The Spirit of God

So far we have seen that for Jesus to be with us in spirit the biblical way isn’t talking about us traveling by a disembodied spirit, like the spiritualists on a flying carpet. We have no separate entity within us that can leave us at death. Our spirit is not an individual entity, but a God-given faculty of our mind.

We don’t have spirits that leave our bodies, and neither does our Creator have such a Spirit. To us His Spirit comes from afar; but, really it is the Father and His reunion with us within His sphere of influence, a sphere of influence that spans the universe. Thus, within His omnipresent, omnipotent sphere of influence we live and move and have our being. As our Sun is able to keep Pluto in its gravitational grasp, so does the Father of all give life to all of His creatures and hold His universe within  the parameters of His will. His Spirit can enter us, abiding in us if we want Him, moving in sync with His will, and our hearts vibrating with His eternal love. His Spirit is the way we can interact with Him. Thus, Ezekiel said that the Spirit took him and brought him to different places of the holy land.

“Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from His place. I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days. And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.… And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and He said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee. Then I arose, and went forth into the plain.” (Eze. 3:12-17,22-27).

We must ask, Did Ezekiel speak to anyone while he was in ancient Telaviv? No, he was shown something there and taught something, but he made no communication with anyone. That is because it was all a vision for his instruction. The same thing happened again a year later.

“And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of His loins even downward, fire; and from His loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. And He put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north.” (Eze. 8:1-5).

See also Ezekiel 9 and 10. If Ezekiel spoke while he was in vision, only the people immediately around him heard what he said. He had no ability to communicate out of thin air to people who he saw in vision, neither in their hearing nor inside their minds. Only the “Father of spirits” (Heb. 12:9) has that power. This is identical to the experiences we read from Ellen White in her visions. What she saw of workers in Europe or leaders back in Battle Creek Jesus revealed to her mind. She never left the places where she was while the dreams or the visions were in progress. All communications to them came later in person or by postage.

God gave Ellen White Himself when He gave her His Spirit

As the divine endowment--the power of the Holy Spirit--was given to the disciples, so it will today be given to all who seek aright. This power alone is able to make us wise unto salvation and to fit us for the courts above. Christ wants to give us a blessing that will make us holy. "These things have I spoken unto you," He says, "that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11. Joy in the Holy Spirit is health-giving, life-giving joy. In giving us His Spirit, God gives us Himself, making Himself a fountain of divine influences, to give health and life to the world.  {7T 273.1} 

Brother and Sister Loveland, December 13, 1850.)  {1MR 31.4} 
     Friday, March 19, 1896, I arose early, about half past three o'clock in the morning. While writing upon the fifteenth chapter of John, suddenly a wonderful peace came upon me. The whole room seemed to be filled with the atmosphere of heaven. A holy, sacred presence seemed to be in my room. I laid down my pen and was in a waiting attitude to see what the Spirit would say unto me. I saw no person. I heard no audible voice, but a heavenly watcher seemed close beside me. I felt that I was in the presence of Jesus. The sweet peace and light which seemed to be in my room it is impossible for me to explain or describe. A sacred, holy atmosphere surrounded me, and there was presented to my mind and understanding matters of intense interest and importance. A line of action was laid out before me as if the unseen presence was speaking with me. The matter I had been writing upon seemed to be lost to my mind and another matter distinctly opened before me. A great awe seemed to be upon me as matters were imprinted upon my mind. Ms 12, 1896, p. 1. (Untitled Manuscript, March 20, 1896.)  {1MR 32.1} 

I knelt by my chair to pray, feeling disheartened in reference to my journeying. Many appointments were before me. I had not uttered a word when the whole room seemed filled with a soft, silvery light, and my pain and disappointment and discouragement were removed. I was filled with comfort and hope and the peace of Christ. "My peace will I give unto you." I knew it was upon me. The presence of Jesus was in the room. Genesis 28:12-15. I could better understand the meaning of these words: "And Jacob . . . said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." And he was in a desolate wilderness.  {MR1033 58.1} 
     Indeed heaven seemed very near to me, and my heart was filled with joy and gladness. I had no inclination to sleep. I wanted to feast upon the heavenly manna, that bread of life that if we eat thereof we shall live forever. What a night that was to my soul! Every breath was prayer mingled with praise to God.--Ms. 44, 1890, pp. 5-6 (Diary 16, p. 289).  {MR1033 58.2} 

The word

“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Eph. 2:16,17).

