Lesson # 1, Second Quarter 2006, The Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit

[Clive Nevell]

The Holy Spirit.

"Introduction.

"God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. 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 Father and the Son 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." —Seventh-day Adventists Believe . . .(2nd ed.) (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press® Publishing Association, 2005), p. 69.

Even the quickest reading of Fundamental Beliefs, number 5, should awaken us to the importance of the Holy Spirit to our faith. Indeed, we couldn't be Christians without Him and His work in our lives. Christ's accomplishments for us become efficacious only through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and claim His righteousness instead of our own filthy rags or when we determine through the grace of God to put away sin and live in obedience to God's law—we are responding to the Holy Spirit and nothing else.

The Bible mentions the Holy Spirit more than three hundred times: more than one hundred times in the Old Testament and more than two hundred in the New Testament. Thus, how worthy of study the Holy Spirit is, especially now when every wind of doctrine is blowing, even in regard to the Holy Spirit Himself. Some question His personhood and/or His divinity. Others emphasize the work of the Spirit and His gifts (or what they claim are His gifts), while they pay scant attention to the obedience and sanctification that are the undeniable fruit of the Spirit's work in our lives. All this needs to be looked at in light of the Word of God.

Seventh-day Adventists should be most interested in becoming personally acquainted with the Spirit. We believe not only in Christ's death for our sins but also in His intercession for us in the heavenly sanctuary. Only the Spirit can apply the results of that intercession to our lives in anticipation of Christ's return.

Because it was the Spirit who inspired the writers of the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:21), when the Spirit speaks today, He will speak in accordance with His own inspired messages. Anything not in conformity with the Bible, must therefore emanate from some source other than the Holy Spirit. We are told to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1, NIV), and in the end the only sure standard for that test is the Bible itself.

Though these lessons will present a doctrinal picture of the Spirit, they also will emphasize the daily and practical aspect of His work in our lives, for the Spirit is the Divine Agent for reaching sinful humanity. His workings are as unchartable as mountain breezes; yet, the powerful reality of His work is manifested not only in our personal experiences but in the life and power of the church. Thus, we deal extensively with the vivifying power of the Spirit as we seek to present the Spirit as God's regenerating Agent. He alone can breathe upon us the life-changing breath of our Lord—a truth so fundamental to being a Christian.

May the Lord bless us as we seek not only to understand the work of the Holy Spirit but to know more about how to receive His promises in order that, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, we "might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:19).

The late Arnold V. Wallenkampf, Ph.D., a Swede, worked in the church for decades as a pastor and a professor, and before retirement was an associate director of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists." (Taken from the Lesson Study Guide)

Clive

[Clive Nevell]

The Personality and Divinity
of the Holy Spirit

Memory Text:    

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).  

Clive

[Clive Nevell]

Sabbath Afternoon

Genesis 1:2 NASB 2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Genesis 1:2 NKJV 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Revelation 22:17 NKJV 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Clive

[Richard Myers]

It has seemed to me that to ignore the presence of the Holy Spirit and to not seek Him, is akin to what the Jews did to Jesus when He came bearing the truth.

[ren]

You're correct Richard. I think some fear in Adventist circles is to not go to the extremes seen in some churhes, especially Charismatic.

But the Bible and SOP are both clear that without our lamps filled with the Golden Oil we cannot make it through the end times. We may have the appearance that we will, but we only be met by failure.

I think more than ever we need to pray for an clearer or understanding of the the Third Person of the Godhead and not only that but to pray His fruit may be manifested in our lives and character like Christ.

Looking forward to the quarterly...

~Ren

[Richard Myers]

Amen, Brother Ren.

Yes, I have seen this aversion to the Holy Spirit by some. They are fearful of the counterfeit and therefore do not seek Him who it is that is speaking to the heart. Sad indeed to not know what He is doing.

The work of the Holy Spirit is not to be a mystery to us. We ought to understand very clearl what He does and our need of Him.

