The Personhood of the Holy Spirit is best established through a careful Scriptural study of the Holy Spirit's personal activity in the Early Church.
Such a study reveals that the Holy Spirit did many things that only a "person" could do. There are also activities that only a Deity could do.
There is also the evidence found in the many verses of Scripture where the Holy Spirit is listed along with the Father and Christ in the same verses or section of verses. This evidence is abundant!
You will find abundant evidence of these two lines of evidence in the Bible Study on the Holy Spirit.
When looking at the writings of Ellen White, there are the quotations where we find the person-oriented activities of the Holy Spirit, the direct statements about the Personhood the Holy Spirit, the statements where the Holy Spirit is listed with the Father and Christ, and most importantly, what I refer to as the "Three" statements of the Godhead.
Below you will find quotations where the Three Persons of the Godhead are listed, followed by a descriptor using the word "Three." There are more than 25 of these, and some of these are used many times.
After looking at the many examples, it becomes clear that the Holy Spirit was a distinct Person and Member of the Eternal Godhead. All of these statements include all three of the Persons, not just two.
I have purposely chosen to give many examples. Remember, however, that these are only a sampling! Some of the examples are found in multiple quotations.
There may seem to be some repetition, however there are tiny differences between the descriptors which sometimes provide additional meaning worthy of noting, or at least suggest a source for more "Three" quotations.
As you read the many exam[les of statements on this page, I think you will agree that the Personhood of the Holy Spirit is clearly established.—Dan
Here are various descriptors of the Godhead that reveal the Personhood of the Godhead, including the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the most common statements in which the Holy Spirit is listed with the other two Persons of the Godhead. There are more than 395 of these statements in the books, periodicals and unpublished writings. I excluded the devotional books and manuscript releases since they would bring many duplicates.
"This is the true test—the doing of the words of Christ. And it is the evidence of the human agent’s love to Jesus, and he that doeth His will giveth to the world the practical evidence of the fruit he manifests in obedience, in purity, and holiness of character. “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him.” “We,” that is, the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost—“and make our abode with him.” [Verse 23.] O, my brother, walk carefully with God. But remember that there are some whose eyes are intently fixed upon you, expecting that you will overreach the mark, and stumble and fall. But if you keep in humility close to Jesus, all is well." {Lt44-1893.12}
"Before He left them, Christ gave His followers a positive promise that after His ascension He would send them the Holy 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.” [Matthew 28:19, 20.] {Ms41-1897.34}
I want you to think of the commission given to the disciples by Christ just before His ascension. “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth,” He said. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:18-20.] I see distinctly that our ministering brethren need to reach a high standard. They are not to listen to the evil things said of their brethren in any place until they first talk with those spoken against to learn whether the reports are just or most cruelly unjust. But there are those who do not follow this course. They believe the disparaging things said of their fellow workers and tell them from place to place all over the field. Thus impressions that are false in every respect are left on minds." {Ms21-1911.13}
This is the other exceedingly common list, found throughout the writings of Ellen White. There are almost 300 of these statements.
"Here we have the whole history, a wonderful history of conversion and the workings of the Holy Spirit of God upon hearts, and what we want today is that the light that came to them should come to us and should impress our minds strongly. Is it not time now that we should indeed come to God in the simplicity of His Word and present His Word to the Father and to the Son? Here we have the prophecy God has given, and here is the blessing that came." {Ms74-1911.3}
The word "Godhead" is used more than 200 times.