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17).

When Jesus preaches via prophets, the spirit “speaketh expressly”. But, His testimony isn’t limited to the spoken word. His word must entail much more. Much of heaven’s spoken communications, even from the Son of God, entered the ears, but went no further.

“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.…

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.…

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.” (Matt. 13:9,12,14).

“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 

Yet hath he not root in himself.” (Matt. 13:19-21).

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11).

Without argument, the spoken word and the word sensed aurally, is a most effective and powerful. But, the greatest aspect of “the word” is not communicated via the movement of mouth for the eardrum or the movement of pen in hand for the pupil of the eye. Not in the clashing of the natural world, as Elijah expected, but in the indications sensed within the mind, does God speak. The word does not manifest by photons bouncing off ink or by sound’s vibrations in the air. But rather the real word exists in the thoughts of the heart of sender and receiver. The scientific research should inquire, What does the word do in the human mind?

The mind is where the word of truth, the Spirit comes into play. The intellect, the soul, the conscience, all in the frontal lobe or the heart/spirit, is where, and by what means, judging takes place—our judgment of God’s righteousness and His judgment of our righteousness. Therefore, it is in the heart/spirit that the Spirit is most involved. In “the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter” (Rom. 2:29) or any other post-Eden invention.

It is the heart and spirit that God’s Spirit can convict and humble, and thus He can discern who are His true children. The word working in concepts that together originate only from the Father through Christ, the conceptualizations of truth taking place in the mind, is recreating His Edenic  race, as Jesus revealed. “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20,21).

So preaching is essential. Studying is essential. The audible and visual are important. But, we must remember that neither the spoken or written word is the whole “word” by which the Spirit works. They are simply the holy receptacles, the anointed repositories for the Spirit to abide in and to work through. Crucifying truth, the Spirit’s convicting energy, is where the power of God dwells, rather than in fancy linotype or cursive handwriting or fluff stuffed in theatrical eloquence.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. ” (1Cor. 1:17-21).

There can be a correct place for stimulating the senses with such beauty. God appreciates the beautiful. But, we should never mistake essence and substance for the cosmetic and optional.

But, the ministering spirits and, more so, God Himself through Christ, deal in truth, as They merge Their Spirit with ours. When that occurs, only truth is utilized, which is the stuff of speech and letters, in His actual work of creation and redemption. He dispenses with speech and letters, which articulate the truth, the actual communicated stuff of speech and letters. Truth entering within minds being remade in God’s image, is where the Spirit is, and is what the Spirit is.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; … the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63).

As seen in the parallelism of Gabriel’s explanation, the Holy Spirit of the Most High is the quickening “power of the Highest” (Luke 1:35) working in conjunction with the “Son of the Highest” (vs. 32). “One God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1Cor. 8:6). “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:6). “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Rom. 11:36). And the Spirit is God’s powerful means for working with the “creature [‘creation’]” (Rom. 8:20-22), whether in the angelic, or human, or animal mind.

“Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: 

Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. 

Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat? 

With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 

With Him is wisdom and strength, He hath counsel and understanding. 

Behold, He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.” (Job 12:7-14).

“And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?... Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day?” (Num. 22:28,30).

The Spirit is also God’s powerful means for working in, or on the molecules of inanimate nature. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being”, “Of whom are all things, and we in Him”. (Acts 17:28; 1Cor. 8:6). Even there we see the work of God’s Spirit through His word.

“God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Matt. 3:9).

 “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40).

The Word of Wisdom was our Creator. Thus, the Son who was “in the beginning with God”, is “I Wisdom”, who was “One brought up with Him [God]: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him; rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and My delights were with the sons of men.” (Prov. 8:30,31).

“When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.” (Prov. 8:24,25).

The word is the automatic response when Creator meets creature, the deliberate actions taking place from the sovereign Creator in and through and upon His dominion, animate and inanimate.

“Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things?” (Isa. 48:13,14).

The Spirit in the divine word works intellectually, spiritually, physically, chemically, molecularly, atomically, sub-atomically. The Spirit-word, works in the vacuum of inter- and intra-galaxic space, as well as between subatomic particles. The Spirit of God, the word of God, works in the covalent bonds of atoms and in the gravitational forces between stars. Nothing of creation escapes the control and upholding by His word, His Spirit.

