Holy Spirit

Marion SDA Church

4/26/2025

Today I talk about the Holy Spirit and the view of the SDA church.

the SDA churh has 28 fundamental beliefs. These beliefs, we have come to understand come from the bible, and are the fundamental beliefs we believe in becoming members of this church.

today, we’re going to speak on #5, Holy Spirit.

on. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the I’ll read it : God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the SFather and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth.

I’ll be using certain words like, Godhead, Triune, Trio, I’ll try to avoid Trinity, or trinitarian. these all mean the same thing. “God as one being existing in three co-equal, co-eternal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.”

in the last 20 plus years in the SDA church, there’s been an increase in activity of the teaching against the Triune God.

Now, the official teaching of the church has not changed. But, there are some coming in, that don’t believe in the the Triune, or Godhead.

Internet

Holy Spirit is referred in the bible in metaphors, “Dove, Wind, Fire”  Symbols used. The HS is different from us, and it’s hard to sometimes grasp that.

Some think that the Trinity doctrine comes from the Catholic church. “Must be false” The word “trinity” is not in the bible, but the concept is. Just like the word Millennium, not in the bible.

Some Adventists want to “turn back” to the early days of the church. While the church embraces the “triune” God, this was not always the case. the early members did not believe in the Trinity, up until ~1890’s. the early leaders took an Arian position. This view teaches that at some time Christ did NOT exist and that His divinity was given to Him later by the Father, after He was created and therefore He is inferior to the Father. This was the belief of many early leaders in our SDA church. there’s a reason for this. In regards to the HS, they regarded the HS as an “influence” or “power” emanating from the Father of Jesus, but NOT a person. Thus, the HS, was NOT viewed as the 3rd person of the Godhead.

we have to understand that during the mid 1800’s, the Millerite movement; what made up that early group, were individuals that came from many other denominations. two of these were, the Christian Connection church and Christian church (against Trinity). The Catholic church taught that God was One person, manifested in 3 different ways. So our early leaders fought against that. But they threw the baby out with the bathwater! They went too far with it. Joseph Bates, J. Andrews, James White, and others held this position. However, they grew in understanding and before their deaths changed their position as they continued to study their Bibles.

The tipping point was 1888, the crisis of Righteousness by Faith. as our denomination began to study, the righteousness of Christ, they began to realize that in order for Christ to be our righteousness and atonement for sin, He had the be divine. He had to be coeternal with the Father, in order for His price to pay for our sin.

so a movement began, about 30 years after 1888, that Christ was fully divine and coeternal with the Father. It took longer for our denomination to figure out the personhood of the HS. it took a while, the truth is progressive and understanding. (how many of you believe that when Christ comes back a 2nd time, we will know everything?) (No, we will spend eternity learning the mysteries about God)

new truth never overrides old truth. it builds on it. Example: Sabbath.

In 1837 a lady named Rachel Oakes (Methodist) became a 7th Day Baptist church. She joined the Millerite movement in 1843. She started teaching the leadership about the Saturday Sabbath. Joseph Miller prints a pamphlet in 1846 and this booklet was decisive for James and Ellen White in their acceptance of the Sabbath truth in the winter of 1846 (J. White 1868:269).11 Hans K. LaRondelle, LaRondelle Articles and Lectures (Bradentown, FL: Barbara LaRondelle, 2015), 64. the leadership realized they need to keep the Sabbath. Then they ask “When do we keep/start the Sabbath?” So they decide to start at 6:00 pm until 6:00 pm. for about a decade they do this.

J. N. Andrews does a study on the Sabbath and recognizes it begins at sundown. So the church recognizes the Sabbath from sundown to sundown.

Same with tithing. “Systematic Benevolence” giving, offerings. Once again, (11 years later) J. N. Andrews does his research on the Sanctuary and realizes that tithing (it was not an antiquated system) So the SDA church adopted the system of Tithing.

The same is true about the Trinity. Many folks do not realize the dynamic nature of our church. SDA have always been bible centered in their theology and doctrine. They rejected a “static creed” and have sought to study because they viewed truth as “continually unfolding”

New truth NEVER overrides Old truth, but deepens and broadens their understanding.

in our study today we will look at the Bible and SOP to see who is the Holy Spirit?