"Christ will be ashamed to call many who claim to be Christians, His brethren; but when those who have born responsibilities in His cause strive to enter the strait gate, the pitying Saviour will stand by their side to help them. He would send every angel out of heaven rather than let the striving soul perish. Christ ever has sympathy with the weak and will fight their battles for them. He knows just how to help them in all their strivings. How thankful ought we to be that we have as a Redeemer the Son of God. In Him dwelleth the Godhead bodily. He has infinite power. We cannot be too earnest in searching the Scriptures if we would be familiar with the exceeding great and precious promises which are found therein." {Ms19-1888.12}
"Christ unites in His person the fulness and perfection of the godhead and the fulness and perfection of sinless humanity. He met all the temptations by which Adam was assailed and overcame these temptations because in His humanity He relied upon divine power. This subject demands far more contemplation than it receives. Christians strike too low. They are content with a superficial spiritual experience, and therefore they have only the glimmerings of light, when they might have far greater knowledge, when they might discern more clearly the wonderful perfection of Christ’s humanity, which rises far above all human greatness, all human power. Christ’s life is a revelation of what fallen human beings may become through union and fellowship with the divine nature. The more deeply we study the life and character of our Redeemer, the more clearly shall we see the Father as He is, full of goodness and mercy, love and truth." {Ms31-1911.6}
"Three distinct agencies, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, work together for human beings. They are united in the work of making the church on earth like the church in heaven. They place the resources of heaven at the disposal of those who will appreciate and impart these spiritual treasures, multiplying them by using them to the glory of God. Every diligent effort to improve adds to the gifts we have. The powers of heaven work with human beings on the plan of multiplication." {Ms27a-1900.22}
"In baptism we are given to the Lord as a vessel to be used. Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God. The three great powers in heaven are witnesses; they are invisible but present." {Ms57-1900.10}
“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” [Verse 16.] We are ordained unto God to bear fruit. Was this not our experience when we were led down into the water and baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost? What did that mean?—It meant that the three great powers in heaven were pledged to keep us so long as we remain one with Christ, united to the vine." {Ms37-1908.24}
"Our sanctification is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is the fulfilment of the covenant God has made with those who bind themselves up with Him, to stand with Him, His Son, and 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. Thus you will reveal to the world the principles of righteousness." {Ms11-1901.4}
“'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}
"Those who proclaim the third angel’s message must put on the whole armor of God, that they may stand boldly at their post, in the face of detraction and falsehood, fighting the good fight of faith, resisting the enemy with the Word, “It is written.” 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 one who gives himself unreservedly to God. The strength of heaven is at the command of God’s believing ones. The man who makes God His trust is barricaded by an impregnable wall." {Lt1-1904.2}
"Well, now, that is, if you maintain your baptismal vows. Here was a contract made with God. We were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and the contract was made with God that these three great heavenly powers would be with us, to help us at every step, it we will unite with these powers to be helped. Now take hold by faith. Believe that Christ will do for us just what He said He would. Now think of this through the week, and when anything comes up to disturb you, and trouble and worry you, be determined that you will not give place to the devil by giving place to words that will not honor God. And every one of you, young and old, can obtain the most glorious, beautiful victory. You can obtain, and you can rejoice in your Saviour." {Ms192-1903.22}
"This is the work to be done in every family. Parents, your neglect to do this work will be revealed in the characters of your children and in your own relation to the church. You have pledged yourself to fulfill your obligations to your children, and the fact that you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is an assurance that these powers will help you in every emergency, if you will claim their help. The Lord will hear and answer the prayers of His sincere followers, who wear Christ’s yoke and learn in His school His meekness and lowliness of heart. The obligations in the spiritual agreement entered into at baptism are mutual. As human beings act their part with wholehearted obedience, they have a right to pray, “Let it be known, Lord, that thou art God in Israel.” [1 Kings 18:36.]" {Ms70-1900.8}
"Now that is a wonderful promise. I am determined to keep His commandments and abide in His love, and every soul of us must do this if we answer to the vows of our baptism. Here we were baptized to be dead unto the world and its sinful propensities, when we offered ourselves in baptism. Then the baptism took place in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, the three great powers in heaven. These powers we have taken hold of. If we are dead to sin and to the distractions of the world, we will not be anxious to dress just like the world, to talk just like the world, because there is a distinction. You are drawing from the Source, and the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost is pledged to every soul that will lay right hold upon His grace—that will pray, that will sacrifice, that will cut off these hindrances that shut the heart to the suggestions of Jesus Christ. Now we want every soul of us to be in the position that we are men and women of prayer." {Ms182-1907.10}