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath [ruach, “Spirit”] of His mouth.” (Psa. 33:6). “Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit [ruach], they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth.” (Psa. 104:30). “Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit [ruach]? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?” (Psa. 139:7).

His word works in inanimate spiritual natures of men to quicken, or animate, them. He is our Creator and Redeemer; thus we know His Spirit. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph. 2:1,5).

“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2Cor. 3:17). Christ’s Spirit is that divine word of truth, which comes down to us through Moses or Paul, from inspired kings and prophets, and other “able ministers” (2Co 3:6) and which, placed in a willing soul rather than a veiled, blinded soul, works salvation. The word of truth, aglow by the Spirit, has the principle of life, for “the spirit giveth life.” (2Co 3:6).

But, the unregenerate mind and uncircumcised mouth speak words that are not life-giving, such as came from the visitors to Job. Their words are “idle” (Matt. 12:36) words, Christless words, loveless words, solely “of the letter” and void of the Spirit. And “the letter [without the Spirit] killeth” (2Cor. 3:6). It doesn’t “save life”, but destroys it (Luke 6:9). In spite of all their preaching, they will be judged “workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27).

There is substance and power in God’s word. “He that hath My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not My word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:28,29).

God the Father, King of King of kings, and Lord of Lord of lords

I was saddened when I read from the Summer 2018 Inside Report from Amazing Facts, page 4, The President’s Perspective that Amazing Facts put out a new book teaching the Trinity book, Exploring the Trinity, and warning Adventists and non-Adventists to beware of “the resurgence of the teaching that Jesus is a created being and that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than an impersonal force of God.” And then Pastor Doug continues on in the ad to urge his audience, “If you or your church is dealing with this hot topic, you’ll be blessed and strengthened by this brief but thorough and convicting sharing resource.”

Fighting is no fun. I don’t want to have enemies or to make enemies; and I love Pastor Doug. But, I must address a misconception in Pastor Batchelor’s warning.

Three issues in this post contends with Pastor Doug. SDA non-trinitarians do not believe 1) that Jesus was created, 2) that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, 3) that we are explaining the nature of the Holy Spirit.

1) “…that Jesus is a created being and that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than an impersonal force of God”.

No one of the non-trinitarian Seventh-day Adventists refers to Jesus as a created being. That hand-me-down from the apostatizing apostolic church, that accusation birthed from the Church of Rome, is a fearful misconstrual of the remnant non-trinitarian cause and, even if it is an innocent smearing, it is a smearing nonetheless. It alleges an untruth of its opposers.

The Seventh-day Adventist non-trinitarians confess, that there was a time when the Son did not exist. In dateless past ages, “from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2), before “I was brought forth” (Prov. 8:24), the Father existed alone as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality”.

“…Our Lord Jesus Christ: which in His [set time] He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.” (1Tim. 6:14-16).

God the Father, the Lord God Almighty, alone is the self-existent One. And His only begotten Son inherited that divinity and self-existence. The Son was born divine and self-existent, by nature inheriting bonds with His Father God that could never be broken. But the children of His birthing/creating hold eternal life not via inheritance, but by their continued, personal effort to remain connected with God through His Son, through whom they were brought into existence.

Greater than His Son who is King and Lord over all creation, God the Father is the most blessed and the only, highest Potentate, King over the King of kings and Lord of the Lord of lords. This in no way diminishes the greatness of the Son who was called, “one like the Son of man” (Dan. 7:13), “the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:32). But, it does exalt the utmost greatness of “the Most High” (Dan. 7:22), “the Highest” (Luke 1:35), “the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1), “Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come” (Rev. 11:17), the blessed and only Potentate, “Him that sitteth on the throne” (Rev. 5:13), “Him that liveth for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:14), “the Ancient of days” (Dan. 7:9). If you ask me, “How dare you treat the Mighty Son of God that way?” I can only say in return, “How dare you treat the first, greater, Almighty Father of all, that way?”

After much planning and anticipation, eventually the first thing the Father did was to bring forth His only begotten Son, Michael.

“Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?

And again, when He bringeth in the Firstbegotten^G4416 [prōtotokos, “firstborn”] into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.

And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.

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.” (Heb. 1:4-8).

These quotations from the Old Testament, “Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee” (Ps. 2:7), and, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom” (Ps. 45:6), describe the pre-incarnate Michael. By inheritance He obtained a more excellent name—Jehovah—more excellent than the angels because He was “made so much better than” (Heb. 1:4) they. Therefore, later “when He bringeth in the Firstbegotten into the world”, the angels were sent to worship Him. For the love that He had for us God sent His Son to be our propitiation. Therefore, God sent His Son because God already had a Son to send, a unique Son with a unique name by inheritance through birth—Jehovah.