[Clive Nevell]

Evangelism, pp. 614-615

Positive Truth Versus Spiritualistic Representations. --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 is 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." {Ev 614.1}

All these spiritualistic representations are simply nothingness. They are imperfect, untrue. They weaken and diminish the Majesty which no earthy 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 fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. {Ev 614.2}

The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be "the express image of His person." "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have (p. 615) everlasting life." Here is shown the personality of the Father. {Ev 614.3}

The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers --the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ.-- Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. (1905) {Ev 615.1}

The Pre-existent, Self-existent Son of God.--Christ is the pre-existent, self-existent Son of God.... In speaking of his pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God. He to whose voice the Jews were then listening had been with God as one brought up with Him.--Signs of the Times, Aug. 29, 1900. {Ev 615.2}

He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent. . . . He is the eternal, self-existent Son.--Manuscript 101, 1897. {Ev 615.3}

From Everlasting.--While God's Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it also speaks decidedly regarding His pre-existence. The Word existed as a divine being, even as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with His Father. From everlasting He was the Mediator of the covenant, the one in whom all nations of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, if they accepted Him, were to be blessed. "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." Before men or angels were created, the Word was with (p. 616)

God, and was God.--Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. {Ev 615.4}

Christ shows them that, although they might reckon His life to be less than fifty years, yet His divine life could not be reckoned by human computation. The existence of Christ before His incarnation is not measured by figures.--Signs of the Times, May 3, 1899. {Ev 616.1}

Life, Original, Unborrowed, Underived.--Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life." In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived. "He that hath the Son hath life." The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life.--The Desire of Ages, p. 530 (1898) {Ev 616.2}

With the Father at Sinai.--When they [Israel] came to Sinai, He took occasion to refresh their minds in regard to His requirements. Christ and the Father, standing side by side upon the mount, with solemn majesty proclaimed the Ten Commandments.--Historical Sketches, p. 231. (1866) {Ev 616.3}

The Eternal Dignitaries of the Trinity.--The eternal heavenly dignitaries--God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit--arming them [the disciples] with more than mortal energy, . . . would advance with them to the work and convince the world of sin.--Manuscript 145, 1901. {Ev 616.4}

Personality of the Holy Spirit.--We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.--Manuscript 66, 1899. (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.) {Ev 616.5}

Clive

[Clive Nevell]

Personality of the Holy Spirit.--We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.--Manuscript 66, 1899. (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.) {Ev 616.5}

Growing up right near Avondale and and at the time not even realising the importance of things as a young person and now going back and seeing what takes place makes you wonder just how much spirituality there is left in the place.

On the bright side of things, "There is always room for improvement"

Clive

[Sister Marie]

 Third Person of the Godhead

    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14. {FLB 52.1}

    We need to realize that the Holy Spirit . . . is as much a person as God is a person. . . . {FLB 52.2}

    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. {FLB 52.3}

    The Holy Spirit is a free, working, independent agency. The God of heaven uses His Spirit as it pleases Him; and human minds, human judgment, and human methods can no more set boundaries to its working, or prescribe the channel through which it shall operate, than they can say to the wind, "I bid you to blow in a certain direction, and to conduct yourself in such and such a manner." {FLB 52.4}

    From the beginning God has been working by His Holy Spirit through human instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purpose in behalf of the fallen race. . . . The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic church effective, has upheld God's faithful children in every succeeding age. {FLB 52.5}

    The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He {Jesus} could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. {FLB 52.6}

    The Holy Spirit is an effective helper in restoring the image of God in the human soul.
                                                                           53
{FLB 52.7}

[Clive Nevell]

The Ministry of Healing, p. 422

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may (p. 422) 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." John 17:20, 21. {MH 421.5}

The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one. {MH 422.1}

Character of God Revealed in Christ Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity, and at the same time to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone able to reveal the character of the Deity to mankind. He was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of men; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was a stranger and sojourner on the earth--in the world, but not of the world; tempted and tried as men and women today are tempted and (p. 423)

tried, yet living a life free from sin. Tender, compassionate, sympathetic, ever considerate of others, He represented the character of God, and was constantly engaged in service for God and man. "Jehovah hath anointed Me," He said, "To preach good tidings unto the poor; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives," "And recovering of sight to the blind;" "To proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor; . . .To comfort all that mourn." Isaiah 61:1, A.R.V., margin; Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:2, A.R.V. {MH 422.2}

Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV 4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

Clive

[M.A. Crawford]

"It's much easier to think of the Holy Spirit not as God Himself but as some sort of impersonal force, some divine energy and power, such as gravity, that comes from God and prevades the world." (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, Teacher's Edition, 2nd Quarter [April - June, 2006], p. .

This quote is taken from Monday's Lesson entitled "The Holy Spirit: Part 1," which is a part of Sabbath School Lesson #1 entitled "The Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit." I believe that the reason why the concept of the Holy Spirit being God is such a difficult one for many people to believe is because (1) people believe what they choose to believe based upon criteria THEY HAVE CHOOSEN TO ESTABLISH for their own particular belief system, and (2) religious beliefs that clash with the Bible do so because, more often than not, they are not based upon the Word of God.