We will look at 3 things:

Is the HS a personal being or an impersonal force?

Is the HS a divine member of the Godhead?

What are the implications of rejecting Him as a personal and divine Being?

Lets start with the text John 14:15-17

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Here we find Jesus using the pronouns,” He, and Him” when discussing the HS. Thus, introducing Him as a personal being. But it doesn’t end here, from John 14-16 Jesus refers the HS, 24 times as “He or Him” So if Jesus did not believe that the HS was NOT a person, why would He have spoken that way?

Why not say “it?” Wouldn’t that been much clearer? Instead, Jesus uses “He and Him”

But our Saviour is not the only one who does this. The bible writes say:

Holy Spirit has knowledge 1 Cor. 2:11

Holy Spirit has a will 1 Cor. 12:11

has a mind Romans 8:27

has love Romans 15:30

communes with us 2 Cor 13:14

can be grieved Ephesians 4:30

can be resisted Acts 20:23

He speaks Acts 8:29

He teaches Luke 12:12

He reveals Luke 2:26

Testifies Acts 20:13

He Searches 1 Cor. 2:10, 11

He sends Acts 13:2

He guides Acts 8:29

He declares things to come John 16: 13

He can be blasphemed to Heb 10:29

He can be lied to Acts 5:3, 4

These words point to a personal being. the SOP echoes this:

The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, in Christ's name. He personifies Christ, yet is a distinct personality. MS 20 324.2

and we need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds MS 66 1899 p. 11

The Holy Spirit is a free, working, independent agency. Sign of the Times March 8, 1910

Paul, Luke, John, Matthew and EGW all attribute personal qualities to the HS.

To take away the personality of the HS, and divest Him of all personal qualities is the very basis of Pantheism. (doctrine which identifies God with the universe)

This thought is found in many eastern religions and in the new age movement of today. The believers of these religions try to tap into this power to use it, instead of allowing this personal Being to use them.

Why is this important? Over 200 years ago, the Adventist denomination was shaken by a Pantheistic movement by Dr. John H. Kellogg in a book titled The Living Temple. He was a prominent leader in the church but lost his way. EGW called it the Alpha apostacy. Could it be that such a development was a result from the long held view of Arianism in the church.

That the HS was not to be understood as a person in the Godhead, but as a divine influence or force. This view opened the door to the Alpha.

Later EGW saw that this apostacy would shake the church again but worse. She called it the Omega apostacy.

Very interesting that as the Omega is gripping our church, Arianism is making its way back into our church.

When I first left the State of Maine, it was to go through Vermont and Massachusetts, to bear a testimony against these sentiments. Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God. 

The scriptures and SOP both bear witness that the HS is a personal being.

Question 2, Is He a divine member of the Godhead?

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 uses the Greek word Allos means-

another, or

A Greek-English Lexicon ἄλλος

one besides what has been mentioned, either Adj. or Pron.: when Adj., its Subst.

Jesus was to lead His disciples but He would petition to His Father, to send one who was like Jesus to remain with the disciples forever!

When Jesus left, it wad Jesus and the Father that sent the HS to us. Jesus, who is in Heaven can be with every single one of us, through the HS.

Acts of the Apostles p. 52.1 The nature of the Holy Spirit is a mystery. Men cannot explain it, because the Lord has not revealed it to them. There are things about the HS that we don’t understand, and we never will. What the Bible does reveal, whether we get it or not, we have to accept. What God has revealed, He expects us to embrace.

But to go beyond what God has revealed is to place oneself in jeopardy.

Church family, the safest place to be is where the Word is. Whatever the position God reveals in scripture, whether you understand it or not. If you stand with it, you are on solid ground.

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:”

All three are named as authoritative.

Isaiah 6:1–3 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.”

That is a throne room scene, take a look at another throne room scene.

Revelation 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

Why not repeat it 7, 12, or 40 times?

Acts 5:3,4

American Standard Version Chapter 5

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the

The bible does speak or the HS as a subordinate impersonal spirit to God the Father and Son but here the scriptures refer to Him as God.

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. Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

At some point, we have been on the wrong side on our pursuit of following Jesus, we are confronted with the reality that we are wrong. However, when we realize this and confess our error to God, He is quick to forgive our error.