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn^G4416 [prōtotokos, “firstborn”] of every creature:

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:

And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.

For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell.” (Col. 1:15-19).

As Adam was created in Christ’s image, and Eve in Adam’s image, likewise Christ was made in His Father’s image. Therefore, it is that “the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1Cor. 11:3).

After an unknown period of swaddling His Son with His arms, pouring upon Him His attentiveness and joy, loving His first begotten Prototokos, and training Him up in the way that He should go, the Father could then, by His Son, begin the great work of creation. Now His Son, through His Father, would beget—not divine beings, or even divine angels, but holy beings, holy angels and holy corporeal sons on the inhabited worlds.

 “…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.” (Eph. 3:9).

It is a Greek philosophical assumption from the days of the Nicene era, that to say if the Son of God had a beginning, then He mustn’t be divine, but a created being. It is wrong to make such a deduction, and unnecessary to create strife among the brethren by building such an insinuated, wrongly described straw-man of the opposition’s case. The Son of God, being born of divinity was not created, but made divine God, God from God, as divine as His one and only Father is divine.

As God made His Son a High Priest forever, He also made His Son the fullness of the Godhead, a Prince and Mediator since the beginning. But that doesn’t mean that His Son was created. He was the Firstbegotten, the Firstborn, the divine one and only Prototokos. When we look at the Deep Field photograph, and see the 10,000 galaxies packed in a rice grain sized spot in the cosmos, and then we multiply that by tens of thousands of same-sized spots in the spherical azimuth of the cosmos, then one can begin to conceive of how long in the past did the birth of the precious Prototokos take place. “In the beginning” was a long time ago. “The LORD possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.” (Pro. 8:22).

Ellen White wrote that much in her book, Patriarchs and Prophets, and a close reproduction of the same in The Great Controversy (1911):

“The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.’ John 1:1, 2. 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. ‘His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6. His ‘goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.’ Micah 5:2. And the Son of God declares concerning Himself: ‘The Lord possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting.... When He appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.’ Proverbs 8:22-30.” Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 34.

“Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creator’s will. Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,—one in nature, in character, and in purpose,—the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. By Christ the Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings. ‘By Him were all things created, that are in heaven,... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers’ (Colossians 1:16); and to Christ, equally with the Father, all heaven gave allegiance.” The Great Controversy, p. 493.

Yet, the Father was greater than the Son, because He was before Him. And the Son wouldn’t have it any other way.

2) Let me explain concerning Pastor Doug’s statement of the non-Trinitarians, “the Holy Spirit is nothing more than an impersonal force of God”. I don’t see the Bible teaching the Holy Spirit like that, and neither have I heard that from other proponents of the Father and Son Godhead.

The “impersonal force of God” doctrine exists in all the world religions. Protestant Christianity is the only true religion because it reveals the Creator as a being, a personal God. The Spirit of God—that is, the all-powerful, all-compassing, ever-present union of the Father and Son—takes Their infinite bond to the uttermost limits of Their created universe. Hear this prayer of David to Jehovah.

“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD^H3068 [Y^ehôvâh], Thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.” (Ps. 139:4-10).

“Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?” (vs. 4), is a parallelism that equates the Spirit of Jehovah with His presence. How sweet is His presence! “…Thy hand [shall] lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me” (vs. 10) is that for which David praised Jehovah Jesus in Psalm 16. It is heaven to be in Jesus’ presence, as it is to be in Jehovah, the Father’s presence.

“I have set the LORD^H3068 [Y^ehôvâh] always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps. 16:8-11).

What David may not have understood was that the One who was coming to Him was Two—the Father and Son.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23).

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Rom. 8:9).

The Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit is Them both. For more evidence for the Father and Son Godhead, continue reading from the website below.

http://trinitytruth.org/ellenwhitethreeholiestbeings.html

“Introduction

Some believe that Ellen White became a Trinitarian based on a few quotes that relate to the Holy Spirit. They mistakenly believe these quotes say the Holy Spirit is a literal person when she actually taught the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God coming to us through His Son.