There are several, but for the sake of brevity, I will take just a few texts of Scripture to clearly show why the Holy Spirit is a real Person, and not some wisp of energy or power as some apparently choose to believe:

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 7, 8.

FROM JESUS' OWN WORDS, He says of the Comforter that He will send "HIM"!!! Not It!! In verse 8, Christ says of the Holy Spirit that "when HE is come...," and "HE will reprove...." THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A REAL PERSON!!!

"There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1 John 5:7.

And to make sure THERE IS NO MISTAKE as to whom the Saviour has reference to in John 16:7 and 8, Jesus says in verse 13:

Howbeit WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH is come, HE will guide you into all truth for HE shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you all things to come." John 16:13. Emphasis mine.

A real person can "guide," "speak," "hear," and "shew"--or demonstrate and make clear--as the Holy Spirit is described as doing in John 16:13, as He guides us into all truth. Therefore, FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SEE, it should be quite clear from the foregoing texts of Scripture that the Holy Spirit is indeed a real Person: The Third Person of the Godhead (1 John 5:7). As a result, it is very, very difficult for me to understand how anyone who claims to be a Christian AND BELIEVE IN THE WORD OF GOD could believe otherwise.

M.A.  

[Clive Nevell]

Ellen G. White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 1052-1053

This is the work in which we also are to be engaged. Instead of living in expectation of some special season of excitement, we are (p. 1052) wisely to improve present opportunities, doing that which must be done in order that souls may be saved. Instead of exhausting the powers of our mind in speculations in regard to the times and seasons which the Lord has placed in His own power, and withheld from men, we are to yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit, to do present duties, to give the bread of life, unadulterated with human opinions, to souls who are perishing for the truth. {6BC 1051.5}

Satan is ever ready to fill the mind with theories and calculations that will divert men from the present truth, and disqualify them for the giving of the third angel's message to the world. It has ever been thus; for our Saviour often had to speak reprovingly to those who indulged in speculations and were ever inquiring into those things which the Lord had not revealed. Jesus had come to earth to impart important truth to men, and He wished to impress their minds with the necessity of receiving and obeying His precepts and instructions, of doing their present duty, and His communications were of an order that imparted knowledge for their immediate and daily use. {6BC 1052.1}

Jesus said: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent." All that was done and said had this one object in view--to rivet truth in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting life. Jesus did not come to astonish men with some great announcement of some special time when some great event would occur, but He came to instruct and save the lost. He did not come to arouse and gratify curiosity; for He knew that this would but increase the appetite for the curious and the marvelous. It was His aim to impart knowledge whereby men might increase in spiritual strength and advance in the way of obedience and true holiness. He gave only such instruction as could be appropriated to the needs of their daily life, only such truth as could be given to others for the same appropriation. He did not make new revelations to men, but opened to their understanding truths that had long been obscured or misplaced through the false teaching of the priests and teachers. Jesus replaced the gems of divine truth in their proper setting, in the order in which they had been given to patriarchs and prophets. And after giving them this precious instruction. He promised to give them the Holy Spirit whereby all things that He had said unto them should be brought to their remembrance. {6BC 1052.2}

We are in continual danger of getting above the simplicity of the gospel. There is an intense desire on the part of many to startle the world with something original, that shall lift the people into a state of spiritual ecstasy, and change the present order of experience. There is certainly great need of a change in the present order of experience; for the sacredness of present truth is not realized as it should be, but the change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for His blessing, by pleading with Him for His power, by fervently praying that His grace may come upon us, and that our characters may be transformed. This is the change we need today, and for the attainment of this experience we should exercise persevering energy and manifest heartfelt earnestness. We should ask with true sincerity, What shall I do to be saved? We should know just what steps we are taking heavenward. {6BC 1052.3}

Christ gave to His disciples truths whose breadth and depth and value they little appreciated, or even comprehended, and the same condition exists among the people of God today. We too have failed to take in the greatness, to perceive the beauty of the truth which God has entrusted to us today. Should we advance in spiritual knowledge, we would see the truth developing and expanding in lines of which we have little dreamed, but it will never develop in any line that will lead us to imagine that we may know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in His own power. Again and again have I been warned in regard to time-setting. There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on time. We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ (RH March 22, 1892). {6BC 1052.4}

8 (John 15:26, 27). A Gift Unexcelled.--Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth, He would bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him, and those (p. 1053) who should believe on Him. What gift could He bestow rich enough to signalize and grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the third person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, that converting, enlightening, and sanctifying power, would be His donation. . . . {6BC 1052.5}