"Have you been baptized in these names? These three highest powers in heaven are pledged to you if you have died unto sin, been buried with Christ in baptism, and rise, to live just the same life you did before? No,—in newness of life. These powers are pledged and they will never fail one of you. You can just as surely and utterly rely upon these powers when you are downcast. And when you are oppressed, you may remember that pledge—the three highest powers of heaven—that you need not obey the world; you need not follow their fashions; you need not be corrupted with their society. Come right out from the world. “Be ye separate and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] Are you not glad of that? Have we not reason to rejoice? We certainly have. [Matthew 28] Verse 20." {Ms191-1905.20}
"When you baptize them, and you see that they are in error in any respect, do you, any one of you that feel that you have a message from God, go to them kindly, and tell them, between them and you alone, where their trouble is, and where their difficulties will come in unless they change the course of their action? This is the work that is to rest upon us. And then what? Why, it says, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” [Verse 19.] Three personalities; and these three personalities are the pledged power from God that His people shall have, if they have been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Now there is no excuse for souls to be left in ignorance and weakness if they will be gospel believers, if they will carry out these principles, and know that the three great Worthies, the Powers in heaven, are pledged to the church of God that will work in harmony with Christ’s teachings." {Ms139-1906.15}
"The presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the three highest powers in the universe, and those in whose name the believer is baptized, is pledged to be with every striving soul. They will impart grace and strength to all who will watch unto prayer, to all who will purify the soul by obedience to the truth. And they will make the believer instrumental in leading other souls to accept Christ by faith." {Ms67-1908.4}
"The Lord has pledged himself to make his name a praise in the earth. What power he has promised to all who will work in co-operation with heaven! The three highest powers in the universe are pledged to labor with those who will seek to save the lost. God wants his people to claim his promised help for the accomplishment of his work in the world. 'Harken unto me, my people;” he declares; “and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.'" {RH August 12, 1909, par. 3}
"The world has no claim to our service; for by a solemn, holy covenant we accepted God’s badge of service at the time of our baptism. On that occasion we pledged ourselves, in the presence of the three great heavenly Powers, to come out from the world and be separate." {Ms130-1902.15}
"Now, every soul that claims to believe in Christ is to be a partaker of the divine nature, His nature which they accepted when they were led down into the water, when they were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. What does that mean? They have extended their service. They here were led down into the water, and three great heavenly powers were vouched to care for them, to work for them, if they carry out the principles, come out from the world and be separate, and do not be just as they were before they professed to be followers of Christ. What evidence has He given you of the work that He requires every one of us to do?" {Ms186-1907.7}
"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." {Lt253a-1903.18}
"Have you been baptized in these names? These three highest powers in heaven are pledged to you if you have died unto sin, been buried with Christ in baptism, and rise, to live just the same life you did before? No,—in newness of life. These powers are pledged and they will never fail one of you. You can just as surely and utterly rely upon these powers when you are downcast. And when you are oppressed, you may remember that pledge—the three highest powers of heaven—that you need not obey the world; you need not follow their fashions; you need not be corrupted with their society." {Ms191-1905.20}
Those who come out of the world in spirit and in all practice may regard themselves as sons and daughters of God. They may believe His word as a child believes every word of his parents. Every promise is sure to him that believes. 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. They will not depend on human wisdom. In order to deal righteously with the world, as members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, Christians must feel their need of a power which comes only from the heavenly agencies who have pledged themselves to work in their behalf. After we have formed a union with the great threefold power, we shall regard our duty toward the members of God’s family with a much more sacred awe than we have ever done before. This is a phase of religious reform that very few appreciate. Those who seek to answer the prayer, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” [Matthew 6:10], will seek by living pure, sanctified lives to show to the world how the will of God is done in heaven. {Ms11-1901.8}
"When you went down into the water and were baptized in the name of the three great Worthies in heaven, you professed to be dead unto the world. As a solemn token of your profession of faith, you were laid under the water, in the sight of the heavenly universe, and were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. At that time, the apostle declares, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid”—where?—“with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.] He who chooses to have a living connection with our Saviour will have a living connection with our God; and he will exemplify the spirit of Christ in life and character. "{Ms145-1906.12}
"Our pledge was to not sin against God. And the pledge, the baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, commits every soul that enters the family of God, that binds up with Jesus Christ, that in every perplexity they have a Father; they have the Son, and the Holy Ghost—the three mighty powers of heaven. If they call upon God, He will help them in every emergency."{Ms229-1902.23}