LeRoy Froom deliberately set out to search over 100,000 pages of her writings (25,000,000 words) for anything that could be mistaken as being Trinitarian. It is now alleged that he was working as a Catholic Priest prior to entering the Adventist Church and some suspect [that he] was a Jesuit.

On the 14 December 1955, Leroy Froom in a letter to Reuben Figuhr wrote, ‘I was publicly denounced in the chapel at the Washington Missionary College by Dr. B. G. Wilkinson as the most dangerous man in this denomination.’

The quote containing the phrase ‘three holiest beings’ was not used by LeRoy Froom because it was not available while he was still alive.

Did Ellen White write, ‘Three Holiest Beings?’

The answer is a definite ‘No.’

Ellen White DID NOT pen these words by her own hand. They were written by a stenographer trying to keep up with a sermon she was preaching.

So while some claim that Ellen White wrote ‘three holiest beings,’ the Ellen White Estate clearly informs us on their web site that Sermons and Talks, Book 1 containing the phrase ‘three holiest beings’ comes from a ‘HIGHLY EDITED’ stenographer’s report of a sermon she preached on October 20, 1906 at the Congregational Church of Oakland, California.

The date of release by the White Estate is ‘March 16, 1976.’ So this was not her handwriting but a typed report from a stenographer that was first published 70 years after her sermon and can never be authenticated.

This is what Ellen White wrote about unauthenticated reports,

‘And now to all who have a desire for truth I would say: Do not give credence to unauthenticated reports as to what Sister White has done or said or written. If you desire to know what the Lord has revealed through her, read her published works.’ — (Ellen G. White, 5T 696.1)

The statement appears in the book Sermons and Talks, Book 1.

In the forward of the book we are told,

‘All the messages reproduced in this volume were delivered in public and stenographically reported, or were prepared with that purpose in view. Many of Ellen White’s sermons may be found in the Review and Herald and Signs of the Times, but nearly all of those included in this series have been drawn from previously unpublished manuscripts, as they appear in our files. So, although there were no tape recorders in Ellen White’s day, a person may get the true “feel” of Ellen White as a speaker by reading this book.’ — (Forward, Sermons and Talks, Vol. 1)

Ellen White taught that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God coming to us through His Son and so she wrote.

‘The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST; it is His representative.’ — (Ellen G. White, 13MR 313.3, 1895)

‘CHRIST has left HIS HOLY SPIRIT to be HIS representative in the world,’ — (Ellen G. White, Lt84, October 22, 1895)

‘The HOLY SPIRIT is the SPIRIT of CHRIST, which is sent to all men to give them sufficiency,’ — (E.G. White, 14MR 84.3)

‘We want the HOLY SPIRIT, which is JESUS CHRIST.’ — (Ellen G. White, Lt66, April 10, 1894)

‘But it is the leaven of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST, which is sent down from heaven, called the HOLY GHOST,’ — (Ellen G. White, Ms36-1891)

Not only did she identify the ‘Holy Spirit’ as the ‘Spirit of Christ,’ but she always identified ONLY two beings ALONE, not three. So if Ellen White had said or written ‘three holiest beings’ then she would have contradicted herself making herself a false prophet.

Note that she wrote ALONE and ONLY.

‘The Father and the Son ALONE are to be exalted.’ — (Ellen G. White, The Youth’s Instructor, July 7, 1898) — ONLY TWO BEINGS.

Did she say the Father, Son and Holy Spirit ALONE are to be exalted? No she did not!

And again, ‘God and Christ ALONE know what the souls of men have cost.’ — (Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, January 13, 1909) — ONLY TWO BEINGS.

‘God informed Satan that to his Son ALONE he would reveal his secret purposes, and he required all the family in heaven, even Satan, to yield him implicit, unquestioned obedience;’ — (Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, January 9, 1879) --- ONLY TWO BEINGS

‘Can anyone consider the condescension of God in preparing the gospel feast, and its great cost, and treat the invitation slightingly? No man, nor even the highest angel, can estimate the great cost; it is known ONLY to the Father and the Son.’ — (Ellen G. White, The Bible Echo, October 28, 1895) — ONLY TWO BEINGS

If the Holy Spirit was a third co-equal being then it would also know. But since it is the Spirit of Christ, then not so.