Christ longed to be in a position where He could accomplish the most important work by few and simple means. The plan of redemption is comprehensive; but its parts are few, and each part depends on the others, while all work together with the utmost simplicity and in entire harmony. Christ is represented by the Holy Spirit; and when this Spirit is appreciated, when those controlled by the Spirit communicate to others the energy with which they are imbued, an invisible chord is touched which electrifies the whole. Would that we could all understand how boundless are the divine resources (SW Nov. 28, 1905). {6BC 1053.1}

The Holy Spirit Gives Divine Authority.--Jesus says, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me." It is the union of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of the living witness that is to warn the world. The worker for God is the agent through which the heavenly communication is given, and the Holy Spirit gives divine authority to the word of truth (RH April 4, 1893). {6BC 1053.2}

8, 9. See EGW on ch. 2:1-4. {6BC 1053.3} 9 (Ps. 24:7-10; 47:5, 6; 68:17, 18; Eph. 4:. Christ Ascended as King.--[Ps. 47:5, 6; 68:17, 18 quoted.] Christ came to earth as God in the guise of humanity. He ascended to heaven as the King of saints. His ascension was worthy of His exalted character. He went as one mighty in battle, a conqueror, leading captivity captive. He was attended by the heavenly host, amid shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song. . . . {6BC 1053.4}

Only for a few moments could the disciples hear the angels' song as their Lord ascended, His hands outstretched in blessing. They heard not the greeting He received. All heaven united in His reception. His entrance was not begged. All heaven was honored by His presence. . . . {6BC 1053.5}

The seal of heaven has been fixed to Christ's atonement (MS 134, 1897). {6BC 1053.6}

9-11 (Luke 24:50, 51). Full Glory of Ascension Veiled.--The most precious fact to the disciples in the ascension of Jesus was that He went from them into heaven in the tangible form of their divine Teacher. . . . {6BC 1053.7}

The disciples not only saw the Lord ascend, but they had the testimony of the angels that He had gone to occupy His Father's throne in heaven. The last remembrance that the disciples were to have of their Lord was as the sympathizing Friend, the glorified Redeemer. Moses veiled his face to hide the glory of the law which was reflected upon it, and the glory of Christ's ascension was veiled from human sight. The brightness of the heavenly escort and the opening of the glorious gates of God to welcome Him were not to be discerned by mortal eyes. {6BC 1053.8}

Had the track of Christ to heaven been revealed to the disciples in all its inexpressible glory, they could not have endured the sight. Had they beheld the myriads of angels, and heard the bursts of triumph from the battlements of heaven, as the everlasting doors were lifted up, the contrast between that glory and their own lives in a world of trial, would have been so great that they would hardly have been able to again take up the burden of their earthly lives, prepared to execute with courage and faithfulness the commission given them by the Saviour. Even the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, which was sent to them, would not have been properly appreciated, nor would it have strengthened their hearts sufficiently to bear reproach, contumely, imprisonment, and death if need be. {6BC 1053.9}

Clive

[Clive Nevell]

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 530

When we follow plans of the Lord's devising we are "laborers together with God." Whatever our position-- whether presidents of conferences, ministers, teachers, students, or lay members--we are held accountable by the Lord for making the most of our opportunities to enlighten those in need of present truth. And one of the principal agencies He has ordained for our use is the printed page. In our schools and sanitariums, in our home churches, and particularly in our annual camp meetings, we must learn to make a wise use of this precious agency. With patient diligence, chosen workers must instruct our people how to approach unbelievers in a kindly, winning way, and how to place in their hands literature in which the truth for this time is presented with clearness and power. {CT 530.1} Only by the aid of that Spirit who in the beginning "was brooding upon the face of the waters;"

of that Word by whom "all things were made;" of that "true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (Genesis 1:2, R.V., margin; John 1:3, 9), can the testimony of science be rightly interpreted. Only by their guidance can its deepest truths be discerned. Only under the direction of the Omniscient One shall we, in the study of His works, be enabled to think His thoughts after Him. {CT 530.2}

Clive

[Richard Myers]

"There is certainly great need of a change in the present order of experience; for the sacredness of present truth is not realized as it should be, but the change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for His blessing, by pleading with Him for His power, by fervently praying that His grace may come upon us, and that our characters may be transformed."

How shall this "grace" come upon us? And, what does it mean to have a character that has been "transformed"?