"Give us power to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And there with these three mighty powers promised, how can our faith be a nonentity, how can our faith be feeble and weak?" {Ms142-1906.50}
"The open path, the safe path of walking in the way of His commandments, is a path from which there is no safe departing. And when men follow their own human theories dressed up in soft, fascinating representations, they make a snare in which to catch souls. In the place of devoting your powers to theorizing, Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go through and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. 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." {Ms45-1904.16}
"Have you thought of what this means to us;—that in this prayer is included every son and daughter of Adam, who will believe in Christ as a personal Saviour, and take the requisite steps in repentance, conversion, faith, and baptism? We are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, and these three great, infinite powers are unitedly pledged to work in our behalf if we will co-operate with them. We are buried with Christ in baptism as an emblem of his death. We are raised from the water as an emblem of his resurrection. We are to live as new-born souls, that we may be raised at the last great day. You are to live in newness of life; for you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” This is where you are to place your treasure." {GCB April 4, 1901, Art. A, par. 16}
"Those who come out of the world in spirit and in all practice may regard themselves as sons and daughters of God. They may believe His word as a child believes every word of his parents. Every promise is sure to him that believes. 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. They will not depend on human wisdom. In order to deal righteously with the world, as members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King, Christians must feel their need of a power which comes only from the heavenly agencies who have pledged themselves to work in their behalf. After we have formed a union with the great threefold power, we shall regard our duty toward the members of God’s family with a much more sacred awe than we have ever done before. This is a phase of religious reform that very few appreciate. Those who seek to answer the prayer, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” [Matthew 6:10], will seek by living pure, sanctified lives to show to the world how the will of God is done in heaven." {Ms11-1901.8}
"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." {Ms45-1904.16}
"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}
"The open path, the safe path of walking in the way of His commandments, is a path from which there is no safe departing. And when men follow their own human theories dressed up in soft, fascinating representations, they make a snare in which to catch souls. In the place of devoting your powers to theorizing, Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go through and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. 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." {Ms45-1904.16}
"The Lord Jesus described the difficulties they [would] meet. Having called their minds to rise to an eminence, He bids them look and behold the vast confederacy of evil arrayed against God, against Christ, against all who unite with these holy powers. 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." {Ms130-1901.52}
"The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, powers infinite and omniscient, receive those who truly enter into covenant relation with God. They are present at every baptism, to receive the candidates who have renounced the world and have received Christ into the soul temple. These candidates have entered into the family of God, and their names are inscribed in the Lamb’s book of life." {Ms27a-1900.10}
"The heavenly powers have pledged themselves to minister to human agents to make the name of God and of Christ and of the Holy Spirit their living efficiency, working and energizing the sanctified man, to make this name above every other name. All the treasures of heaven are under obligation to do for man infinitely more than human beings can comprehend by multiplying threefold the human with the heavenly agencies." {Ms45-1904.17}
"Every opportunity, every advantage, every privilege, has been given to us to gain a rich Christian experience; but we do not learn everything all at once. There must be a growth. Many, having learned a little in school, think they are ready to graduate. They think they know about all that is worth knowing. We are not to think that as soon as we are baptized we are ready to graduate from the school of Christ. When we have accepted Christ, and in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit have pledged ourselves to serve God, the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the three dignitaries and powers of heaven—pledge themselves that every facility shall be given to us if we carry out our baptismal vows to “come out from among them, and be ... separate, ... and touch not the unclean thing.” When we are true to our vows, He says, “I will receive you.” [2 Corinthians 6:17.]" {Ms85-1901.4}
"Three distinct agencies, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, work together for human beings. They are united in the work of making the church on earth like the church in heaven. They place the resources of heaven at the disposal of those who will appreciate and impart these spiritual treasures, multiplying them by using them to the glory of God. Every diligent effort to improve adds to the gifts we have. The powers of heaven work with human beings on the plan of multiplication." {Ms27a-1900.22}
"By our baptismal pledge we avouched and solemnly confessed the Lord Jehovah as our Ruler. We virtually took a solemn oath, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that henceforth our lives would be merged into the life of these three great agencies, that the life we should live in the flesh would be lived in faithful obedience to God’s sacred law. We declared ourselves dead, and our life hid with Christ in God, that henceforth we should walk with Him in newness of life, as men and women having experienced the new birth. We acknowledged God’s covenant with us and pledged ourselves to seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. By our profession of faith we acknowledged the Lord as our God and yielded ourselves to obey His commandments. By obedience to God’s Word we testify before angels and men that we live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." {Ms67-1907.12}