‘The ONLY Being who was one with God lived the law in humanity, descended to the lowly life of a common laborer, and toiled at the carpenter’s bench with His earthly parent.’ — (Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, October 14, 1897) — ONLY TWO BEINGS

‘CHRIST the Word, the only-begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father, one in nature, in character, and in purpose, the ONLY being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. By Christ, the Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings.’ — (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 493) — ONLY TWO BEINGS

In more than one quote Ellen White identified the three highest beings in heaven before the fall as the Father, Son and Satan. Not the Father, Son and Holy Spirit since the Holy Spirit is not a being. ‘Satan, next to Christ, was at one time most honored of God, and highest in power and glory.’ — (Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, July 23, 1902)

So that facts are:

1.              Ellen White did not pen the words ‘three holiest beings.’

2.              The words of the stenographer are not inspired.

3.              The sermon was not transcribed for another 70 years.

4.              The stenographer’s report was highly edited.

5.              The stenographer’s report can never be authenticated.

6.              The words ‘three holiest beings’ contradicts a multitude of things she did write.

7.              Sermon and Talks was only intended to get the ‘feel’ of Ellen White as a speaker.

Picking out statements from Ellen White’s writings that would fit into a Trinitarian concept of God while ignoring her statements that do not fit the Trinitarian concept of God is a dishonest way to use her writings. To understand correctly what God has revealed through Ellen White, and find out what her beliefs were on this topic, it is necessary to quote all that she wrote on this subject, not just be selective in what we quote to suit our own agenda. That would be tantamount to deception.”

3) Addressing the third issue: Pastor Doug is incorrect that SDA non-trinitarians are attempting to explain the nature of the Holy Spirit. Rather, they are explaining its identity.

The following is the Amazing Facts overview of their book, Exploring the Trinity, referred to at the top of this blog post:

https://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/news/item/id/20542/t/exploring-the-trinity--a-new-book-by-pastor-doug-batchelor

“…But what is the nature of that close relationship?

Is God the Father the only “one God”—or is the Son, Jesus, God too? If so, do Christians worship more than one God? Is that not polytheism, as some suggest? Is God the Father superior to Jesus? Did Jesus come after the Father? Was there a time when the Father but not Jesus existed?

And what about the Holy Spirit? Is He God too? If so, do Christians worship three gods, as some claim we do? And just what or who is the Holy Spirit? How are we to understand the Holy Spirit in relationship to the Father and the Son? Is the Holy Spirit divine, or merely an impersonal force emanating from God?

From the early days of the Christian church to this very day, the subject of the Trinity has caused contention in the church. And no wonder, the church is made up of fallen, finite beings trying to grasp the nature of a perfect and eternal God. Even if God weren’t a triune being, it would be difficult to understand the full nature of God, a being who “spoke” the world into existence. How do we even begin to grasp His power and personhood, Trinity or no Trinity?...”

There is sufficient biblical evidence to convince the honest student that the Spirit is not a person, but a divine faculty, a creative-redemptive power, a dynamic love from the Almighty. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” (Eze. 36:26). However it works that that powerful love, ever flowing from the Father, changes hearts and seals them for eternity, it is a mystery and will be our study and wonder for eternity. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24).

One Sabbath after another, one new moon after the next, year after year, age after age will stand still in the wonder of it all. If eternity would not be everlasting it would be too short because of all that the peace and rest will offer the redeemed.

“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.” (Jer. 23:24).

“Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.” (Isa. 48:13).

“Thousands of years after Jesus left the planet, Christians are still asking questions and disagreeing about the topic of the Trinity. For instance, some Christians take what is known as an “Arian” position regarding the Trinity. This view claims that Christ hasn’t always existed; after He was brought forth, however, His divinity was given to Him by the Father. If this view were true, it would mean that Jesus is inferior to the Father. Many today are now trying to resurrect these views, arguing that the doctrine of the Trinity comes from pagan Rome, an example of how Protestant churches have been infected by Roman Catholicism. Hence, all the more reason we need to reject, they argue, the Trinity.”

To that I will let quotations give their answers.

“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome.” Great Controversy, p. 588.1

Any connection with a false doctrine of Rome is intoxicating and sedating, and creates a bond of sympathy with her to be drawn into her snares. “No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.” (Luke 5:39).

  

“‘I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.’ ‘And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.’ Revelation 18:1, 2, 4.

    This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14 (verse 8), is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844.” Great Controversy, p. 603.

The Sabbath was proclaimed during the third angel’s message. More than the Sabbath truth will be declared during the fourth angel of Revelation 18:1-5. The apparently innocuous Trinity “additional corruption” entered the Advent Movement in 1919. During the final preaching the Trinity will be exposed for all of its connection with pagan religion.