When we recognize our error, heaven registers that as a victory.  If you’re wrestling with this, know that I’m praying for you. That your church is praying for you.

The danger comes when we study scriptures to prove our own ideas, instead of coming as students and letting the HS teach us His ideas! That is the key! We have to come with humility, because at the end, this book will judge us.

You know that Elder Mark Finley studies his bible on his knees, with humility.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, powers infinite and omniscient, receive those who truly enter into covenant relation with God. Bible Commentary vol. 6 p. 1075.5

MS 44 1898 Christ gave His representative, the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God.69Evangelism, 616, 617. FLB 52.3

Why am I quoting so much of EGW? Because some say the SOP teaches that the HS is not part of the Godhead and not a person.  In the few quotes we’ve read, does the SOP say the HS is a person? Has a personality? Is a free working independent agency? Is a member of the three living persons of the heavenly trio? Is the 3rdPerson of the Godhead? Is this the vocabulary of someone that doesn’t believe that the HS is not part of the Triune?

Question 3- What are the Implications for rejecting the Holy Spirit as a person and the 3rd member of the Godhead?

In order to answer this question, we have to understand the work and role of the HS.

John 16:8 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

By the way, the plan of salvation is explained in three-parts (sin, righteousness and judgement)

The HS is the One who taps on the shoulder and says “you shouldn’t be doing that” and He says “This is what you should be doing”

John 16;13,14 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

When you’re studying the bible or hear a sermon and get that “aha moment” it’s not the preacher but the HS that is working in you.

Part of the job the HS does is to show us “sacred truth” and reveals bible prophesy and brings us Jesus!

If you want to know Jesus, the HS is the one that teaches us about and reveals Jesus to us!

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Aren’t you glad that you don’t have to be an eloquent person when praying, but that the HS “understands the intent of your heart and translates that and delivers it perfectly to the throne of grace!!! The HS does the translating for us! Delivers for us what we would say if we knew how and what to say!

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies [d]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Is there a resurrection for you IF the HS isn’t in you? NO

It is vital to be filled with the HS

The Holy Spirit:

Convicts- John 16:8-11

Converts- John 16:8-11

Guides- John 16:13

Reproves- John 16:8

Teaches- John 14:26, Luke 12:12, 1 Cor. 2:13

Watches- Romans 8:16

Witnesses- Romans 8:16

Intercedes- Romans 8:26,27

Enables-Romans 8:26,27

Comforts- 2 Cor. 1:3,4 John 14:26

Helps illuminate- 1 Cor. 2:10-16

Transforms- 2 Cor. 3:18

Sanctifies- 1 Cor. 6:11

Unifies- Ephesians 4:4-6

Strengthens- Ephesians 3:16

He implants grace and reveals and impresses truth. He imparts the very life of Christ and restores the image of God in the soul. He illuminates the mind and fosters spiritual growth, molds the character, energizes the life, activates the conscience, inspires the scriptures and speaks them, He applies to individuals the atoning sacrifice of calvary, he enables Christians to bear the fruits of the Spirit in their lives, he selects and fits men for service, qualifies them with powerful witnessing, he imparts various gifts of the Spirit, and He equips the church for service.  

Now, if you were the devil, you got to knock this out. You have to shut Him down.  If you were the devil, wouldn’t you want to diminish the power of the Holy Spirit?!?

Is it any wonder why the devil is working so hard to eliminate the HS as a personal member of the Godhead? You see, each member of the Godhead plays a critical role in the plan of salvation. Remember I mentioned earlier the plan of salvation is broken into three parts!

The Father chaired the meeting and gave the Gift, Jesus is the Gift, and the Holy Spirit gives us access to that Gift!!!

Its all three, we have to have all three in order for the plan of salvation to work in our lives

DA p. 671.2 The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer.

The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit. Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers—No. 10 p. 37

ince the ministry of the Holy Spirit is of vital importance to the church of Christ, it is one of the devices of Satan, through the errors of extremists and fanatics, to cast contempt upon the work of the Spirit and cause the people of God to neglect this source of strength which our Lord Himself has provided. GC vii 4

Now we know the source of the attach on the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we are finished. We need all three.

John 14:17 there is a warning for all of us.

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another [e]Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him;