"The three great and glorious heavenly characters are present on the occasion of baptism. All the human capabilities are to be henceforth consecrated powers to do service for God in representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost upon whom they depend. All heaven is represented by these three in covenant relation with the new life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.]" {Ms45-1904.18}
"I have seen in Christ matchless charms. And yet I have thought, how few will risk themselves on the promise! “Now therefore go ye, teaching them.” [Verse 19.] “Christ.” O there is a power in these words! When you gave yourself up to die to the world, you were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. The three great authorities of heaven that are pledged, pledged to be with you, will carry you through the temptations and trials that there are in this life, if you will only be obedient. The Word, we must keep the Word. “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.” [Verse 20.] Now, I take Christ at His word. And I have been at work more or less in a limited manner at first, but I have gone very widely over the world to carry the message that He has given to me." {Ms177-1907.15}
"At the baptismal ceremony we virtually take a most solemn oath in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, that henceforth our lives will be merged into the life of these three great individual Agencies; that the life we now live in the flesh we will live in faithful obedience to God’s sacred and holy law, keeping all His statutes and His commandments; that we will live in newness of life as men and women having a new birth unto God. We, as new born souls born to live in newness of life, acknowledge God’s covenant, that [we] are in reality pledging ourselves by a solemn oath to seek henceforth those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. By our profession of faith we acknowledge the Lord as our God, and pledge ourselves to obey His commandments." {Ms68-1900.12}
"Christ is the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. From Him teachers must learn what to teach, that by their lessons they may show that they are striving to answer His prayer. The fruits of His rich grace will appear as they receive His glory, or character. Their unity will be complete. Their lives, hid with Christ in God, will be made perfect in one. The excellence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit will appear in them as, in conformity with their baptismal vows, they give themselves to obedience to God’s will. The Redeemer gives them the glory given to Him. The three great Instrumentalities of heaven co-operate for their complete and perfect unity, that the world may see in their lives the fruit of heaven and the excellence of the principles of truth." {Ms11-1901.19}
"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." {Ms92-1901.5}
"'All power' are the words used to show the authority of Jesus Christ. “Is given unto me,” as Mediator between God and man. “Teach all nations,” for the purpose of persuading them to become My disciples. “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”—the three great personal powers, the authorities of heaven. “And, lo, I am with you,” in the work—to guide you, to comfort you, to sanctify and sustain you in this aggressive warfare; to render you successful in bringing many souls to acknowledge the truth, confessing their sins." {Lt205-1901.8}
"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.” [Verses 17-19.] 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." {Ms129-1907.28}
"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? The apostle’s instruction is: “Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” [Verses 1-4.]" {Ms87-1902.36}
"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 you stand 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. [Colossians 3:3.] 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}
"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." {Ms92-1901.26}
"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}
"When you baptize them, and you see that they are in error in any respect, do you, any one of you that feel that you have a message from God, go to them kindly, and tell them, between them and you alone, where their trouble is, and where their difficulties will come in unless they change the course of their action? This is the work that is to rest upon us. And then what? Why, it says, “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” [Verse 19.] Three personalities; and these three personalities are the pledged power from God that His people shall have, if they have been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Now there is no excuse for souls to be left in ignorance and weakness if they will be gospel believers, if they will carry out these principles, and know that the three great Worthies, the Powers in heaven, are pledged to the church of God that will work in harmony with Christ’s teachings." {Ms139-1906.15}
"Before that Gift could be bestowed, the Church of heaven was stirred to its unfathomable depths. Of all His infinite resources, God gave the whole. 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. Thus fully did the Lord engage the heavenly universe in the work of redemption. How few understand and appreciate this infinite sacrifice!" {Ms139-1907.10}
"Let it into your soul. It is all waiting to take possession of the heart. The threefold powers in heaven are waiting to lift up for you a standard against the enemy, as you draw nigh to God in humble prayer, and let your petition take right hold of the Mighty One."{Ms229-1902.41}
"Christ has given you a work to do. His commission is, Go through and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Before the disciples shall compass the threshold, there is to be the imprint of the sacred name, baptizing the believers in the name of the threefold powers in the heavenly world. The human mind is impressed in this ceremony, the beginning of the Christian life. It means very much. 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." {Ms45-1904.16}