“The Trinity is… the central doctrine of the Christian religion.” Catholic Encyclopedia article: “The Blessed Trinity”

  

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as a university professor, was known to teach that, more than Sunday sacredness, the Trinity forms the foundation of Catholicism.

Is Jesus the Spirit?

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed Him.” (Matt. 9:9).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1).

Is walking after the Spirit the same as obeying Jesus’ command to follow Him?

I ask the title’s question in the effort to understand Romans 8. Heretofore I have often compared verse 1 with verse 9 of that chapter. Both verses being in the same context, scripture can more honestly interpret scripture without the need for exegesis. Verse 9 defines “the Spirit”.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Rom. 8:9). His? His whose? The Spirit? Christ? Both Spirit and Christ? Is the Spirit of Christ the Spirit of God the Father?

The next verse is also helpful here.

“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Rom. 8:10).

Isn’t the Spirit in the newborn Christian, according to the new covenant promise of Ezekiel 36:26 and Colossians 1:27? Christ is in the new heart also, according to Romans 8:10. It’s Christ who indwells the Christian until the redemption of his body. In fact, Paul seems to indicate that the Spirit in us is the result of Christ being in us. The Spirit can’t give life until the body is dead. In other words, Paul couldn’t have the experience of walking after the Spirit with its attendant subjection to the Law of God, until he died to the work of obeying the Law absent the help of Jesus. As he said,

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. ” (Rom. 7:24,25).

With a new mind, according to the Ezekiel 36:26 promise and according to the “spiritual mindedness” of Romans 8:6, Paul could serve God through obedience to His Law of righteousness. But, with “the flesh” (Rom. 8:1), i.e. to have the old mind and to be “carnally minded” (vs. 6), all Paul could serve was the law of sin.

G5427

φρόνημα

phronēma

fron’-ay-mah

From G5426; (mental) inclination or purpose: - (be, + be carnally, + be spiritually) mind (-ed).

“For they that are after the flesh do mind^G5426 the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [do mind^G5426] the things of the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:5).

G5426

φρονέω

phroneō

fron-eh’-o

From G5424; to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): - set the affection on, (be) care (-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind (-ed, regard, savour, think.

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:4).

So the message is that before anyone can be sanctified they need a new heart, mind, and spirit—i.e. to be justified.

But, what about “the Spirit”? Is “the Spirit of God”? Does that refer to a name of a deity? Like “the Holy Ghost”? There appears to be a bit of prejudice in the choice of that title, since “the Holy Ghost” only appears in the New Testament, especially in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. But the Spirit shows up in both Testaments. I understand that King James was a domineering, hard-liner, Knoxist Evangelical who wanted to separate the old and new covenant provisions by dividing the Old from the New Testaments by the entrance of a new divine manifestation for the benefit of the new church. So, the king forced his translators into the use of “Holy Ghost” in many New Testament instances when the word, pneuma, was the only word used by the apostolic writers throughout the New Testament. And throughout the Bible, the words for “spirit” were “Spirit^G4151” pneuma and “Spirit^H7307” ruach were exact counterparts for Koine Greek and Masoretic Hebrew, respectively.

So, “Spirit^G4151” was not new to the New Testament. And as far as a new divine manifestation or deity goes, why in Romans 8:9 does Paul connect the Spirit to the Father and Son? And why make it sound like both Father and Son are the Spirit? The Christian is in the Spirit if the Spirit of God and Christ are (is?) in him.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Rom. 8:9).

And,

“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.” (Rom. 8:11).

It was God who raised His precious Child from the dead.

“But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:14,15, cf Acts 4:10; 13:30; Rom. 10:9; Col. 2:12; 1Pet. 1:21).

It was the Father, not a third deity.

“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;)” (Gal. 1:1).

Because, as we all know, “God [‘the Father’ (vs. 21,23)] is a Spirit” (John 4:24). And Jesus was a Spirit also. “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.” (1Cor. 15:45). Being a Spirit is why Jesus could suddenly appear like heavenly ministering spirits do by the order of the Father.

“And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” (John 20:26, cf vs. 19).

Jesus was present through His Father’s Spirit like Paul could be in the Corinthians’ business meeting (see 1 Corinthians 5:3,4), and at the speed of thought He could be present in a glorified body.

