in every soul that is emptied of self.” Manuscript 78, 1905.20.
“Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 34.1.
“From eternity there was a complete unity between the Father and the Son. They were two, yet little short of being identical; two in individuality, yet one in spirit, and heart, and character.” The Youth Instructor, December 16, 1897, par. 5.
There is also diversity in unity. Though they are perfectly united, they still have their distinct personalities and specific functions.
1 John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, ... 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
“Christ’s oneness with the Father was a constant joy to God; for He knew that there was in the world one who would not misrepresent Him. In Christ He beheld the reflection of His own character. And it was that His followers might have this same oneness that was Christ’s great desire. For this oneness He prayed.” Letter 317, 1904.6 … “The oneness existing between the Father and the Son does not affect the distinct personality of each. And though believers are to be one with Christ, their identity and personality is recognized through the whole of this prayer.” Letter 317, 1904.10.
“All through the Scriptures, the Father and the Son are spoken of as two distinct personages. You will hear men endeavoring to make the Son of God a nonentity. He and the Father are one, but they are two personages.” Manuscript 56, 1905.4.
“The position of Jesus Christ in reference to His Father is in these verses [Hebrews 1:1-3] brought to view. While they are one in purpose, and one in mind, yet in personality they are two.” Manuscript 179, 1907.2.
In the Godhead we find perfect unity between three distinct Persons. This could only be possible because the Three are completely rooted in humility. In the very first verse in the Bible we find this self-effacing humility in the declaration that “God created the heaven and the earth.” Though the verse speaks of the work of God creating, the actual creator was Christ. [John 1:3: “All things were created by Him”; Colossians 1:16: “For by him were all things created”; Hebrews 1:2 “By whom also he made the worlds.”] Hidden within the designation “God” are “Three” who were present and participated in different ways, but participated with such self-effacing humility and unity that “God created” is an accurate description of what happened—Though Christ was the primary agent of creation, the Father created through Him (Ephesians 3:9), and the Spirit was very present (Genesis 1:2).
We should also consider that revelation is progressive. For example, Christ revealed Himself as “Almighty God” to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but revealed Himself as YHWH to Moses at the time of Exodus. [Exodus 6:2,3. Recall that Christ took over all communication after the fall of man.] Though the Spirit was very active in the Old Testament, more complete information only comes in the New Testament. That could explain why the Jewish people who had more limited information in Old Testament times focused so much on Deuteronomy 6:4 and related passages, but would have a more complete understanding at the time of Christ’s earthly sojourn.
Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Though they are equals, the Father apparently plays the lead role; Christ voluntarily submits Himself to the Father, and continues that submission while seated at the right hand of the Father; the Holy Spirit is in voluntary submission to the Father and Christ.
*John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
*Hebrews 10:7 “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”
Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
John 16:14 “He [Holy Spirit] shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”
“The work of the Spirit had been clearly defined by Christ. “He shall not speak of Himself,” He said. “He shall glorify Me.” [John 16:13, 14.] As Christ came to glorify the Father by the revelation of His infinite love, so the Spirit came to glorify Christ.” Letter 213, 1903.12.
The Bible is clear that God not only loves, He is the source of all love!
“The Lord has instructed us to call God our Father, to regard him as the fountain of paternal affection, the source of the love that has been flowing from century to century through the channel of the human heart. All the pity, compassion, and love which have been manifested in the earth have emanated from the throne of God, and, compared to the love that dwells in his heart, are as a fountain to an ocean.” Signs of the Times, March 5, 1896, par. 3.
*1 John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
1 John 1:5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
Exodus 34:6-7 “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”
*2 Corinthians 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.”
“In Christ the character of the Father was revealed. As children looked upon his countenance, they saw purity and goodness shining forth from his eyes. In his countenance gentleness, meekness, love, and conscious power were combined. But though every word, every gesture, every expression of his face, betokened his divine supremacy, humility marked his deportment and bearing. He came but for one purpose; and that was the salvation of the lost.” The Youth’s Instructor, June 23, 1892, par. 3.
We should be loving.
John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
We should be united.
1 Corinthians 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
We must maintain our individuality—diversity.
Romans 12:5 “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
“By the figure of the vine and the branches, Christ illustrated not only the relation that should exist between Him and His followers, but also the union between every believer and his fellow believer. The branches of the vine are related to each other; but they are not alike. Each has its own individuality, which cannot be merged into that of another, but all have a special connection with each other.” Letter 112, 1907.13.
We should be humble.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
We should appropriately submit to those in rightful authority over us.
Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”