So, back to today’s study. Our opening scripture says that we walk after the Spirit, and we also follow after Jesus. If this is speaking of the same act of following, can there be a connection between Jesus and the Spirit? In light of our first scriptural proof in this post from Romans 7 and 8, that the Spirit is the Father and the Son, it could be very likely that to follow after the Spirit means to follow after Christ who dwells in us by His quickening Spirit.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk^G4043 not after^G2596 the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1).

In Paul’s great, opening statement on his science of obedience, to “walk^G4043… after^G2596” means more than locomotion. It has a figurative application: to “live”, to “deport oneself”. This has to do with seeking to imitate the Spirit, in life and in actions.

G4043

περιπατέω

peripateō

per-ee-pat-eh’-o

From G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): - go, be occupied with, walk (about).

G2596

κατά

kata

kat-ah’

A primary particle; (preposition) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined): - about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to, touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, [charita-] bly, concerning, + covered, [dai-] ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from . . . to, godly, in (-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), . . . by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-) on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through (-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-) to (-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where (-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution or intensity.

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, Follow^G190 Me. And he arose, and followed Him.” (Matt. 9:9).

The word, “Follow” in Matthew’s call doesn’t immediately seem to match with Romans 8:1 “walk^G4043… after^G2596”. According to the Strong’s number ^G2596 it means simply to walk on a road together with somebody else: “to be in the same way with, that is, to accompany (specifically as a disciple)”.

But, Jesus did also apply the word figuratively.

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow^G190 Me.” (Matt. 16:24).

G190

ἀκολουθέω

akoloutheō

ak-ol-oo-theh’-o

From G1 (as a particle of union) and κέλευθος keleuthos (a road); properly to be in the same way with, that is, to accompany (specifically as a disciple): - follow, reach.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. 

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. ” (Matt. 16:25-27).

So, the way Jesus used G190 was the same as Paul did—spiritually. Jesus said to follow Him was to copy Him by denying self, and taking up the cross as He was determined, at some future point, to do. It involved the disciple’s “works” that would be rewarded at His second advent.

So, we see how this worked out. They became like Jesus.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;… 

But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1Cor. 1:27,30).

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13).

Jesus had taught them to fear God, which would give them wisdom, a wisdom that was even wiser than the leaders who were worldly wise.

“And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endureth for ever.” (Psa. 111:10).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction…. 

For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 

They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. ” (Prov. 1:7,29,30).

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” (Psa. 34:11).

“My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; 

So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 

Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Prov. 2:1-6).

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10).

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” (Prov. 15:33).

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (Jas. 1:5).

“I have seen an end of all perfection: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad. 

 O how love I Thy Law! it is my meditation all the day. 

Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. 

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts. 

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word. 

I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou hast taught me. ” (Psa 119:96-102).

Following Jesus, the disciples’ language became pure and refined like His.

“And after a while came unto him [Peter] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth [betrays] thee. Then began he to curse and to swear….” (Matt. 26:73,74).

“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shall be his friend.” (Prov. 22:11).

“That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” (Psa. 144:12).

To follow was to follow Jesus’ lead.

“And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that He went through the corn fields; and His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.” (Luke 6:1).

So, they could follow Jesus’ pattern because they could see Him, they could watch Him. And similarly, the requirement of the Spirit is to conform in the life, the deportment. But, how can we follow or deport an invisible Spirit? How can we copy someone who we have never seen, neither can ever see? By beholding we become changed.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18).

But, who is the Spirit? None other than the Lord Jesus Christ, our best Friend. “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2Cor. 3:17).

In the presence of Christ the disciples had perfect freedom to copy Him in every way, or to fail but not lose His acceptance of them. That’s freedom. And that is how little children learn so quickly to be like their parents in every particular—the gate, the colloquialisms, the thoughts, mannerisms, etc. the children know that their parents love them, and would never separate from them because of failures to give immediately a perfected copy of their parents.

The Spirit has no pattern to watch and hear, to touch and be touched, who we love and by whom we can be loved. All change comes from love. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1Jn. 5:4).

It’s through faith in His love that we change. It’s by beholding that we become changed into His image. It’s the visible pattern that Jesus left in the written word, and His Spirit communications, that teach us and perfect us, even as the Father is perfect.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 

(For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 

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. ” (1Jn. 1:1-3).

“But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 

And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 

If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 

 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. ” (1Jn. 2:27-3:3).